[Jacob-list] hay preservative/ hay substitute

[Neal and Louise Grose]

I missed this the first time around. We have used propionic acid on our hay that is used for the cows and sheep if we expect it to be damper than we woould like at baling.

There should be no problem with hay sprayed with propionic acid when fed to ruminants. Propionic acid is the primary energy source produced by the rumen, it is like sucrose for simple stomached animals. Propionic acid is sometimes used as a feed supplement for cattle to prevent gorging when feed is provided once or twice a day. (The theory is the same as diets that tell you to eat a small piece of candy BEFORE a meal.)

Neal
"Invention does not consist in creating out of void, but out of chaos" Mary Shelly
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Linda 
  To: jacob list 
  Sent: Sunday, February 05, 2006 5:53 PM
  Subject: [Jacob-list] hay preservative/ hay substitute


  Dave came back from a trip to our primary hay supplier with the news that 1. our supplier is pretty much sold out of hay for the season (gasp!) and 2. he is thinking of spraying the hay with a preservative next baling season.  Dave didn't ask, but I'm guessing that the preservative will be propionic acid, which I understand is the most commonly used spray for hay.  Correct?  Most common safety concerns involve ulceration due to long term exposure to a corrosive substance.  Hmm - most common use for humans is as preservative in bread and other baked goods.  Glad we bake our own.  Does anyone have personal experience with using sprayed hay?  If he sprays, I don't plan to use his hay both because I'm not really comfortable with the preservative and because the increased price will price it beyond my budget.  I really like this hay, even though it's pricey by the bale, it's cheaper by the pound.  It's heavy bales of Russell Bermuda - never has a bit of mold or dust - and the sheep eat every single bit.  

  I've been utilizing alfalfa pellets and cubes rather heavily this year.  They are expensive, but are readily available and there is no waste.  

  Linda
   
  www.patchworkfibers.com
  Registered Jacob Sheep, Angora Rabbits, Handspun Yarn


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