Hay

It's pretty simple really. We take the surplus grass that grows in the fields and cut and bale it in the summer so that it becomes useable as food or bedding for animals.

You can see us in farmers' fields across the world, long rows of golden bales waiting to be collected. But what does it take to produce these bales and what exactly is in them?

The haymaking process begins with growing grass in the field. Hay is usually made from a mixture of grasses and legumes, such as alfalfa and clover. The grass is cut when it is at its peak nutritional value, which is typically when it is about two feet tall.

Once the grass is cut, it is allowed to wilt in the field for a few days. This helps to dry out the grass and make it more pliable.

Once the grass is wilted, it is baled. Baling is the process of compressing the grass into small, square or round bales. The bales are then stored in a barn or other dry, protected area to prevent them from spoiling.

Hay is a good source of fiber, protein, and vitamins for animals. It is also a relatively low-cost feed source.

The nutritional value of hay depends on the type of grass used, the stage of maturity at which it was cut, and the way it was stored. Hay that is cut early in the season and stored properly will have a higher nutritional value than hay that is cut late in the season and stored poorly.

Hay is used for a variety of purposes, including:

• As a food source for animals
• As bedding for animals
• As a mulch for plants
• As a roofing material
• As a fuel

Hay production can have a number of environmental benefits, including:

• Reducing soil erosion
• Improving water quality
• Providing wildlife habitat
• Reducing greenhouse gas emissions