Forage is an important part of your cattle’s diet, but it’s not what you might think. Steers consume Forage, Hay, Alfalfa, and Clover, among other things. Read on for a more in-depth analysis of these types of feed. And, if you’re curious about the other types of forage, check out our article on Forage for Animals. The next time you’re wondering what your cattle eat, keep reading to learn more!
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Forage
There are many factors to consider when choosing forage for your steers. Generally speaking, forages vary in their quality and nutritional content. Feeding sub-optimal quality forages is both inefficient and unsustainable, as it requires more resources and challenges the ruminant digestive system. The right forage for your steers will depend on several factors, including region, lifecycle, and seasonality. Forage producers should also consider quality, yield, and persistence.
Some forage species have a wide range of nutritional values and are easily absorbed by cattle. This variety offers producers in the mid-Atlantic region a number of options for their cattle. Generally, steers that consume these forages gain more weight during the summer. Likewise, higher nitrogen fertilization levels in bermudagrasses produce higher average daily gain in steers. In addition, steers that graze on bermudagrass exhibit higher feed intake and weight gain than their peers.
Hay
You might wonder if hay is what steers eat. While dairy cows are also fed silage, the nutritional needs of beef cattle are much different than those of dairy cows. Here, Kimberly explains why hay is so important to beef cattle. A cow’s body requires approximately three times as much hay as a dairy cow does. Depending on the breed, steers should be fed three to four times per day.
There are several things you can do to ensure your livestock eats the right kind of hay. First of all, the best time to cut hay is when the plant is green and growing. Harvest the hay before the seed heads form. If you don’t have this time, you might end up with hay that is too mature and contains too much nitrates. To avoid this, you can test the hay to ensure it is free of nitrates.
Alfalfa
You’ve probably wondered if Alfalfa is what steers ate in the past. It’s a popular grass that cattle producers feed their animals, but is it really beneficial? This article will discuss why alfalfa is beneficial for cattle and whether or not it should be included in cattle diets. Here’s why:
Alfalfa is high in protein and calcium and can be fed as a base diet for cattle and other livestock. Combined with corn, it can boost protein levels in grass hays, which are devoid of these nutrients. Those nutrients enable the animals to eat more, gain weight faster, and produce more milk. They’ll also stay healthy and strong. And that’s not all!
Clover
The economic benefits of feeding cows clover in pastures are obvious, but ignoring the risks of bloat isn’t a good idea. All cattle can develop bloat, which is caused by an excessive buildup of gas in the rumen. The rumen is then distended and the animal can die from asphyxia or shock. Fortunately, bloat is treatable by following proper management practices.
Cows and other animals can get a blood-clotting infection from ingested clover. The plant contains coumarins, which reduce the risk of human clots. The compound is also used as a rodenticide. While clover is a beneficial feed for cattle, it shouldn’t be fed to pregnant cows four weeks before calving. Those cows will get bloated and may even die.
Alfalfa hay
Alfalfa hay is what steer’s diets are made up of. Cows and dairy cows need a lot of alfalfa hay to meet their daily caloric requirements. A quality feed source will also improve the cows’ feed efficiency, or how efficiently the cows convert nutrients into milk. This efficiency is a key factor in dairy diets, particularly for those with decreasing profit margins.
The best alfalfa for cattle is in early bloom. Mature alfalfa should be replaced with newer patches, and the excess should be harvested for later use. Alfalfa is highly digestible, but it should not be fed to cattle too soon. Stocking rates should be adjusted according to the conditions of the fields. For example, if the field is muddy, a lower stocking rate should be applied. The best time for cattle to consume alfalfa hay is two weeks after a strong killing frost. Alfalfa is also highly nutritious and is a great choice to supplement the ration.
Alfalfa silage
Although alfalfa hay is most often associated with dairy cows, it’s actually one of the best forages for beef cattle. This forage is known for supporting the health of the rumen and fermentation, as well as promoting overall animal wellness. It is also the highest-quality forage available, especially during the early growth stages when its protein and fiber content is at their highest levels. It’s no wonder that dairy producers consider it a staple forage for their livestock.
Steers eat Alfalfa silage in early spring and late summer, when the plant is in its vegetative stage. As it grows, the soluble protein content decreases, and the plant cell walls thicken and increase lignin content. As a result, the digestion rate of alfalfa in the rumen decreases. And it’s important to note that freezing alfalfa will only reduce its bloat risk.
