Products → Alfalfa → Sudan → Grasses & Hays → Straws
Straws
Maximizing the Harvest
Most of the products sold by 
are found in the form of hay or straw.
(Click HERE for information about grasses and other hays).
In the case of straw, the crop is grown for the purpose of producing seed. Therefore, the plant is harvested (cut) after the seed has been harvested and at a point in it's maturity when it has exhausted itself on seed production. At this stage, the plant contains considerably less nutritional value. It's primary role in the dairy ration is as a source of roughage since it's protein stores have been spent on seed production. Also, straw is sold by the farmer as a by-product, his primary crop being the seed which was harvested prior to the straw harvest.
Fescue: Festuca arundinacea
Fescu grass is a perennial which is grown almost exclusively for seed. Fescue is sold as a straw which is harvested after the seed harvest in the fall. Fescue straw is a good source of roughage.
Rye: Lolium multiflorum
Rye grass is a perennial which is grown almost exclusively for seed. While some hay is produced in the south, this product is mostly sold as a straw after the seed harvest in the fall. Rye straw is a good source of roughage.
