DRIED FORAGES
Once the crop has been cut and picked up from the field by forage harvester, it is taken immediately to the dehydration plant. Any delay at this point will seriously compromise the integrity of the final product. The fresh green forage is then dehydrated within the rotating drums of the ‘Grass Drier’ which takes about 20 minutes. It is then quickly cooled and pressed into 300kg (approximately) bales, ready for storage in our barns. A very simple and efficient process which produces a superior product ready for a variety of uses, and ready for processing into premium quality horse feeds. The process ensures that the dried forage is clean, dust and mould free so suitable for horses and ponies that are sensitive to dust and mould spores.
We offer a variety of dried forages, including:
Ryegrass: RyeGrass is one of the most familiar, well known and favoured forage grasses for horses, having been used for many years. It likes cool, temperate climates so makes an ideal crop to for us to grow, harvest and dehydrate for use in the feeding of horses. The quality nutrient specification and high digestibility makes it imminently suitable to form the basis of the diet of horses in all levels of work or rest.
Fescue: Fescue grass is deep rooted and relatively drought and heat tolerant compared to its near relative, RyeGrass. Fescue is native to Europe, parts of Asia and North West Africa. It has been introduced to North & South America, New Zealand, South Africa and Southern Australia, because of its value as a forage crop. Fescue is very digestible with the nutrient content of the grass being greater than 60% available.
Timothy: Timothy Grass got its name from a farmer (Timothy Harrison) who in the 18th century recognised the value of this variety of grass for cattle and horses. The moderate protein levels found in Timothy grass is extremely suitable for the feeding of horses. It looks similar most other grasses with upright stalks and slender leaves which tend to sheathe the stalk instead of branching out. The seed heads are fat and tight. Horses seem to like the taste of Timothy grass and conserved well is suitable forage for all classes of horses.
Alfalfa: Alfalfa is widely grown throughout the world as a forage crop for cattle and is most often harvested as a hay. The production of quality Alfalfa hay is difficult to achieve in the UK climate. With the installation in the UK of purpose designed forage dehydration units, the production of premium quality dried Alfalfa is now possible. This has lead to the reintroduction of Alfalfa as a forage crop for horses, which is most often fed in its dehydrated form. Alfalfa has the highest feeding value of all preserved forage crops. It is like other legumes, a nitrogen-fixing plant; its roots containing bacteria like Rhizobium which has the ability to fix nitrogen, producing high-protein feed regardless of the available nitrogen in the soil. Such a plant contributes to the energy and environmental challenges of our times. The Alfalfa grown by and for Fox Forages is carefully managed to ensure the best dehydrated crop possible is produced.
Sainfoin: Sainfoin is a perennial legume used for forage production. It originates from Europe, parts of Russia & Asia and is a non-bloating legume. Sainfoin is palatable to Horses, Sheep, Cattle, Goats, Alpacas & Llamas and all commonly farmed animals. Although perhaps not widely grown in the UK as yet, Sainfoin is considered to be one of the healthiest forage plants available and this is demonstrated by its wide usage across Europe and America. It provides bloat-free forage for many animals which is a huge advantage over other legumes such as clovers and alfalfa that may occasionally cause an issue. As an added advantage, it seems only a relatively small quantity of Sainfoin in the diet is required to prevent bloat. Additionally, Sainfoin is a valuable forage source for many equines due to its good quality protein, high fibre and low sugar levels. It is particularly beneficial for those that are fussy about traditional grass based forages, those that are working harder or breeding stock that need a higher nutritional quality forage. It also provides another option for horses where an Alfalfa intolerance is suspected.
We offer a variety of dried forages, including:
Ryegrass: RyeGrass is one of the most familiar, well known and favoured forage grasses for horses, having been used for many years. It likes cool, temperate climates so makes an ideal crop to for us to grow, harvest and dehydrate for use in the feeding of horses. The quality nutrient specification and high digestibility makes it imminently suitable to form the basis of the diet of horses in all levels of work or rest.
Fescue: Fescue grass is deep rooted and relatively drought and heat tolerant compared to its near relative, RyeGrass. Fescue is native to Europe, parts of Asia and North West Africa. It has been introduced to North & South America, New Zealand, South Africa and Southern Australia, because of its value as a forage crop. Fescue is very digestible with the nutrient content of the grass being greater than 60% available.
Timothy: Timothy Grass got its name from a farmer (Timothy Harrison) who in the 18th century recognised the value of this variety of grass for cattle and horses. The moderate protein levels found in Timothy grass is extremely suitable for the feeding of horses. It looks similar most other grasses with upright stalks and slender leaves which tend to sheathe the stalk instead of branching out. The seed heads are fat and tight. Horses seem to like the taste of Timothy grass and conserved well is suitable forage for all classes of horses.
Alfalfa: Alfalfa is widely grown throughout the world as a forage crop for cattle and is most often harvested as a hay. The production of quality Alfalfa hay is difficult to achieve in the UK climate. With the installation in the UK of purpose designed forage dehydration units, the production of premium quality dried Alfalfa is now possible. This has lead to the reintroduction of Alfalfa as a forage crop for horses, which is most often fed in its dehydrated form. Alfalfa has the highest feeding value of all preserved forage crops. It is like other legumes, a nitrogen-fixing plant; its roots containing bacteria like Rhizobium which has the ability to fix nitrogen, producing high-protein feed regardless of the available nitrogen in the soil. Such a plant contributes to the energy and environmental challenges of our times. The Alfalfa grown by and for Fox Forages is carefully managed to ensure the best dehydrated crop possible is produced.
Sainfoin: Sainfoin is a perennial legume used for forage production. It originates from Europe, parts of Russia & Asia and is a non-bloating legume. Sainfoin is palatable to Horses, Sheep, Cattle, Goats, Alpacas & Llamas and all commonly farmed animals. Although perhaps not widely grown in the UK as yet, Sainfoin is considered to be one of the healthiest forage plants available and this is demonstrated by its wide usage across Europe and America. It provides bloat-free forage for many animals which is a huge advantage over other legumes such as clovers and alfalfa that may occasionally cause an issue. As an added advantage, it seems only a relatively small quantity of Sainfoin in the diet is required to prevent bloat. Additionally, Sainfoin is a valuable forage source for many equines due to its good quality protein, high fibre and low sugar levels. It is particularly beneficial for those that are fussy about traditional grass based forages, those that are working harder or breeding stock that need a higher nutritional quality forage. It also provides another option for horses where an Alfalfa intolerance is suspected.