Fodder King Lucerne hay and chaff are produced under strictly controlled conditions which ensure consistently high quality. Only carefully selected properties in Australia's premium lucerne growing regions have been chosen to grow lucerne for Fodder King. Then only the best lucerne stands are selected for baling.
Fodder King staff supervise the growing of the lucerne to minimise the presence of impurities. Then Fodder King carries out the critical mowing and baling phase, using special techniques pioneered by Fodder King. This produces hay of measurably higher quality.
Tests carried out by the NSW Department of Agriculture show that hay produced using Fodder King techniques is of higher average protein and energy content than other lucerne hays.
Why is Lucerne Hay
Important?
High quality lucerne hay provides a natural and well balanced diet for your horse. It is a rich source of protein, energy, minerals, vitamins and long fibre so necessary for your horse's proper digestion.
Fodder King's high protein content relative to grains makes it valuable in the diet of growing animals for the formation of muscle tissue. The high levels of calcium, phosphorus and sulphur rich amino acids results in the development of strong limbs. Fodder King lucerne hay is an ideal food for breeding programs.
For a mature horse, under light work conditions, Fodder King lucerne hay can provide all of its average daily nutritional requirements. However, further energy may be required in the diets of animals under heavier work conditions, and for those growing or lactating. This energy is often provided by the addition of concentrated feeds, to the diet in the form of grains and oils.
It is important that horses have at least 30% by weight of roughage in their diet. Fodder King lucerne is therefore an important part of a horse's balanced diet. As lucerne hay is a dry feed always ensure that
an ample supply of clean drinking water is available.
You should seek the advice of your veterinary consultant when preparing a diet for your horse's particular work regime.
Nutritional Information
High Quality Lucerne Hay
Average
Daily offering to mature
500kg horse
Bale
Data
on maintenance
on Light Work
Weight
Moisture
Dry Matter
(DM)
27kg
18%
22kg
7.3kg
18%
6.0kg
9.8kg
18%
8.0kg
Nutrient
Approx Content of the Average Bale
% Average Daily Allowance for 500kg Mature
horse
on maintenance
on Light Work
Digestible Energy
Crude protein
Potassium
Calcium
Magnesium
*Sulphur
Phosphorus
Sodium
Iron
Manganese
Zinc
Copper
High Quality Lucerne Hay is also a rich source of
Vitamins.
A, E, K, B, D
* The balance of the sulphur requirements in the
diet is provided from the high quality protein with Sulphur rich amino
acids.
What is Lucerne?
Lucerne (Medicago Sativa) or Alfalfa is a green leafy crop similar to clover. It is very high in nutrients and is well noted for its:
high fibre content
high protein content
high mineral content
high vitamin content
high digestibility
good energy
Hay Quality - How to tell the difference
Poor quality hay is typified by:
low leaf content
high levels of foreign matter
large variations in moisture, content
high leaf loss
poor shelf life
dustiness
musty smell
Making quality hay is dependent on producing lucerne of the correct moisture content at baling time. Too dry and hay is stalky and dusty with low leaf content. This means low food value and low value for money. Dusty feed can make horses susceptible to catarrh and hay fever.
Too wet and the hay heats during storage and becomes mouldy, shortening the storage life. Excessively mouldy hay can induce colic in horses.
A heavy bale is not necessarily a quality bale, as the weight can vary widely with moisture content. It can be a danger sign that the bate was too moist when baled. A key bay quality factor is the dry matter content.
Fodder King bales hay in the optimum band of moisture conditions.
Fodder King - Guarding Your Animal's Health
Using advanced farming techniques Fodder King's lucerne growers seek to reduce the use of farm chemicals to a minimum while minimising the incidence in impurities,
In the growing phase, only NSW Department of Agriculture approved sprays are used to reduce weed and other infestations.
In the harvesting phase only non chemical moisture conditioning is employed by Fodder King, This avoids the use of chemical conditioners and mould retardants that may produce allergic reactions in animals.
FODDER KING - THE HIGH QUALITY ALTERNATIVE
To get the best out of performance horses it stands to reason you need performance feed. That means high energy, good protein and a balance of vitamins and minerals - all you need for an elite athlete. The only natural food that provides all this is high quality lucerne hay.
Fodder King lucerne hay is a high quality stock food which has been selected and processed utilising the special Fodder King techniques which ensure high quality and consistency. The lyceum chosen to become Fodder
King hay is of the finest quality, with the minimum of impurities, selected
from properties in Australia's premium lyceum growing areas.
When you choose Fodder King Lyceum Hay you are purchasing a dependable high quality product that is an important ingredient in the healthy diet of prized animals.
Fodder King Grading System
Fodder King lyceum hay is sold by description using both objective (protein and energy test results) and subjective criteria.
This allows you, our client, to specify which grade of hay you want using our standard grading system. This eliminates any confusion and Fodder King can consistently deliver the grade of hay that you specify.
This saves you time and money because you no longer have to ring several farmers to identify what might be good hay and then spend time and money driving around looking at it because the farmers idea of "great hay" might be nothing like yours.
Storage Hints
To maintain the high quality of your Fodder King hay it should be cared for like any other naturally produced food. It is best stored under cover preferably in a shaded, well ventilated shed away from damp surfaces.
Rain and sunlight destroy many of the important naturally occurring minerals and vitamins in hay - especially Vitamin A.
Bale Replacement
Fodder King will replace, when notified at time of delivery, Fodder King products that carry the Fodder King label that do not meet the specified Fodder King standards.
