Running Arrow Bill
Well-known member
Buying hay is always a crap shoot, unless you know for sure about its origin and quality.
Two, 2.5 years ago we were needing hay and our regular contacts around here couldn't supply the quality we needed. We went to a supplier in a neighboring State (Not Okla). The first load was fine. We ordered additional loads. When cattle started having problems with condition, we tested hay and it was in the 5 to 8% protein level. We had to supplement with local alfalfa.
Several months later our #1 Stallion started losing condition, developed allergies, etc. Had him tested. Nothing showed up. After losing more weight, took him to a major Equine Hosp for thorough evaluation. Not much found, except possibly not "utilizing" the hay. Later, had couple of cows die rather quickly. Then, one of our bulls started having problems. Later, a mare went blind and lost condition. None of other animals had problems. Took stallion to another Equine hosp. They found probably cancer and mass around his heart. Ran some other tests (and we did some of our own research).
We discovered that this hay supplier had allegedly acquired "his" hay for resale from a producer that had applied a toxic herbicide to the hay crop and didn't wait the needed period of time before baling the hay. Our animals that died were highly suspect by lab tests, etc., to have had a high sensitivity to that herbicide and there was nothing that could be done to save them.
Ultimately the bull in question recovered with good hay. However, both the Stallion and that mare had to be put down...no matter how much they ate they couldn't maintain weight. The mare went blind. The stallion last month was blind in one eye, significant weight loss, was becoming ataxic and had to be put down.
The ultimate caveat: Know your hay supplier and how they grow their hay!
Since then, we found a very good supplier in our region who is honest and is a livestock person. Protein levels are high, and pre-emergents are not used.
Bill
Two, 2.5 years ago we were needing hay and our regular contacts around here couldn't supply the quality we needed. We went to a supplier in a neighboring State (Not Okla). The first load was fine. We ordered additional loads. When cattle started having problems with condition, we tested hay and it was in the 5 to 8% protein level. We had to supplement with local alfalfa.
Several months later our #1 Stallion started losing condition, developed allergies, etc. Had him tested. Nothing showed up. After losing more weight, took him to a major Equine Hosp for thorough evaluation. Not much found, except possibly not "utilizing" the hay. Later, had couple of cows die rather quickly. Then, one of our bulls started having problems. Later, a mare went blind and lost condition. None of other animals had problems. Took stallion to another Equine hosp. They found probably cancer and mass around his heart. Ran some other tests (and we did some of our own research).
We discovered that this hay supplier had allegedly acquired "his" hay for resale from a producer that had applied a toxic herbicide to the hay crop and didn't wait the needed period of time before baling the hay. Our animals that died were highly suspect by lab tests, etc., to have had a high sensitivity to that herbicide and there was nothing that could be done to save them.
Ultimately the bull in question recovered with good hay. However, both the Stallion and that mare had to be put down...no matter how much they ate they couldn't maintain weight. The mare went blind. The stallion last month was blind in one eye, significant weight loss, was becoming ataxic and had to be put down.
The ultimate caveat: Know your hay supplier and how they grow their hay!
Since then, we found a very good supplier in our region who is honest and is a livestock person. Protein levels are high, and pre-emergents are not used.
Bill
