The Hay Diet Made Easy

Many farmers feed their livestock manufactured feed made primarily of corn and soy products. These feeds effectively and efficiently fatten the livestock but are not necessarily the healthiest option, for often the corn and soy varieties that are used for livestock feed are genetically engineered and treated with high levels of pesticide. Those high levels of pesticide build up in the fatty tissue of the animals and are released into the system when fat is burned. A better option for both the animals and those who consume the meat and dairy products they provide is a hay-based diet.

  1. A Healthier Option

    • Many farm animals thrive on a hay-based diet. In fact, the digestive system of cattle is designed for only hay because cattle are "ruminants," animals with multichambered stomachs where food digestion occurs in two stages: the hay/grass is chewed and swallowed, and then regurgitated as cud and chewed again. In some cases, feeding cattle corn and soy instead of hay can result in liver abscesses and sudden death syndrome. This is true for sheep, goats and alpacas as well.

      A hay-based diet is also healthier for consumers. Meat that comes from livestock that have been fed exclusively hay has less cholesterol, fat and calories, while containing more vitamin A, vitamin C, omega-3 fatty acids and beta-carotene.

    A Cost-Effective Option

    • For some farmers, turning away from a corn and soy diet risks an increase in costs coupled with a decrease in return (animals fatten faster with corn- and soy-based feed). However, hay does allow for a self-sustaining environment, with the cattle feeding on the grass that's grown in their own pastures. By definition, hay is simply any grass that is cut, dried and stored for animal feed, but there are different varieties of hay, some of which will yield a higher weight. Alfalfa, for example, is high in vitamins, proteins and minerals, and can be grown in many climates. Other options include clover and oat.

      It's worth noting as well that Cornell University's David Pimentel considers feeding livestock corn- and soy-based grain to be a "costly and nonsustainable way to produce animal protein."

      Growing hay does require careful pasture management, but the benefits are worth the effort. If you decide to purchase your hay instead of growing it, look for hay that is silvery-green. If the hay is brown, this indicates that it may have been cut too late in the season.