Alfalfa hay is an excellent source of protein for cows during the winter months. Not only does it keep cattle healthy and weight gain is encouraged, but it may even aid calf production.
Alfalfa hay is more energy-rich than other grasses and highly digestible. Plus, it boasts high levels of fiber and vitamins; plus it may even aid in improving rumen function.
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Fiber
Alfalfa hay is an essential part of dairy cows’ diets. Not only does it support rumen health and aid fermentation, but it also provides energy.
Alfalfa hay can also aid in the production of milk protein, with dairy cows increasing their weight by up to 30% when fed the grass-like plant. This boost of weight is beneficial for both milk and beef production alike.
When selecting hay for your cattle, make sure to select the appropriate quality. Too fine-stemmed leafy alfalfa (rabbit hay) can cause bloat in cattle while overly stemmy alfalfa that has passed bloom stage may not be suitable for horses.
Protein
Alfalfa hay is renowned for its high protein and low fiber content, making it an ideal feed choice for dairy cows. Furthermore, this plant supports rumen health as well as fermentation-related digestion processes.
However, it’s essential to consider how you cut and bale the hay. Too much leaf loss reduces its quality and makes it more challenging for cows to consume the stems.
Most producers underestimate how much leaf waste occurs in both the field and feed bunk. When too many leaves are lost, they lose their highest nutritional value and drastically decrease the protein quality of hay.
Vitamins
Alfalfa hay for cows is an excellent source of B vitamins, which beef cattle need to produce milk and maintain body weight. These B vitamins include thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, pantothenic acid, vitamin B6, vitamin B12 and choline.
Additionally, calcium contains minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sodium, magnesium, copper and sulfur that help build strong bones and muscles.
Alfalfa hay is high in vitamin E and highly digestible by ruminants, especially dairy cows who require soft, palatable hay that has been cut before bloom stage to get the most nutrition out of it.
Minerals
Minerals are inorganic substances that provide essential nutrients for growth, repair of tissues and metabolism. Examples include calcium, phosphorus, copper, sulfur, magnesium and many others.
They are essential to all physical and mental processes as well as for overall well-being. Furthermore, they play an integral role in building structures, developing weapons, machinery, jewellery making and synthesizing fertilizers.
Minerals can be classified into either crystalline solids or mineraloids (natural substances without a distinct crystal structure). Crystalline solids generally display an ordered internal atomic structure expressed through regular geometric forms.
Fat
Alfalfa hay is one of the highest-quality forages available, but it should be harvested at an early stage of maturity. As hay ages, its fiber digestibility and protein content decrease, leaving less energy for cows.
Alfalfa hay can be utilized as a roughage source when combined with either a grain or distillers grains supplement. This ration should be designed by a nutritionist for optimal nutrient balance.
Alfalfa can be added to a concentrate-forage ration to increase the amount of hay consumed by cows, leading to higher milk yields. However, it won’t produce as much fat or muscle mass as feeding alfalfa on its own.
