If you’re wondering how much alfalfa to feed your cow per day, you’re not alone. Many people make the same mistake and feed far too much alfalfa each day. There are many factors that should come into play when choosing the amount of forage you should give your cow. Quality, rotation, and stocking rate all play a role. Here are some things to consider when deciding how much alfalfa to feed your cow per day.
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Forage quality
A few tips can help you figure out how to feed alfalfa to your cows. First, know the nutrient content of your hay. You can determine how much protein is in a specific type of alfalfa plant. Secondly, determine the amount of protein your cows need each day. You can also calculate the amount of alfalfa your cows need by testing a sample of the hay.
The more quality alfalfa you feed, the lower the amount of bloat your cow will experience. Alfalfa has a high initial ruminal digestion rate and reduces particle size. The smaller the particle size, the more alfalfa a cow will eat. This is why the majority of cows raised on alfalfa pastures have a high-quality udder and lower incidences of bloat.
Stocking rate
During the 1980s Manitoba drought, the Extending Livestock Feed Supplies report was developed to help producers find alternative feed sources. It provides information on average feeding values, energy levels, and recommended alfalfa feeding rates. In general, alfalfa can be fed to dairy cows at two to four pounds per day, depending on the type and quality. It is also available in pellet form, which can be fed at a rate of three to four kilograms (6.6 to 8.5 lb) per day.
Alfalfa can be a good supplement to a cow’s diet, but you must be careful to feed your cows a small amount. While alfalfa can lead to excellent gains in weight and beef, it can also cause pasture bloat. You should feed your cows small amounts of alfalfa pellets once or twice a week, preferably mixed with Johnson’s clover or corn.
Rotational feeding
A flowering perennial of the pea family, alfalfa provides significant benefits when rotated with other crops. According to plant scientist Martin Entz, studies on alfalfa rotations show improvements in soil health, water retention, and disease resistance. Moreover, its deep taproots change soil structure and create macropores. This means that it can help your crops thrive in drought conditions.
When used in crop rotation, alfalfa can leave 30 to 330 pounds of nitrogen per acre of grazed area. During rotational grazing, it is important to avoid the regrowth of the plant, which contains higher levels of bloat-causing nutrients than mature forages. It is also important to rotate paddocks at midday, when soluble protein levels are highest. In addition, morning dew increases the rate of intake and digestion, so early turnout is beneficial for cattle.
Cost
Adding low quality forage to an alfalfa-based ration will reduce the daily feed cost to $1.37 per head/day. If you want to get the most out of your feed budget, you can also add corn stalks or straw to the mix. This can reduce the cost of feeding a cow by about half a ton and can save you up to $100 per cow per year.
The most important step in alfalfa production is nutrient analysis. This will show the exact protein and other essential nutrients present in the alfalfa. This will help you determine the appropriate amount of alfalfa for your cowherd. The amount to feed a cow may be as little as two pounds of high-quality alfalfa or as much as ten pounds of low-quality alfalfa. Moreover, you’ll have to be vigilant and watch for any signs of bloat or a problem that your cow might have.
Bloat risk
How much alfalfa to feed your cow per day will depend on its age, weight, and current pasture conditions. A good rule of thumb is to avoid freezing alfalfa because it punctures cell walls and allows contents to leak out. The release of soluble proteins will increase the risk of bloat. You can graze alfalfa for up to three days after a frost.
Generally, cattle graze three to four times a day on alfalfa pastures. These major grazing bouts occur shortly after sunrise and early in the evening. Bloat usually develops within one or two hours after a major grazing bout. By paying close attention to when cattle graze, you can manage your herd’s diet to minimize the risk of bloat.
