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Dehydrated Alfalfa as a Concentrate Substitute in Rations of Lactating Dairy Cows

Department of Animal and Poultry Science, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Saskatchewan S7N 0W0

ABSTRACT

Dehydrated alfalfa was evaluated in a voluntary intake and digestibility trial, a steer growth trial, and lactating dairy cow production trial. The dehydrated alfalfa used in these trials contained 17.6% crude protein (dry matter), 1.26% calcium, .29% phosphorus, and 37.2% acid detergent fiber. Dry matter digestibility was 50.8%, and digestibility of crude protein was 50.4%. When 100 to 180-kg Holstein steers were fed brome-alfalfa hay pellets, 50% dehydrated alfalfa pellets and 50% chopped hay, or 50% dehydrated alfalfa pellets/50% barley grain pellets in a double 4 x 4 Latin square feeding trial, rates of gain on the all forage ratios were similar (.95 to 1.1 kg daily) and about 18% lower than on dehydrated alfalfa-barley pellets. In the dairy production trial, feeds used in digestion and steer growth trials were utilized in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square. Rations consisted of 50% chopped brome-alfalfa hay and 50% concentrate. The four concentrates contained 0, 15, 30, or 45% dehydrated alfalfa pellets. Milk fat percentage was 10% higher when the 45% dehydrated alfalfa concentrate was fed. Total dry matter intakes were similar on all rations (20.2 to 21.2 kg daily), and body weight gains were not different (.47 to .59 kg gain daily). Dry matter digestibility was reduced to 60.8% for the 45% dehydrated concentrate feeding regimen from 62.3% for the control ration. In this feeding trial up to 45% dehydrated alfalfa pellets was included in the concentrate (22.5% of total ration) without detrimental effects on milk yield and composition or body weight.