Hay Forage Comparison
A practical look at the forages we grow on our farm—and how each fits in our land.
Whether you're feeding horses, finishing cattle, or building a mixed feed program, the forage you choose matters. Here's how our five common Eastern Washington pasture/hay crops stack up nutritionally—and which ones actually thrive in our 12–18″ precipitation band around the Reardan/Edwall area.
Nutritional Comparison
Crude protein, energy (TDN), calcium, and relative feed value for good-quality hay cut at appropriate maturity.
| Forage | Crude Protein | TDN (Energy) | Calcium | Relative Feed Value |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Timothy | 7–11% | 55–60% | 0.4–0.5% | Moderate |
| Orchard | 10–14% | 58–65% | 0.3–0.5% | High |
| Canary | 10–17% | 55–62% | 0.3–0.4% | Moderate to High |
| Meadow Brome | 12–16% | 60–65% | 0.4–0.6% | High to Very High |
| Alfalfa | 18–25% | 60–68% | 1.2–1.8% | Very High |
Timothy
- Crude Protein
- 7–11%
- TDN (Energy)
- 55–60%
- Calcium
- 0.4–0.5%
- RFV
- Moderate
Orchard
- Crude Protein
- 10–14%
- TDN (Energy)
- 58–65%
- Calcium
- 0.3–0.5%
- RFV
- High
Canary
- Crude Protein
- 10–17%
- TDN (Energy)
- 55–62%
- Calcium
- 0.3–0.4%
- RFV
- Moderate to High
Meadow Brome
- Crude Protein
- 12–16%
- TDN (Energy)
- 60–65%
- Calcium
- 0.4–0.6%
- RFV
- High to Very High
Alfalfa
- Crude Protein
- 18–25%
- TDN (Energy)
- 60–68%
- Calcium
- 1.2–1.8%
- RFV
- Very High
Note: Values vary considerably with cutting stage—early vs. late maturity makes a huge difference. The ranges above reflect good-quality hay cut at appropriate maturity.
Key Practical Differences
What each forage actually looks like in the field and how it performs.
Timothy
The gold standard for horses—especially mature horses and easy keepers—because it's lower in sugars/calories and high in fiber. Slow to mature, so it holds quality longer in the windrow.
In the field: Cool-season bunchgrass with a very distinctive cylindrical, spike-like seed head (looks like a long, narrow cattail or pipe cleaner) that sets it apart from the others. Stems are upright with a swollen bulb-like base called a “haplocorm.” Leaves are flat, smooth, and grayish-green. Grows 20–40 inches tall in our fields.
Commands premium horse-hay prices when cut at the right maturity stage.
Orchard Grass
More palatable than timothy and has higher protein when cut at the right stage, but it matures faster, so timing is critical. Better regrowth.
In the field: Cool-season bunchgrass that grows in distinct clumps or tufts. The seed head is the giveaway: open, branched panicles with clusters of spikelets bunched at the tips of branches—almost like a chicken's foot. Leaves are wider than timothy, V-shaped in cross-section, with a flattened sheath at the base. Bluish-green color, grows 24–48 inches.
Popular for both horses and cattle; horse owners increasingly choose it over timothy.
Canary Grass
Reed canary can be tall and coarse, growing 3–6 feet, and is the yield champion of this group (3–6 tons/acre dryland). The only forage here that genuinely thrives on wet, poorly drained, or seasonally flooded ground. Stand longevity is exceptional at 20+ years.
In the field: The catches: quality drops off a cliff if you miss the cutting window (boot to early heading), palatability is lower than the others even with modern low-alkaloid varieties.
Probably best fit for cattle operations on a budget.
Meadow Brome Grass
Arguably one of the best-adapted forage grasses for Eastern Washington. Drought-tolerant (handles the 12–18-inch precipitation band), winter-hardy, and produces excellent regrowth for fall pasturing—an advantage over its smooth brome cousin. More palatable than smooth brome to both cattle and horses.
In the field: Originally introduced from Turkey and developed extensively at the University of Saskatchewan. Fully hardy in zone 5b–6a around Edwall. Tolerates the silt loams and clay loams common in the Palouse, prefers well-drained ground, isn't fussy about pH (5.5–8.0). A well-established stand will produce for 8–15+ years.
Pairs exceptionally well with alfalfa in a mixed hay operation—a popular combination with Inland Northwest cattle producers.
Alfalfa
In a different league nutritionally—roughly double the protein and 3–4 times the calcium of the grasses, thanks to its nitrogen-fixing legume biology. Typically gives 3 cuttings on our dryland—10% bloom is our goal. Adds 100–200+ lbs of nitrogen per acre annually, leaving the field richer for whatever follows.
In the field: Compound leaves with three oval leaflets (trifoliate, like clover), purple flowers when in bloom, and a deep taproot that can reach 6–15+ feet down—which is why it's so drought-resistant once established. Stems are upright, woody as they mature; grows 24–36 inches before cutting. Stand life is shorter (avg 7 years) than the perennial grasses.
Risks: bloat in cattle when grazed wet or fed straight, and too rich for some horses (laminitis, hyperactivity). Serves dairy, feedlot, and high-performance horse markets where protein matters most.
The Mixed-Feed Sweet Spot
For many Eastern Washington ranchers, an alfalfa-grass mix is the best of both worlds.
Typically alfalfa paired with meadow brome, orchard grass, or timothy. A common Inland Northwest blend is 60–70% alfalfa with 30–40% meadow brome or orchard grass. You get:
- Bloat protection. The grass dilutes the alfalfa enough to reduce bloat risk significantly.
- Balanced nutrition. A nutrient profile that suits horse and premium cattle buyers.
- Protein boost. Alfalfa delivers the protein the grass alone can’t.
Suitability Summary
How each forage performs in our 12–18″ precipitation band and Lincoln County soils.
| Forage | Fit for Edwall Area | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Timothy | Good | Well-suited to cool-season climate; premium horse-hay market |
| Orchard | Good | Prefers slightly more moisture than dryland Lincoln County provides; better with irrigation or in wetter pockets |
| Canary | Excellent | Excellent for wet/marginal ground, high yield |
| Meadow Brome | Excellent | Arguably the best-adapted grass for the area |
| Alfalfa | Excellent | Major established crop throughout Lincoln County |
Timothy
GoodWell-suited to cool-season climate; premium horse-hay market
Orchard
GoodPrefers slightly more moisture than dryland Lincoln County provides; better with irrigation or in wetter pockets
Canary
ExcellentExcellent for wet/marginal ground, high yield
Meadow Brome
ExcellentArguably the best-adapted grass for the area
Alfalfa
ExcellentMajor established crop throughout Lincoln County
Curious Which Forage Is Right for You?
We grow these varieties on our Edwall and Reardan area parcels. Get in touch about current inventory, pricing, or to talk through what would work best for your animals.