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Comparative Value of Afalfa Pasture, Bromegrass Pasture, or Alfalfa Hay for Lactating Dairy Cows

Southeast Kansas Branch Station, Mound Valley, Kansas State University, Manhattan and Smith Kline and French Laboratories, Philadelphia

ABSTRACT

Thirty Holstein cows were distributed among three groups assigned at random to one of these roughage treatments: alfalfa pasture, bromegrass pasture, or alfalfa hay. Grain rations (12% protein for alfalfa or 16% for bromegrass) were fed at the rate of 1 kg per 3.5 kg milk. To prevent bloat, cows pastured on alfalfa received 20 g poloxalene daily. From 0–8 weeks cows grazing alfalfa pasture produced significantly more milk, fat, and solids-not-fat (SNF) than those grazing bromegrass. The bromegrass pasture group produced significantly more milk, fat, and solids-not-fat than those fed alfalfa hay. Daily forage dry matter intakes per cow in kilograms were: alfalfa pasture, 25.3; bromegrass, 11.5; alfalfa hay, 17.3. Cows on alfalfa hay gained weight; those on alfalfa pasture maintained their weight; those on bromegrass lost weight, perhaps from low dry matter intake. Considering cost of roughages equal, milk income over grain costs was significantly more from pastures than from hay.

¹ Contribution no. 13, Southeast Kansas Branch Station, Mound Valley.

² Contribution no. 704, Department of Dairy and Poultry Science, Kansas Agricultural Experiment Station, Manhattan.

³ Senior Statistician, Smith Kline and French Laboratories, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.

⁴ Assistant Veterinary Medical Director, Research and Development Division, Smith Kline and French Laboratories. Present address: Brawley, California.