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It is Oxbow’s goal for every bag of hay that leaves our farm to be as soft, fragrant, and green as the previous bag. Because hay is a product of Mother Nature, however, you will occasionally notice natural variability in color, texture, and other characteristics between crops or cuttings. Most commonly, the dark or brown-colored hay that pet parents inquire about is termed “brown leaf” and originates from the base of the plant during growth in the field. As the plant matures, it “canopies” and the base turns brown because it is shielded from the sun and does not get the chlorophyll it needs to turn it green. This hay is not “bad” from a nutritional perspective and we have found that it will be consumed by many animals.

For more information about the natural variability that can occur in hay, please check out the following educational resources:

If you have additional questions or would like more information, please feel free to contact us directly.

Keywords: hay, color, brown, brown leaf, variation, nature, burnt, old