Our wonderful and varied country. The term
"very cold nights" is practically useless as a guide for feeding
recommendations. In some areas it means less than 20 degrees F (18 C, for
our international subscribers.), In MN, WI, ID or MT (except for the
Bitterroot, which is the "Banana Belt" of MT) it means less than ) 0 F (-18
C). I'm sure there are subscribers in Alberta, and Saskatchewan who do not
consider the night to be very cold unless it is below -20 F (-29
C).
Seriously, for 30 years in WI and MT we have not
had the luxury of adjusting the protein level of hay as a function of
temperature. We do feed a bit heavier when it gets unusually cold, but
that is all. We raise grass hay here on the W side of the valley (the east
side has different soil and alfalfa is raised.) The horses seem to stay
fat, sassy and healthy on it.
Ed
Ed & Wendy Hauser 2994 Mittower
Road Victor, MT 59875
