Calves on Alfalfa

[clearcreek222]

Hello,
I have a question about grazing 400 lb calves on my alfalfa fields. We cut our last cutting sept 10th. Lots of regrowth on second year fields. Can you graze calves on them this winter when they are dry or frozen so as to minimize damage to the field. Has anyone done this or is it too much of a chance in damage. I see the price of calves and figure on running heifers till april or may. Possibly recoup a bit.
thank you for your advice.

 

[dun]

It isn;t the field that you need to be concerned with. It's the plant crowns themselves. The biggest thing we grazed the alfalfa fields with during the winter were range maggots. They weren;t as hard on the crowns as cattle/calves/horses

 

[Stocker Steve]

Yes.
Yes.
Calves are not a big crown damage issue. But, two other winter grazing problems:
1) Most leaves fall off a couple weeks after a killing frost
2) Energy is too low for high ADG.

I usually rest alfalfa mixes in the fall to build up root reserves and then graze it for a couple weeks after a killing frost. Next on to stockpiled fescue or cover crops, which hold condition much longer than alfalfa.