hay

Also known as grass hay, alfalfa, dried grass

Hay is grass, legumes, or other herbaceous plants that have been cut and dried to be stored for use as animal fodder, either for large grazing animals raised as livestock, such as cattle, horses, goats, and sheep, or for smaller domesticated animals such as rabbits and guinea pigs. Pigs can eat hay, but they do not digest it as efficiently as herbivores do.

AI overview

Hay is dried grass, legumes, or other plants that are stored and fed to animals, ranging from livestock like cattle and horses to smaller pets like rabbits and guinea pigs. It matters because it provides a practical food source for herbivores and other domesticated animals, allowing farmers and pet owners to feed animals during seasons when fresh vegetation isn't available.

AI-generated from the Wikipedia summary — may contain errors.

Wikidata facts

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Commons category: Hay
Commons gallery: Hay
exact match: purl.obolibrary.org/obo/ENVO_00002869

Sources (6)

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~34 min read

Article

17 sections

Contents

Composition
Use
Harvest and transport
History
Early methods
Modern mechanized techniques
Fertilization and weed control
Baling
Stacking
Safety
Mold
Spontaneous combustion
Weight
Chemical composition
See also
References
External links

Hay can be used as animal fodder when or where there is not enough pasture or rangeland on which to graze an animal, when grazing is not feasible due to weather (such as during the winter), or when lush pasture by itself would be too rich for the health of the animal. It is also fed when an animal cannot access any pastures—for example, when the animal is being kept in a stable or barn.