Feeding Alfalfa Hay to Beef Cows
Alfalfa is considered to be keen nutrient for many cows. It tin can even exceed a moo-cow's nutritional needs. For this reason, it tin be used as either a harvested feed or a grazing pick for beef and milk cows.
It is incredibly high in protein at effectually 20%, which is higher than most other feeds. Grass hays are often low in poly peptide, making alfalfa an excellent supplemental option to ameliorate a cow'south protein intake. Regular grass hay also takes longer to digest than alfalfa.
If a moo-cow is provided with alfalfa, they tend to eat more. This tin can lead to bigger cows that produce more than milk. A well-fed moo-cow is besides a healthier cow, so these animals tend to be in better condition overall, with a lower mortality rate.
Feeding Alfalfa to Beef Cows
Alfalfa and grass hay can be utilized together to produce outstanding beef cows. If your beef cows eat mostly low-quality grass hay, alfalfa can be added as a supplement to improve the cow'south overall nutritional intake.
A pocket-sized amount of alfalfa is frequently needed to offset the nutritional bug that low-quality grass can sometimes create. Therefore, feeding mature or weather-damaged hay with some alfalfa is a solid, toll-constructive strategy.
Alfalfa consumption volition cause the moo-cow to eat more because it digests quickly. For this reason, y'all tin expect these cows to gain more weight, which in turn, leads to more beef.
Alfalfa for Grazing
While many people may want to command the exact amount of alfalfa that is consumed by their cows, it can likewise be used for grazing purposes. Cows that graze on alfalfa are more likely to gain weight in even hot and dry conditions.
Rotational feeding is all-time with alfalfa because you want it to reach the proper stage of maturity before allowing the cow to eat it. The grass should be in early bloom. If it gets too mature earlier the cows consume information technology all, they tin can be moved to a younger patch and the backlog cut for later consumption.
Stocking rates are typically high with alfalfa because it is more energy-dense than other grasses. You will demand to arrange it for your electric current conditions. Muddy fields should have a lower stocking rate to prevent the field from being ruined (or preferably, the cows should be placed in a "sacrificial" field instead).
Alfalfa for Calves
Alfalfa is particularly good for calves because they need the extra protein to grow quickly and big. It is best to pair alfalfa with some other feed like clover, though, which will give calves all the nutrients and calories that they need to grow properly.
Alfalfa tin also last a long fourth dimension with calves, so you don't need to replant it ofttimes.
For weaned calves, alfalfa and corn can exist suitable grazing foods. You tin provide cattle with a mixed grazing field and feed them corn as a supplement, or you tin feed calves a mixture of corn and dried alfalfa.
Alfalfa oftentimes leads to excellent gains for calves. It also produces healthier animals overall because well-maintained calves are less likely to get sick in the first place.
Bloat and Alfalfa
While alfalfa is widely considered 1 of the more nutritious feeds that you lot tin provide a moo-cow, it can also cause pasture bloat.
You shouldn't let this status scare you, though, as alfalfa has the potential to nearly double the income of nearly farms. Yous only have to use it advisedly. You can't but throw your cattle into an alfalfa field and expect them to gain tons of weight.
Typically, you can limit the chance of bloat by mixing the alfalfa with other feed, such equally legumes. Wilting the alfalfa before feeding it to the cow has also been shown to help reduce bloat.
Preferably, you desire to wait until its full bloom to feed alfalfa to your cattle. Alfalfa in early on bloom can have more soluble protein and thinner cell walls, which makes it easier to digest, just these factors can also increase the chance of bloat.
Mostly, annihilation that reduces the soluble protein found in alfalfa tin lower the overall bloat gamble.
Managing the cattle properly tin can besides reduce the risk. Starving animals should never exist given alfalfa, every bit they will consume too much of it too quickly. Other factors, like scorching conditions and interrupted grazing, can besides increment the chance of bloat.
That said, nil will eliminate bloat risk ultimately. All animals should be monitored to ensure that bloat does not occur and that treatment tin exist provided if it does.
FAQs
Can Grass-Fed Beef Cows Eat Alfalfa?
Information technology is a common misconception that beef cows cannot eat alfalfa. Notwithstanding, the actress protein in this feed is helpful for beef cows in particular, which is precisely why it is recommended. While you do accept to be cautious due to the increased chance of bloat, when properly managed, this grass tin seriously improve weight gain in beef cattle. It can exist fed to beef steers and calves, improving the weight and condition of both.
For this reason, alfalfa is often considered ane of the best feeds that you can provide for grass-fed cattle.
Does Alfalfa Poison Cows?
Alfalfa by itself is not poisonous, but information technology is high in soluble protein, which is linked to a college chance of bloat. However, in that location are several things that you tin can do to prevent bloat in cattle. Some of these have to exercise with the plant itself, such as waiting until the alfalfa is mature or mixing information technology with other feed to prevent overconsumption.
Managing the cattle is besides essential. Overly hungry cows will overeat alfalfa, which tin can cause bloat. If you rotate cattle betwixt fields, exist sure they are non extremely hungry before moving them to a new field with alfalfa.
Poisonous plants can also become mixed in with alfalfa, which can injure your cattle.
How Much Alfalfa Can a Cow Eat?
It is all-time to limit consumption to v pounds a mean solar day. Yous don't want them to overeat alfalfa because this may cause bloat. At five pounds a day, you can meet your cattle's nutritional needs for a low toll because alfalfa is quite digestible and contains a large amount of protein.
Conclusion
Alfalfa is a bit controversial in the cattle world. On the i paw, this feed leads to improved weight gain in cows of all ages. It provides extra poly peptide and is highly digestible. It also enables you lot to see your cattle's nutritional needs for much cheaper than another options. For this reason, information technology can also help the average farmer brand plenty of coin.
Nevertheless, alfalfa can be dangerous if non used charily. The high amount of soluble poly peptide can cause bloat. Therefore, yous take to feed your cattle but a small amount of alfalfa, preferably mixed with Johnson's clover or corn.
Featured Image Credit: jmklatte, Pixabay
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