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There are many types of hay produced across Australia, with different qualities and purposes for each. Some types are best suited to feed livestock, while some are better suited for other purposes as they don’t provide much nutritional value.

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Published:

November 19, 2024

Last Updated:

June 20, 2025

Author/s:

Sarah Smith

Michael Mitchell

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Hay is cultivated and produced all over Australia, but one of the best growing regions in the country is Western Australia. The state produces approximately 48% of the exported hay in the country. One of the most common hays produced in the region is oaten hay.

Qualities of Hay

Oaten and lucerne hay is well regarded by farmers for its fibre content, energy value, and palatability for livestock. These features are incredibly important for ruminants, like cattle, deer, sheep, and goats, as their digestive systems are unique.

The quality of the hay they eat will help in their digestion process and provide them with the highest amount of nutrients. When buying hay for feeding purposes, some qualities to look for include a good aroma and colour, sugary taste, and a fine texture. These qualities will make the hay more appealing and palatable for livestock.

Every hay is different though and offers different qualities and nutritional values. Oaten hay is generally preferred for use as fodder for dairy cows. This is because it is highly digestible for them. For example, oaten hay is high in water soluble carbohydrates (around 25%), so it provides cattle, and in particular dairy cows, with an instant source of energy.

If you’re feeding hay to livestock, you will need an effective system so that there is minimal wastage and livestock are getting the most benefit and nutrients from the feedings.
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Hay Feeding Methods

If you’re feeding hay to livestock, you will need an effective system so that there is minimal wastage and livestock are getting the most benefit and nutrients from the feedings. This is why many farms rely on hay bale feeders.

Feeders are made to accommodate different types of baled hay, such as large square hay bale feeders, and streamline the feeding process. They work by using mechanisms to automatically feed out bales, removing some of the manual labour involved and making it much more efficient and effective to feed larger mobs of cattle.

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Qualities of Hay

Oaten and lucerne hay is well regarded by farmers for its fibre content, energy value, and palatability for livestock. These features are incredibly important for ruminants, like cattle, deer, sheep, and goats, as their digestive systems are unique.

The quality of the hay they eat will help in their digestion process and provide them with the highest amount of nutrients. When buying hay for feeding purposes, some qualities to look for include a good aroma and colour, sugary taste, and a fine texture. These qualities will make the hay more appealing and palatable for livestock.

Every hay is different though and offers different qualities and nutritional values. Oaten hay is generally preferred for use as fodder for dairy cows. This is because it is highly digestible for them. For example, oaten hay is high in water soluble carbohydrates (around 25%), so it provides cattle, and in particular dairy cows, with an instant source of energy.

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Disclaimer: LocalAg has prepared this content based on our own industry experience. This content should not be considered complete or expert advice. We encourage you to talk to experts, do your own research and make your own decisions. LocalAg will not be held responsible for decisions made and actions taken as a result of information in this article.

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