Grazing Alfalfa? Proceed With Caution

Cattle producers in the northern U.S. and Canada are no strangers to grazing alfalfa in the fall and winter to meet herd feeding needs. It can provide much-needed protein and energy to a herd’s ration, especially for animals that require a lot of both like lactating and pregnant cows. But the practice has some risks; cattle grazing alfalfa can experience issues with bloat and inflict damage to an alfalfa field’s long-term yield potential and viability. The crop can be toxic when grazed too soon after a killing freeze, and it’s important to limit grazing time so cattle don’t remove too much of the plants above the crown roots. Damage to both the crop and animals grazing it can be prevented by providing a supplement like a surfactants or anti-foaming agent. See more on grazing alfalfa this time of year.