Seeing as no one else has responded, I'll take a stab at it. I have grazed many acres of alfalfa and alfalfa/mixed grass/clover pastures over the years. Usually with stockers, sometimes with cows/calves, also ewes/lambs. It always amazes me that more people don't utilize this high yielding, high quality feed source. Everyone you ever talk to immediately says that it can't be done without losing a few to bloat. Hogwash! I have yet to lose a single animal. That being said you can't just turn a few head out into a lush field and let em go. You absolutely need to be using MIG(Management Intensive Grazing) or HHDPG(Holistic High Density Planned Grazing). In my case I try not to graze when its overly immature. If the alfalfa is at pre bud to full bloom its perfect. I then give the animals only enough for what they will eat that day. Always watching my residuals and manure pats. Also I usually end up moving them toward the middle or end of the day. NOT WHEN ITS DEWEY! Animal performance is awesome. I now include a heavy dose of alfalfa seed In every pasture I seed. Not everyone can move their cattle everyday, so situations are always different. Just letting you know what works for me. I hope this helps.
