It's long been known that livestock grazing tends to peak in the afternoon. This led researchers to explore whether cutting hay later in the day could boost consumption.

Scientists let the animals try afternoon-cut hay and morning-cut hay before offering both in a side-by-side comparison. Cattle consumed an average of 50 percent more of the afternoon-cut hays. Their preference held true even though the hay offered was from harvests on three different days. The scientists also noted the livestock's top picks among the afternoon hays to make sure cutting time was the key factor in the animals' choices. Each hay underwent 15 comparisons.

One possible explanation: carbohydrate production by plants is at its peak at midday. The animals may remember afternoon-harvested hay is easier to digest and gives them more energy. Other studies have shown animals can be conditioned to choose higher-energy feeds.

Scientific contact: Dwight Fisher, USDA-ARS Plant Science Research, Raleigh, N.C., phone (919) 515-7597, e-mail Dwight_Fisher@ncsu.edu


Source:
"Grazing Animals Prefer Afternoon Hay" by Jill Lee, USDA-ARS News, February 26, 1997