Hay and Forage

The H2 Ranch operation insures commitment to QUALITY and CUSTOMER SATISFACTION.

Our Commitment to Quality: Only the highest quality grasses are grown under a strict weed management and fertilizer program. Strict attention is given to the curing process. Moisture content is consistently monitored which allows for a more beautiful and more nicely packed bale that allows for "peeling off" of a flake.  There is also a greater chance for  "dry matter" loss (shatter quality) to exist in drier hay.  We use no drying agents or preservatives on any of our hay.

Customer Satisfaction: With our commitment to quality and services offered we strive to please the most discerning customer. We realize our reputation is on the line with every bale we sale and our reputation is all we have to separate us from other producers.

Unmatched Service and Personal Attention: Making life easy for our customers is evident when viewing our list of offered services. We will strive to customize a program based on your needs when possible.

Tifton 85 is darker green in color, is taller, and has larger stems with wider leaves than Coastal, Tifton 44 or Tifton 78, and it is higher in quality than Coastal. In a study performed by Texas A&M University, the average daily gains for all the stockers on Tifton 85 without protein supplementation was 1.69 pounds.  In comparison, animals grazing Coastal bermudagrass and not given supplementation had average daily gains at one pound per day. With protein supplementation,   animals grazing Coastal had average daily gains of 1.3 pounds, three-tenths of a pound less than the Tifton 85 grazed cattle without supplements.  

Coastal Bermuda is still a leading favorite for the amount of vegetation it produces and is only planted from the vegetative state. Still the premier choose of horse owners due to fine stem and tender vegetation.  Our tested crude protein "CP" have ranged from 12% to 16.7%.

Alfalfa season usually begins during the middle of May. The last cutting is near the end of October. We usually harvest 6 to 7 cuttings per year. All of the crop is flood irrigated. Normal rainfall is only 8 inches per year.

All our hay is alfalfa hay only, not a grass mixture. We cut alfalfa on a 29 day cycle. This guarantees the hay to be at its peek feed value.  The alfalfa is cut with windrowers during the day. The following night, after a light dew, two rows are raked into one row. This movement helps dry the hay and also helps to preserve the color. The light dew makes the leaves hold to the stems and prevents leaf shattering. The following night, again with a light dew the hay is baled using three balers. Two automatic bale wagons begin loading the bales and transporting them into barns at night. As you can see, we do everything possible to harvest a premium product.