This article will discuss the various stages of alfalfa growth and methods of feeding alfalfa hay to cows. Before beginning a feeding plan, make sure you know the stage of alfalfa growth in your region and the best time to feed it to your livestock. It also discusses the stages of the growth of alfalfa and the bloat risk in cows.
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Variations in feeding alfalfa to cows
For milk production, variations in forage composition were investigated in this study. Cows fed a 20% alfalfa diet sorted differently than those fed a 40% alfalfa diet. Likewise, the TMR offered to each animal was greater than its intake of long particles in the latter group. These results indicate that forage composition has no effect on milk production. However, the effects of genetic variation in alfalfa forage are still uncertain.
Several factors determine the digestibility of alfalfa for cows. Alfalfa is high in protein, which is easily digested and absorbed. However, its fiber content is less than other forages. Moreover, cows with high-K content may develop milk fever. High-quality alfalfa, however, is beneficial for both beef and dairy producers. High-quality forage means better performance and milk production.
Management steps to reduce risk of bloat
To prevent bloat in cattle, producers should use management steps to feed pastures with low froth and less forage fiber. Initially, cattle should be fed non-legume pastures in order to increase their tolerance to alfalfa. Frequent pasture changes can also help cattle to adjust to higher-froth-generating forage. But these steps are not foolproof. Frequent feedings of high-bloat-prone pastures should be delayed by three to five days.
During the first few weeks, animals that are not accustomed to high-grazed pastures may experience mild bloat. This can be treated by holding the animal’s head up and walking for about a half hour until the gas dissipates. Additionally, cattle must be moved to a different area if they have bloated regularly.
Stages of growth of alfalfa
Alfalfa has several stages of growth, from the vegetative to the late-bud stage. The first cutting yields the highest amount of alfalfa in the year, which accounts for about 35-40% of the crop. The timing of the first cutting must balance nutrition with life span of the alfalfa stand. Early harvest reduces the amount of alfalfa that can be harvested during the growing season.
In addition to yield, plant maturity has a strong influence on when to harvest alfalfa for feeding cows. Harvesting alfalfa at a later stage can yield higher quality hay. The first cutting in the Red River Valley in 2002 was at the late vegetative stage, while the first harvest of alfalfa there occurred on May 24. However, this year’s harvest has a different growth pattern than last year.
Methods of feeding alfalfa hay to cows
This study examined the effects of different rations of alfalfa hay on lactation performance. It was conducted on 15 Holstein-Friesian cows. The cows were started on a hay ration independently thirty days before calving. When lactation started, they were fed a ration that contained only alfalfa hay. The ration was fed to the cows for the entire lactation period and until the cows calved. In total, the cows were fed the alfalfa hay ration for two consecutive lactations and a dry period after lactation.
When comparing alfalfa hay rations, it is important to remember that each cow is different. Each cow on a full ration varies in age and production. Some cows were young and produced at the same rate. However, some cows were immature and made their records. It is important to remember that individual cows may produce different amounts of milk and butterfat.
Effects of bloat on milk yield
In the 1980s, a breeding program was initiated to produce an alfalfa with low initial rates of digestion (LIRD). LIRD cultivars reduce the incidence of frothy bloat in cattle by approximately 50%. These cultivars can be used by producers to reduce the risk of occasional livestock losses due to bloat. Some producers may also choose to increase the duration of alfalfa grazing in their herd.
The use of ionophores to control bloat is another method of preventing the condition. These compounds reduce enteric methane emissions by as much as 10%. These compounds inhibit protozoa, which are known to be responsible for bloat. They also prevent the breakdown of froth, reducing free gases. These chemicals can reduce the incidence of bloat in dairy cows by as much as 70%.
