Bloat

[debbie]

What is the danger of bloat in cattle on young alfalfa in the spring especially if putting in after a rain. What is the best time to graze alfalfa forage in the spring - how mature, how long after a rain?

 

[msscamp]

I'm sorry, I can't help you with your original question. But I am curious as to why you would graze your cows on your alfalfa instead of putting it up for hay?

 

[debbie]

I'm sorry, I can't help you with your original question. But I am curious as to why you would graze your cows on your alfalfa instead of putting it up for hay?

A lot of ranchers in our area have sold their cattle so we are renting their pasture because of drought, but a week before we shipped out it started to rain

 

[msscamp]

I'm sorry, I can't help you with your original question. But I am curious as to why you would graze your cows on your alfalfa instead of putting it up for hay?

A lot of ranchers in our area have sold their cattle so we are renting their pasture because of drought, but a week before we shipped out it started to rain

What does that have to do with haying the alfalfa instead of grazing it? I'm confused. Are you renting alfalfa fields for pasture?

 

[frenchie]

What is the danger of bloat in cattle on young alfalfa in the spring especially if putting in after a rain. What is the best time to graze alfalfa forage in the spring - how mature, how long after a rain?

Debbie check your P.M

 

[Big D]

Debbie, I don't know how much help this will be for you. I Graze alfalfa here in the western kansas desert. I usually wait about three weeks after a rain before turning into the regrowth. By then the hay is moisture stressing and I have little problem. This is something that is not for the faint of heart. I could not do it without rotational grazing, with the best of fences and the strongest of fencers. You will probably have to wait until it is ready to bloom before turning in, just depends on how fast the hay is growing. Also I use a nonionic surfactant in the drinking water at a rate of 10 oz. per 1000 gallons. I also use warm season grass pastures as refuge areas, I place the cattle on them when the hay is growing to fast for grazing. With this system I can carry 1 pr per acre. Straight grass out here would only support 1pr on 8 acre.

 

[dun]

I'm sorry, I can't help you with your original question. But I am curious as to why you would graze your cows on your alfalfa instead of putting it up for hay?

A lot of ranchers in our area have sold their cattle so we are renting their pasture because of drought, but a week before we shipped out it started to rain

What does that have to do with haying the alfalfa instead of grazing it? I'm confused. Are you renting alfalfa fields for pasture?

A cow can harvest alfalfa a whole lot more economically then a tractor. It makes great forage. As long as you have enough feed for the winter there's no reason to hay it.

dun

 

[jerry27150]

danger of bloat on alfalfa is high. there is a block you can put out to help, can't remember name poxolene or something like that. ask your feed man. what breed cattle you have makes a difference too. if you could keep a little hay out for them it would help also

 

[bigbull338]

yes you can graze alalfa but like grazing wheat w/o high mag minerals you will have trouble with cattle bloating spo you need to have them on high mag minerals 2wks fore you turn them on the alalfa fields scott

 

[jerry27150]

poloxalene blocks, i was close

 

[msscamp]

Thanks Dun!

 

[dun]

There was an article in BEEF this month about grazing freeze damaged alfalfa.

http://beef-mag.com/mag/beef_alfalfa_management_spring/

dun

 

[msscamp]

Thanks, I will check it out. Grazing alfalfa isn't something that happens much up here, at least that I am aware of. The demand for hay is too high. That is why I was curious.