The cutting of hay (1st, 2nd or 3rd) is a good indication of the hay’s nutrient content.
Answer: False
Just knowing whether the hay is 1st, 2nd or 3rd crop does not predict nutrient content. The stage of maturity at which the hay was cut is the foundation of its nutritional value. Plants that grow under cooler temperatures build more digestible fiber. Therefore, 1st crop hay may have more fiber, and the fiber will be easier for the horse to digest and use.
For more information on hay, read the October 2009 e-Tips article Selecting and Storing Horse Hay. Also, watch the archived webcast Optimizing Hay and Feeding Storage by Dr. Krishona Martinson.