Further Studies on the Utilization of Alfalfa by Beef Steers

Abstract

Two experiments were conducted with beef steers in a study of methods used in the utilization of alfalfa; namely, 5- to 7-day rotational grazing, 1-day rotational grazing, strip grazing, haying, and soiling. In 1 experiment, forage consumption was measured through use of fecal collections and forage digestibility determined from the chromogen concentration in feces. Average daily gain for the steers fed green forage in the form of pasture and soilage was the same, while there was a significant decrease in daily gain when animals were fed alfalfa in the form of hay. In 1 experiment, the amounts of beef produced per acre expressed as percentages of that produced by the soilage was 77, 79, and 85 for 7-day rotational grazing, 1-day rotational grazing, and haying, respectively, while in the other experiment these were 64, 68, and 79 for 5-day rotational grazing, strip grazing, and haying, respectively. The forage consumed by the steers on pasture was considerably less than that consumed by the steers fed soilage but was of a much higher nutritive value because of selective grazing. Dry matter consumption by steers fed hay was greater than that of the steers fed soilage and pasture.