Mineral content of hay harvested in Bavarian and Swiss horse farms. Predictive value of cutting time, number of cut, botanical composition, origin and fertilization.
Abstract: Hay samples from 29 horse farms in Southern Upper Bavaria and 31 horse farms in Switzerland were taken and analysed for minerals such as calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and potassium. The content of herbs and legumes in the hay was determined and the Weende analysis was performed. Comparison between Bavaria and Switzerland resulted in comparable calcium contents of approximately 4 g Ca/kg dry matter (DM) in grass hay. Hay with more than 10% of herbs and legumes found only in Switzerland showed higher Ca contents of >7 g Ca/kg DM in hay. The mineral contents of phosphorus and potassium were lower in hay from Switzerland (P: 1.8 +/- 0.7 g/kg DM, K: 15.4 +/- 5.1 g/kg DM) than from Bavaria (P: 3.8 +/- 0.6 g/kg DM, K: 20.0 +/- 6.0 DM), whereas the magnesium content of the hay showed no difference between the regions ( approximately 1.5 g Mg/kg DM). Very late first grass hay cuts showed low magnesium and calcium (<4 g/kg DM) contents. Further minerals in the hay for horses differed from those in dairy cattle in the same region. Fertilization showed only small effects on the mineral contents of the hay produced for horses. Therefore, in calculation of ration and production of supplements for horses, these differences should be taken into account.
Publication Date: 2008-11-18 PubMed ID: 19012617DOI: 10.1111/j.1439-0396.2007.00769.xGoogle Scholar: Lookup
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Summary
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The research study explores the impact of geographical origin, harvest time, crop composition, and fertilization on the mineral content of hay produced in horse farms in Upper Bavaria and Switzerland. The study finds that the mineral profile of hay varies based on these parameters, which should be considered in dietary calculations and supplement production for horses.
Sampling and Analysis Method
- The researchers collected hay samples from 29 horse farms in Southern Upper Bavaria and 31 farms in Switzerland.
- The samples were analyzed for their mineral content, specifically focusing on calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, and potassium. This analysis also determined the percentage of herbs and legumes in the hay.
- A Weende analysis was also performed. The Weende analysis is a common method for determining the crude nutrient content of feed.
Comparison of Mineral Content
- The analysis showed that the calcium content of the hay was comparable in both Bavaria and Switzerland, with approximately 4 grams of calcium per kilogram of dry matter (DM) in the grass hay.
- Hay harvested from Switzerland that had more than a 10% mix of herbs and legumes showed higher calcium content, exceeding 7 grams per kilogram of DM.
- The phosphorus and potassium content was found to be lower in the Swiss hay samples compared to the Bavarian ones. Phosphorus values in the Swiss samples were approximately 1.8 grams per kilogram of DM, and potassium values were about 15.4 grams per kilogram of DM. In contrast, Bavarian samples showed 3.8 grams of phosphorus and 20 grams of potassium per kilogram of DM.
- The magnesium content showed no significant difference between the hay samples from the two regions, averaging around 1.5 grams per kilogram of DM.
Effect of Harvest Time
- The study also found that late-harvested first grass hay showed lower magnesium and calcium contents, less than 4 grams per kilogram of DM.
Comparison with Dairy Cattle Hay
- The mineral content of hay intended for horse consumption was different from that used for dairy cattle in the same regions.
Fertilization Effects
- Fertilization was found to have only minor effects on the mineral content of the hay produced for horses.
Implications for Horse Nutrition
- The study concludes that the observed differences in mineral content, based on geographical origin, harvest timings, and botanical composition, should be accounted for when calculating horse rations and producing dietary supplements. This consideration could ensure more tailored and nutrient-sufficient diets for horses.
Cite This Article
APA
Kienzle E, Möllmann F, Nater S, Wanner M, Wichert B.
(2008).
Mineral content of hay harvested in Bavarian and Swiss horse farms. Predictive value of cutting time, number of cut, botanical composition, origin and fertilization.
J Anim Physiol Anim Nutr (Berl), 92(6), 712-717.
https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1439-0396.2007.00769.x Publication
Researcher Affiliations
- Institute of Animal Physiology, Physiologic Chemistry and Animal Nutrition, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany.
MeSH Terms
- Animal Feed / analysis
- Animal Feed / standards
- Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena / physiology
- Animals
- Biological Availability
- Calcium / analysis
- Germany
- Horses / growth & development
- Horses / physiology
- Magnesium / analysis
- Minerals / analysis
- Nutritive Value
- Phosphorus / analysis
- Poaceae / chemistry
- Potassium / analysis
- Switzerland
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