Do you know what you're feeding your horses this winter?

North Carolina, as well as many other parts of the country, have been experiencing unseasonably high temperatures and drought this spring/summer.  While this may not seem like an issue now, hay producers are concerned that they will not be able to put up as many horse quality bales this year as they have in the past.  

You may have noticed that the price of hay (like everything else) has been creeping up.  Increased cost of fuel and fertilizer have caused these price increases.  Add in drought conditions and the lack of supply could drive the price even higher this fall.  

Hay varieties that do well in the heat, such as Bermuda grass and alfalfa will be more plentiful, but are not usually recommended for maintenance consumption by horses.  Grass hays such as orchard grass and timothy that are preferred by horse owners need cooler temperatures and have suffered the most during this drought.    

To avoid the stress of searching for quality hay this winter, start buying and storing hay now if you have enough dry storage.  Round bales can be more cost effective if you have the storage space and feeding capabilities.  

Remember that not all hay is created equally.  If you're buying from a new producer, or if you're concerned about the nutritional content of hay you've been buying for years, consider having your hay tested.  Contact your local Extension Office to ask about this service.  Quality is always more important than quantity.  Testing can make sure your hay is worth the price you're paying.  This article by University of Minnesota Extension can help interpret hay analysis results.    

Another tip to save money on hay is to pick it up directly.  Feed store and delivered hay can be more expensive due to additional fees.  Consider picking up your hay directly from the producer.  This can give you the option to negotiate a lower price.  If you are a smaller farm, consider splitting a trailer load with a neighbor.  

We all want to be sure our horses are eating the best, most nutritious forages possible, but we also want to have enough money in our budget to feed ourselves.  Planning now could save you a lot of money, time, and stress this fall.