[Jacob-list] Alfalfa pellets

[ARTHUR PARTRIDGE]

--Linda wrote:

>I just got a bag of Blue Seal "Horse Hay Stretcher Lpel" last week.

Ingredients are listed as: dehydrated alfalfa meal, wheat >middlings, soy
hulls, cane molasses, calcium carbonate. 11.5% min crude protein, 2.0 % min
crude fat, 20% max crude fiber, >>calcium .8 - 1.3%, and phosphorus min
.45%.
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I wondered if they listed ingredients on the bag.  That's good they add the
calcium carbonate, that would make it a good source of calcium for ewes and
rams/wethers.  In fact, a high ratio of Ca/P helps prevent urinary calculi
in the rams and wethers.  That ratio is about 1:0.5.  I know that doesn't
make sense, 'calculi' sounds like there is too much calcium in the diet. 
It is the ratio that is important plus lots of drinking water.  We don't
have that brand here, I think I will buy a bag and see what's listed.  What
about vitamins?  Fresh alfalfa has several vitamins in it, these start to
disappear when the alfalfa is old, after a year or two.  I wonder if they
are still available in the pellets.  Maybe you have to supplement to get
vitamins A and E.  Thanks for sharing the information, in case we also have
a hay shortage.
Cathy
Moscow, Idaho