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Hay is just one type of “feed product.” Feed products are just as they sound, products used to feed animals, mostly dairy cows, beef cattle, and horses. Washington State’s Kittitas Valley is famous for production of Timothy Hay. Historically, Timothy, was a natural grass grown in the high mountain valleys of Europe and later in the highlands of New England. The growing of Timothy Hay has never been more successful, however, than on the vast eastern slopes of the Cascade Mountain Range and in what is known as the Kittitas Valley near Ellensburg, Washington. An abundance of grasses native to the area, rich volcanic soil, favorable climate, and prevailing winds cure the hay quickly, producing quality long-stemmed hay. This ideal combination of elements drew early settlers, cattlemen, ranchers and farmers to this part of the country. Today, the Kittitas Valley produces over 150,000 tons of Timothy annually on more than 24,000 acres of surface irrigated farm land run by more than 200 different producers. Timothy Hay is considered the highest quality feed product and is used primarily to feed thoroughbred race horses. Owners, breeders, trainers and track operators order either straight Timothy or a special Timothy/Alfalfa mix. Timothy hay is also a premium feed for dairy cows. Currently, the largest user of Timothy hay for dairy cows is Japanese dairy farmers. Timothy provides the much needed fiber to attain the high butter fat required of Japanese milk producers. Alfalfa Hay is another type of feed product used to feed dairy cows, beef cattle and horses. Alfalfa Hay is sold either by the bale, half-bale or cube. Alfalfa is the best combination source of fiber and protein. In dairy cows, protein increases the quantity of milk produced and fiber increases the quality by increasing butter fat. Asian dairymen like alfalfa because it gets them more milk, and the improved quality gets them a higher price. Because hay exporters pay a flat rate to ship a container like the Boomerang Box, they often “double compress” the hay. This means that they squeeze it into a smaller size so that they can put more in the container. By putting more in the container, they reduce their “cost per ton” to ship the hay and make it possible to sell it at a better price in the Asian market. This cost savings can be important when you consider that A.C.X. Trading ships more than 1,000 containers of hay every month! Another special requirement involved with shipping hay, specifically Timothy Hay to Japan is fumigation. All containers destined for Japan loaded with Timothy Hay must be fumigated to get rid of any bugs that could be potentially transported with the hay to Japan. This is probably more than you’ve ever wanted to know about hay! But now you know the most important fact, hay and other feed products are important export commodities from the United States to many other countries. |
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