- Lactating cows: Feed 18 lbs per day as forage additive, 10 lbs per day as a part of the concentrate.
- Replacement heifers: Feed 50% of the forage portion of the diet, or 30% of the concentrate portion.
- Dry cows: Feed 8 lbs per day or 30% of the concentrate portion of the diet.
- Calves: Feed up to 20% of the starter diet.
Some of the many benefits of the use of dehydrated alfalfa in dairy rations are:
- Bypass protein 58 to 60% of the protein is in the form of bypass (or Rumen Undegradeable Protein, RUP) protein. This helps increase protein utilization and consequently milk yield.
- The protein quality of alfalfa is high.
- Amino acid profile mirrors that found in milk better than many other protein sources.
- This high quality protein source can help reduce the need for amino acid supplements in the diet and therefore overall diet cost.
- Buffering Capacity Dehy alfalfa has a high mineral content and lignified fibres that increase the cation exchange capacity and hydration capacity. This allows it to act as an effective rumen buffer.
- Rumen buffering is very important, especially when feeding high levels of concentrates.
- Rumen buffering prevents dramatic changes in rumen pH which cause costly and unpleasant metabolic impairments such as acidosis, laminitis or bloat.
- Buffering leads to more consistent feed intake and potentially higher milk production.
- Selenium Alfalfa grown in the Selenium loaded soils of Eastern Saskatchewan is rich in available selenium which is necessary for the prevention of White Muscle Disease.
- Fibre source Alfalfa is a superior fibre source due to a lower proportion of cell walls and a higher proportion of digestible carbohydrates and protein.
- This allows dehy alfalfa to be consumed at higher levels than most forages.
- Alfalfa products are particularly beneficial if feeding high moisture feeds such as silage or green chop where gut capacity may limit feed intake.
- Reduction of Heat Stress Alfalfa is rich in available minerals, which are especially necessary in hot or humid climates.
- The hot cow doesn't want to move to go eat or drink and milk production drops.
- The available minerals of alfalfa replace minerals lost in sweating more rapidly, thereby making the cow feel less lethargic, resulting in her going to the feed bunk and eating more, bringing milk production back in line with levels found in cooler weather.
Some of the many benefits of the use of dehydrated alfalfa in dairy rations are:
- The protein quality of alfalfa is high.
- Amino acid profile mirrors that found in milk better than many other protein sources.
- This high quality protein source can help reduce the need for amino acid supplements in the diet and therefore overall diet cost.
- Rumen buffering is very important, especially when feeding high levels of concentrates.
- Rumen buffering prevents dramatic changes in rumen pH which cause costly and unpleasant metabolic impairments such as acidosis, laminitis or bloat.
- Buffering leads to more consistent feed intake and potentially higher milk production.
- This allows dehy alfalfa to be consumed at higher levels than most forages.
- Alfalfa products are particularly beneficial if feeding high moisture feeds such as silage or green chop where gut capacity may limit feed intake.
- The hot cow doesn't want to move to go eat or drink and milk production drops.
- The available minerals of alfalfa replace minerals lost in sweating more rapidly, thereby making the cow feel less lethargic, resulting in her going to the feed bunk and eating more, bringing milk production back in line with levels found in cooler weather.
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