Recently I posted in a local horse group asking which feed stores were selling weed free hay these days. I received messages from several people letting me know where they get hay, which they assured me was good quality and clean. But when I questioned them more, I realized most of it was not certified weed free. There’s a big difference between hay that comes from a clean looking pasture and hay that is certified weed free by the State of Nevada.
What Is Certified Weed Free Hay?
It is forage that has been inspected by officials from the Nevada Department of Agriculture and is confirmed to be grown in fields that are free of any viable plant parts of any plant species listed on the Nevada Noxious Weed List or North American Invasive Species Management Association Noxious Weed List. Once inspected and certified, these bales are marked with specially colored baling twine.
That does not mean there aren’t any weeds in the hay! The certification only applies to weeds on the noxious lists. Certified weed free hay can still have varying amounts of annual weeds and/or other weeds that are not listed as prohibited or noxious.
What Types of Forage Can Be Certified?
Lots of things!
- Alfalfa hay
- Grass hay
- Alfalfa/grass mix hay
- Forage pellets and/or cubes
- Wheat or other grain hay
- Straw bales
When Do You Need Certified Weed Free Hay?
It can be required by public land managers, depending on where you are riding or horse camping. A good rule of thumb is, generally, the US Forest Service and the National Park Service always require weed free hay on the lands they manage. Years ago, the Bureau of Land Management in Nevada tried to enact the requirement, but it ultimately failed. The BLM does require it in some other states.
Being a responsible equestrian means that you need to check stock use regulations before you head out to ride or camp. For that reason, we always include weed free hay information in the listings on Nevada Horse Trails. You can also always call the land manager to confirm.
Is It Really That Big of a Deal?
Are you asking if you will get in trouble if you don’t use weed free hay? Probably not. In all my years, I have never actually had anyone inspect my hay, though I have heard stories about rangers who have checked and even issued fines for noncompliance. But the requirement is not just unnecessary bureaucratic oversight that you should ignore. Forage regulations are meant to protect public land. If you want to be a responsible trail rider, then you should want to protect public land too.
Noxious weeds harm ecosystems because they compete with native plants for resources like water, nutrients, and space. Some poisonous weeds may even pose a threat to wildlife and livestock. Your horse can pass weed seeds in his manure on the trail. And weedy hay can spread at campsites. While it might be inconvenient, using certified weed free hay where required is the right thing to do.
How To Use Weed Free Hay?
If you are planning on riding or camping on lands where it is required, then you will want to switch your horse over to that feed exclusively at least a couple of days prior to your trip. This will ensure that your horse’s manure is cleared of any potential weed seeds. You should also make sure your trailer is cleaned out of any manure or old hay.
Where To Buy Weed Free Hay?
Don’t wait until the last minute to buy weed free hay because in some parts of Nevada, it can be kind of a pain in the butt to find. Because I travel with horses so often, I usually keep a couple bales or a bag of pellets stashed in my hay barn just in case.
Check out the official list of certified producers in the state. Often times you can purchase directly from them if you ask nicely.
Standlee makes certified compressed bales of alfalfa, timothy grass, and straw, timothy grass pellets, and alfalfa cubes. You can usually find these at the big box feed stores, Chewy, and Walmart but always call your local feed store to see if they carry any first.
