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Timothy is a really nice hay---in most areas it's on a par with good
quality bermuda. It's a fairly low protein hay, around 7-8%, contains
around .35% lysine (low), and delivers around 1.75 Mcal/kg, which is
roughly the same as bermuda and most of the cereal hays (in other words,
they're all in the same neighborhood except for alfalfa). Timothy does
have a balanced calcium-phosphorus ratio (which the cereal grass hays
don't), but can't be considered a good source of either, the levels are
still pretty low at .43% and .20%, respectively. The macro and
micromineral balance is very nice. Alot of people, especially those
back East, prefer timothy, especially on the racetrack. If you can get
a good, steady supply at a decent pricce, by all means use it, it's a
great hay when supplemented with concentrates for energy and a little
extra lysine. Out here on the Pacific coast, it's either hard to get or
costs an arm and a leg---most of the time, I've seen it around $16-20
for a three-wire bale. I did get offered some timothy the other day for
$12 a bale for two-wire bales, but the supply was limited, the quality
was only so-so and since the nutrient profile is close to bermuda, I
stayed with a better quality (and cheaper) bermuda.
I guess the bottom line in choosing hay is find the best quality you can
for your area, get a general idea of what that hay is likely to provide
in the way of nutrients and make up whatever deficiencies with the right
concentrates. Advantages, disadvantages and economics of buying the
"right" hay change from region to region.
Good luck!
Susan
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