It's hard to say but the fresher a hay is, the sweeter it smells. Colour isn't necessarily an indicator, although generally the greener it is, the fresher it is. I've just had 20kgs of the 2013 batch from timothyhay.co.uk, simply because they've run out of 2014 and are not yet advertising any 2015. It has no smell at all but the main thing is that it isn't dusty or mouldy AND the bunnies and piggies LOVE it!!
I've e-mailed Gavin at timothyhay twice to ask if they will have any 2015 hay soon, but don't get a response.
Hi everyone this is Gavin from Timothyhay.co.uk
I would just like to thank everyone for their support in buying my hay. As a lot of you know last years summer was extremely wet and not helpful at all for making great hay. So our 2015 batch did suffer a little.
The good news is the hay has improved over the last few months by losing moisture and becoming harder (good for teeth). It has always been free from dust and mould with nice long crunchy stalks and timothy seed heads. The only negative I have is it is slightly more brown on some of the leaves and there is also some small balls of clay from the field inside the hay which was picked up from the hay making process on the wet fields. The good news is it is harmless and easily picked out when found.
I plan to have the 2015 batch for sale in the next couple of days. I will post some pictures so you can see
what it looks like.
Mackers I'm sorry I missed your emails did you message me through facebook or email.
Thanks again
Gavin
Ditto I've not ordered Ings this time as I seem to be throwing more away than they're eating. I will try them again in the summer months as it has always been great normally. To be honest I've forgot about the weather last year but it makes sense that the hay will be reflecting that.This is so good to know - I've been using INGs hay for a few months now but it's just not the same! The 2015 hay does look lovely - will be ordering some next week :thumb: