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PubMed1992

Predicting the profitability of alfalfa silage and pasture feeding systems for Holstein steers.

Data from two research trials were used as inputs to a model to project the return to capital of two-phase alfalfa silage and pasture feeding systems for Holstein steers. This approach presents a methodology for applying research data over widely varying conditions. Cattle received a 40% (High = H), 22% (Medium = M), or 8% (Low = L) alfalfa silage diet or grazed an orchardgrass/ryegrass pasture (Pasture = P) during Period 1. During Period 2, cattle consumed a 90% concentrate diet until ultrasonic attenuation predicted that the longissimus muscle contained a small degree of marbling. All systems produced similar carcass grades, so profitability differences resulted from relationships between feed requirements, cost of feed, and cost of time. Cattle grazed on pasture yielded a higher return to capital during Period 1 and over the entire feeding system. Among the other systems, L returned more to capital during Period 1, but over the entire feeding system additional silage returned more when silage cost was less than $32 per 1.02 t (as fed). Above this cost, the continuous 90% concentrate diet yielded a higher return. Cattle implanted with trenbolone acetate and estradiol returned $60 in Trial 1 and $86 in Trial 2 more per animal than did unimplanted steers.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1993

Influence of addition of monensin to an alfalfa hay diet on net portal and hepatic nutrient flux in steers.

Six Holstein steers (381 +/- 11 kg BW; mean +/- SE) surgically fitted with hepatic portal (n = 6), hepatic venous (n = 4), mesenteric venous, and arterial catheters were used in a replicated crossover design experiment to evaluate the influence of monensin addition to an alfalfa hay diet on net portal and hepatic nutrient flux. Steers were fed 6.5 kg of DM/d in 12 portions using automatic feeders. Diets included chopped alfalfa hay (20.4% CP) plus 418 g of DM/d of finely ground corn (8.5% CP) with monensin added (240 mg/d) for treated steers. Experimental periods lasted 21 d, with blood samples taken on the final 2 d of each period. Five sets of arterial, portal, and hepatic blood samples were collected hourly from 0900 to 1300 each day. Ruminal fluid samples were collected by stomach tube at the end of each sampling day for VFA analysis. Blood flow was determined by a primed-continuous infusion of p-aminohippurate into the mesenteric venous catheter. Addition of monensin increased (P = .04) the molar percentage of ruminal propionate and decreased ruminal isobutyrate (P = .02) and isovalerate (P = .03). Percentages of the other ruminal VFA, total ruminal VFA concentration, and pH were not affected by feeding monensin. The arterial concentrations of L-lactate (P = .02) and beta-hydroxybutyrate (P = .01) were greater with monensin; however, none of the arterial concentrations of the other metabolites was changed. Feeding of monensin also did not affect (P > .10) portal, hepatic, or hepatic arterial blood flow.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1996

Effects of alfalfa root saponins on digestive function in sheep.

The effects of alfalfa saponins on ruminal pH and VFA concentrations, protozoal numbers, forestomach motility, and digesta flow from the rumen were examined in this experiment. In a preliminary study, either 800 or 1600 mg/kg of saponins per kg BW were administered intraruminally in a single dose to one of two 60-kg wethers. Ruminal contractions were suppressed within 15 min. The study was terminated when one wether didn't recover. Saponins were then administered intraruminally in two equal doses daily into four ruminally and duodenally cannulated wethers (60 +/- 1 kg) in amounts equivalent to 0, 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg BW daily in a 4 x 4 Latin Square arrangement. Saponins increased VFA concentrations (P = .001) and lowered ruminal pH (P = .001) after 2 d of administration. On d 2 and d 14, saponins decreased (P < .01) protozoal populations. On d 11, pressure changes during ruminal contractions increased by 79% during resting (P = .06), 202% during feeding (P = .05), and 53% during an 8-h period (P = .08) as the level of saponins increased from 0 to 800 mg/kg BW. Administered saponins increased duodenal flows of OM and total N by 19 and 26%, respectively (P = .04 and .01). Apparent total tract N digestibility was reduced (P = .02) by 5% at the highest saponin dosage. We conclude that alfalfa may contain enough saponins to adversely impact ruminoreticular motility. Saponins also caused decreased ruminal protozoal populations, increased flow of total duodenal N, and reduced ruminal and total tract apparent digestibilities.

Animals↗

PubMed1996

Effect of fungal biomass in alfalfa hay on intake and total tract digestion in growing beef calves.

Two experiments were conducted to determine effects of fungal biomass (FB), as determined by glucosamine analysis, in alfalfa hay on intake and total tract digestion when fed to growing beef calves. Mycotoxins were not detected in hays used for these experiments. A feedlot trial using 40 weaned Angus calves (270.2 +/- 9.7 kg) showed that DM intake was not affected (P > .05) by FB content of the hay diets. No adaptation response was observed when animals with no previous exposure to molded feed were introduced to hay containing various levels of FB. Hematocrit and plasma cortisol levels were not affected (P > .05) by the presence of FB in the hay. Eight steers were used, in two 4 x 4 Latin squares, for intake and total tract digestibility determinations of two alfalfa hays having similar nutrient profiles but differ in FB concentrations. Hays were fed in long or chopped form. Level of FB did not affect (P > .05) DM intake or total tract DM digestibility. Neutral detergent fiber and ADF digestibilities were 5.4 and 3.7 percentage units higher (P < .05), respectively, for hay with a high vs low FB concentration. Forage chopping reduced (P < .05) DM, NDF, ADF, and CP digestibilities; the effect being similar for the two hay types tested. Results suggest that FB concentrations ranging from 2.9 to 5.5 mg/g of DM do not affect DM intake, however, nutrient digestion can be influenced by molding during field wilting or storage.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed2000

Grazing methods and stocking rates for direct-seeded alfalfa pastures: I. Plant productivity and animal performance.

A 4-yr study was conducted to determine the effects of two grazing methods (GM) at two stocking rates (SR) on alfalfa pasture plant productivity and animal performance and to ascertain the effect of grazing systems on subsequent performance of steers fed a high-concentrate diet. Eight pasture plots (.76 ha) were seeded in 1988 with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L. var. WL225) and divided into two blocks of four pastures each. Grazing methods consisted of a traditional four-paddock or an intensive 13-paddock system. Pastures were managed to allow a 36-d rest period with an average grazing season of 110 d. The low and high SR were 5.9 vs 11.7, 5.3 vs 10.5, 5.3 vs 7.9, and 5.3 vs 7.9 steers/ha for years 1989 to 1992, respectively. Following the grazing season, steers were placed in a feedlot and fed a high-concentrate diet (81% high-moisture corn, 14% corn silage, 5% protein-mineral supplement) for an average of 211 d. There was no effect of GM on herbage mass, pasture phase ADG, or live weight gain/hectare. Increasing the number of paddocks was beneficial when herbage mass was limited and stocking rate was above 7.9 steers/ha. Increasing SR above 7.9 steers/ha decreased herbage mass and pasture-phase ADG. As forage allowance increased, pasture-phase ADG increased quadratically (R2 = .82, P < .001), reached a plateau, and then decreased. Previous grazing system did not influence the performance of steers in the feedlot or their carcass characteristics. Optimum SR is dependent on herbage mass produced.

Animal Husbandry↗

PubMed1980

Effects of dietary energy, free choice alfalfa hay and mass medication on calves subjected to marketing and shipping stresses.

Five-hundred and fourteen calves subjected to the stresses of marketing and shipping from Florida to New Mexico were used to study performance after arrival at the feedlot. Flaked milo diets containing 50 and 75% concentrates promoted more rapid recovery of purchase weight and more efficient gains than a diet containing 25% concentrates. Free-choice alfalfa hay with the flaked milo diets reduced death loss, number of calves requiring medication and number of treatments per medicated calf. A 3-day mass medication with oxytetracycline injected intramuscularly at 11 mg/kg body weight reduced death loss and number of calves requiring subsequent medication. Calves requiring subsequent medication, however, needed more treatments than control calves. Dry matter and energy digestion determined with lambs increased with concentrate level but decreased with addition of alfalfa hay. New energy intake was highest for the 50% concentrate diet during the first week and for the 75% concentrate diet during the next 3 weeks of the 4-week receiving period.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Influence of dietary alfalfa:orchardgrass hay and lasalocid on in vitro estimates of dry matter digestibility and volatile fatty acid concentrations of cecal contents and rate of digesta passage in sows.

Four mature crossbred sows were fistulated in the cecum, with two sows fed a corn-alfalfa:orchardgrass hay (46%) diet (CH) and two fed a corn-soybean meal diet (CS). Four experiments were conducted to evaluate buffers, incubation times, buffer pH and substrate and inocula sources in an in vitro, anaerobic, mixed-culture system. In vitro dry matter digestibility (IVDMD) and substrate solubility in buffer (SS) were determined. In Exp. 1, substrates were CH and CS diets with cecal inocula obtained from CH- and CS-fed sows. The bicarbonate (B) buffer resulted in lower (P less than .01) and less variable SS for all treatments. In vitro dry matter digestibility was higher (P less than .01) for the CS diet at both 24 and 48 h incubation. Use of the B buffer also resulted in higher (P less than .001) IVDMD values. In Exp. 2, substrates were either as in Exp. 1 or were freeze-dried cecal contents (CC) from CH- or CS-fed sows. In vitro dry matter digestibility of CC was lower (P less than .006) than IVDMD of diet, while IVDMD was higher (P less than .02) with cecal inocula than fecal inocula. In Exp. 3, substrate-inocula treatments were CH-CH, CH-CS, CS-CH and CS-CS. Substrate solubility was lower (P less than .05) at pH 5.8 than at pH 6.8. In vitro dry matter digestibility was higher when substrate and inocula were from the same source and at pH 5.8. In Exp. 4, CC and inocula were from sows fed CH and CS diets with or without lasalocid. In vitro dry matter digestibility was higher with CC from lasalocid-fed sows and inocula from sows fed no lasalocid. The CH diet resulted in higher acetate (Ac) and lower propionate (Pr) molar proportions than did the CS diet, while lasalocid increased molar proportion Pr and decreased molar proportion Ac in cecal contents from sows fed either diet. Corn-alfalfa:orchardgrass hay-fed sows had a faster rate of digesta passage and shorter cecal retention time than did CS-fed sows.

Animals↗

PubMed1985

Effects of dietary alfalfa:orchardgrass hay and lasalocid on nutrient utilization by gravid sows.

Twenty-four third- and fourth-parity crossbred gravid sows were housed in metabolism stalls and randomly allotted to four dietary treatments: corn-alfalfa:orchardgrass hay (46%; CH), CH plus lasalocid (CHL), corn-soybean meal (CS) or CS plus lasalocid (CSL). Daily feed intake was 2.36 kg for CH- and CHL-fed sows and 1.66 kg for CS- and CSL-fed sows. Lasalocid intake was 110 mg X sow-1 X d-1. Total feces and urine were collected during two 5-d collection periods, 40 and 80 d postcoitum. Digestible energy (DE), metabolizable energy (ME), nitrogen (N) retention, dry matter (DM), neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF) digestibilities, and retention of calcium (Ca), total phosphorus (P), magnesium (Mg), sodium (Na) and potassium (K) were determined. Percentage DE and ME were greater (P less than .0001) for CS- and CSL-fed sows (88.3 and 83.4%) than for CH- and CHL-fed sows (65.2 and 61.3%). Lasalocid did not influence (P greater than .05) DE and ME values but decreased (P less than .01) the ME:DE ratio. Percentage N digestibility was greater (P less than .0001) for CS- and CSL-fed sows (85.7%) than for CH- and CHL-fed sows (60.8%), but there was no significant difference in N retention, expressed as a percentage of N intake. Lasalocid increased (P less than .03) percentage N digestibility; however, the diet X additive interaction decreased (P less than .005) grams N retained X sow-1 X d-1 for CSL-fed sows. The CH- and CHL-fed sows digested more grams of DM, NDF and ADF but had lower percentage digestibilities of DM and fiber fractions than did CS- and CSL-fed sows. The diet X additive interaction decreased (P less than .05) percentages of Ca, P and K digested and decreased (P less than .05) grams mineral retained (Ca, P, Mg and K) and mineral retained expressed as a percentage of intake for CSL-fed sows. Results indicate that alfalfa:orchardgrass hay and lasalocid influenced energy, fiber, nitrogen and mineral utilization by gravid sows.

Animals↗

PubMed1986

Effects of dietary alfalfa-orchardgrass hay and lasalocid on sow reproductive performance.

Forty-eight second, third and fourth parity crossbred sows were randomly allotted to four dietary treatments: corn:alfalfa-orchardgrass hay (46%; CH); CH plus lasalocid (CHL); corn-soybean meal (CS) or CS plus lasalocid (CSL). Sows were fed these diets through two successive gestations with dietary treatment initiated at 35 d post-coitum and continued until parturition. To equalize daily metabolizable energy intake (6.6 Mcal/sow), 2.64 kg of CH and CHL diets and 1.86 kg of CS and CSL diets were fed. Lasalocid intake was 130 mg X sow-1 X d-1. Sows were weighed and backfat measurements were taken at 35 and 109 d of gestation. Sows also were weighed 14 d postpartum. A 14% crude protein corn-soybean meal diet was fed ad libitum to all sows during lactation and feed intake was recorded. Colostrum samples were obtained within 4 h of farrowing. All live piglets were weighed at birth and 14 d of age. There were no significant differences among dietary treatments in number of live piglets born, piglet birth weight, piglet weight at 14 d of age or sow rebreeding efficiency. Sows fed CHL and CSL diets had more (P less than .12) live piglets at 14 d postpartum and lower (P less than .03) total fat in colostrum than did CH- and CS-fed sows. Alfalfa-orchardgrass hay feeding resulted in less (P less than .04) backfat deposition during gestation, more (P less than .04) weight loss from 109 d postcoitum to 14 d postpartum and increased (P less than .002) feed consumption during lactation.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Adipose Tissue↗

PubMed1996

Identification of three highly expressed replacement histone H3 genes of alfalfa.

One genomic and six cDNA clones for the replacement histone H3.2 protein of alfalfa (Medicago sativa) were isolated and sequenced. By gene organization they represent 3 distinct genes. PCR methods were used to confirm that only three intron-bearing histone H3.2 genes of this type exist per haploid genome. They co-exist with approximately 56 copies of the previously characterized replication-dependent, intronless histone H3.1 variant gene. Comparison of the relative expression of few constitutive H3.2 genes with the high S phase expression of the abundant cell cycle-dependent H3.1 genes by mRNA levels and protein synthesis measurements revealed that the replacement histone H3.2 genes are very highly expressed. Structural analysis of the genomic replacement H3.2 gene revealed a unique feature. A repeated polypyrimidine sequence motif in the 5' untranslated region of this gene replaces the ubiquitous intron present in all known replacement H3 genes. A hypothesis is presented that this motif and other, non-randomly distributed polypyrimidine sequences in the introns of replacement histone H3 genes of alfalfa and Arabidopsis, may affect nucleosome assembly. Chromatin repression of these replacement genes would be avoided, consistent with the high, constitutive expression of replacement H3 histone genes in plants.

Amino Acid Sequence↗

PubMed2003

The effect of reducing alfalfa haylage particle size on cows in early lactation.

The objective of this experiment was to evaluate effects of reducing forage particle size on cows in early lactation based on measurements of the Penn State Particle Separator (PSPS). Eight cannulated, multiparous cows averaging 19 +/- 4 d in milk and 642 +/- 45 kg BW were assigned to one of two 4 x 4 Latin Squares. During each of the 23-d periods, animals were offered one of four diets, which were chemically identical but included alfalfa haylage of different particle size; short (SH), mostly short (MSH), mostly long (MLG), and long (LG). Physically effective neutral detergent fiber (peNDF) was determined by measuring the amount of neutral detergent fiber retained on a 1.18 mm screen and was similar across diets (25.7, 26.2, 26.4, 26.7%) but the amount of particles >19.0 mm significantly decreased with decreasing particle size. Reducing haylage particle size increased dry matter intake linearly (23.3, 22.0, 20.9, 20.8 kg for SH, MSH, MLG, LG, respectively). Milk production and percentage fat did not differ across treatments averaging 35.5 +/- 0.68 kg milk and 3.32 +/- 0.67% fat, while a quadratic effect was observed for percent milk protein, with lowest values being observed for LG. A quadratic effect was observed for mean rumen pH (6.04, 6.15, 6.13, 6.09), while A:P ratio decreased linearly (2.75, 2.86, 2.88, 2.92) with decreasing particle size. Total time ruminating increased quadratically (467, 498, 486, 468 min/d), while time eating decreased linearly (262, 253, 298, 287 min/d) with decreasing particle size. Both eating and ruminating per unit of neutral detergent fiber intake decreased with reducing particle size (35.8, 36.7, 44.9, 45.6 min/kg; 19.9, 23.6, 23.5, 23.5 min/kg). Although chewing activity was closely related to forage particle size, effects on rumen pH were small, indicating factors other than particle size are critical in regulating pH when ration neutral detergent fiber met recommended levels. Feeding alfalfa haylage based rations of reduced particle size resulted in animals consuming more feed but did not affect milk production.

Ammonia↗

PubMed2005

Monensin for lactating dairy cows grazing mixed-alfalfa pasture and supplemented with partial mixed ration.

The effect of monensin on milk production was evaluated in 58 lactating Holstein cows (48 multiparous; 10 primiparous) grazing a mixed-alfalfa pasture and supplemented with a partial mixed ration in a completely randomized design with repeated measurements. Cows were paired by calving date, lactation number, previous lactation milk production, body weight, and body condition score and were assigned to one of 2 treatments: control or monensin. Cows on the monensin treatment received 2 monensin controlled-release capsules (335 mg/d for 90 d), one 30 d before the expecting calving date and the other 60 d after calving. Short-term (0 to 150 d in milk) and long-term (305-d adjusted lactation) effects of monensin were evaluated. Pasture (measured by difference between pre- and postgrazing pasture mass), supplements, and total dry matter intake did not differ between treatments and averaged 8.7, 14.1, and 22.9 kg/d, respectively. In the short-term, monensin increased milk production (27.7 vs. 26.6 kg/d) and milk protein yield (0.890 vs. 0.860 kg/d); milk fat yield was not affected (0.959 kg/d). Monensin decreased milk fat content (3.51 vs. 3.60%) with no changes in milk protein content (3.25%). In the long term, milk production and milk protein yield were also increased by monensin: 214 and 7 kg, respectively. Monensin reduced the loss of body condition score and increased percentage of pregnancy at first service (44.8 vs. 20.7%). Monensin improves production and reproduction performance of dairy cows grazing a mixed-alfalfa pasture and supplemented with a partial mixed ration.

Animals↗

PubMed2005

Milk production and nitrogen excretion of dairy cows fed different amounts of protein and varying proportions of alfalfa and corn silage.

Four trials were conducted to determine the effect of dietary protein amount on lactation performance and N utilization. Each trial used one of the following alfalfa-to-corn-silage ratios for the forage part of the diet: 100:0, 75:25, 50:50, and 25:75. All trials utilized 16 mid-lactation Holstein cows (days in milk averages ranging from 80 to 140 among trials) in a replicated 4 x 4 Latin square design with 3-wk periods, including 2 wk for adaptation and 1 wk for data collection. Diets consisted of 50% forage and 50% concentrate (dry matter basis) and were formulated to contain 15.00, 16.25, 17.50, or 18.75% protein in each trial. The analyzed protein content of the diets was 15.7, 16.9, 18.0, and 19.2% when averaged across trials. Milk yield was similar among dietary protein levels in each trial, ranging from 35.2 to 36.1 kg/d when data were combined across trials. Changes in milk fat and protein due to the protein content of the diet were small and inconsistent. Both milk urea nitrogen and blood urea nitrogen concentrations increased linearly as the protein content of the diet was increased, ranging from 9.9 to 13.1 and from 9.9 to 13.8 mg/dL, respectively, across trials. As dietary protein was increased from the lowest to the highest concentrations when data were combined and analyzed, mean fecal N concentration increased from 2.8 to 3.0%, and urinary N from 5.8 to 7.3 g/L. At the same time, mean total N excretion increased from 484 to 571 g/d, and conversion of intake N to milk N decreased from 0.27 to 0.22, resulting in an average change of 18%. Of the N excreted, urinary N accounted for an increasing proportion, ranging from 41 to 48%, as dietary protein was increased. Overall, based on N utilization as well as milk production, 17% protein in diets utilizing various proportions of alfalfa and corn silage as the forage source appeared sufficient for cows producing 38 kg/d of milk in this study.

Animal Nutritional Physiological Phenomena↗

PubMed1980

Evaluation of an alfalfa silage-corn silage roughage feeding program for raising dairy heifers.

One hundred and ninety-seven dairy heifers, which included a Holstein line, an Ayrshire line, and a reciprocal cross line, were assigned randomly to two forage treatments at 57 days of age. Forages fed to control heifers consisted of 40% grass-legume hay, 20% wilted grass silage, and 40% corn silage (dry matter). The second, or silage group, was fed a dry matter mixture of 40% corn silage and 60% direct cut alfalfa silage, formic acid treated. Both groups of heifers were fed the same quantity of calf starter and calf grower rations. In general, heifer weight and size were greater with the all-silage forage. At 350 and 574 days of age, heifers on the all-silage ration were heavier than their controls. Heifers fed the all-silage ration had greater heart girths and wither heights. Reproductive performance, as measured by the number of services per conception, was not significantly different in the two treatment group. There were no health problems that could be attributed directly to dietary treatment. Dairy heifers were reared successfully on a forage mixture of corn silage and formic acid treated alfalfa silage when additional concentrate was fed during the 1st yr.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1986

Rumen clearance rates in relation to the occurrence of alfalfa bloat in cattle. 1. Passage of water-soluble markers.

Ruminal chlorophyll and rates of passage of two water-soluble markers were simultaneously determined in cattle with different susceptibilities to alfalfa bloat. The markers showed a slower rate of passage from the rumens of more susceptible cattle where the average half-lives for cobalt-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid and chromium-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid were 12 to 17 h. Average half-life of the markers was 8 h in the rumens of the less susceptible animals. In agreement, chloroplast particles in the liquid phase of rumen contents showed greater accumulation in animals susceptible to bloat, but many more observations were required to detect differences in chlorophyll among animals. This was partly due to the unhomogeneous dispersion of chloroplast fragments in the reticulorumen compared with the uniform distribution of the inert markers. Differences in rumen volumes (estimated from the quantity of marker administered and its initial concentration) were detected among animals, but these did not show a relationship to bloat susceptibility. In vitro studies indicated that alfalfa chloroplast particles were not readily degraded by rumen microorganisms. Our results support earlier conclusions on slower rates of salivation for cattle that bloat compared with those that do not.

Animals↗

PubMed1987

Digestibility by lambs of water-stressed alfalfa as determined by total collection or internal markers.

A lamb digestion trial was conducted to compare the ability of internal markers to predict digestibility of alfalfa. Lambs were fed alfalfa hay grown with varying amounts of water stress where water per harvest ranged from 10 to 20 cm/ha and yield ranged 1400 to 4200 kg/ha. In vivo dry matter digestibility was most highly correlated with digestibility determined using acid detergent fiber insoluble ash (r = .80) followed by acid insoluble ash (r = .69). In vivo digestibility of the fibrous components was most highly correlated with digestibility determined by acid detergent insoluble ash and indigestible neutral detergent fiber followed by acid lignin and acid insoluble ash.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1989

Effect of chemical drying agents on alfalfa hay and milk production response when fed to dairy cows in early lactation.

Third-cutting alfalfa hay cut at bud stage was treated with a drying agent consisting of potassium carbonate, sodium carbonate, and citric acid at the rate of 280.6 L/ha (1 kg/37.47 L water) to alternate swaths 4.27-m wide. Hay samples were taken at cutting and at 4-h intervals during daylight until baling was initiated. Twenty lactating Holstein cows were randomly assigned to untreated and treated alfalfa hay treatments in a switch-back design. Individual feed intakes and milk yields were recorded daily. Milk composition was analyzed once weekly. Drying rates were: .40 and .48% moisture/h for control and Na2-K2CO3-citrate treatments, respectively. There was no significant difference between treatments in feed composition parameters nor in vitro DM digestibility parameters. Cows fed the hay treated with Na2-K2CO3-citrate had a higher mean daily milk yield, adjusted for feed intake, compared with cows fed untreated hay (33.0 versus 32.5 kg/d). There were no significant differences in milk composition between treatments.

Animal Feed↗

PubMed1989

Effect of particle size of alfalfa hay on intake, digestibility, milk yield, and ruminal cell wall of dairy cattle.

Alfalfa hay was chopped in a tubgrinder containing screens with apertures of 31, 63, or 100 mm. The hays were fed with concentrate to lactating cows (Experiment 1) and without concentrate to nonlactating, fistulated cows (Experiment 2). The objective was to find effects of forage particle size upon intake, digestibility, milk yield, and ruminal cell wall. In Experiment 1, there were no significant effects of forage particle size upon forage or total DM intake, digestibility of NDF, cellulose, nitrogen retained, milk yield, or milk fat percent. Digestibility of DM, ADF, and protein increased as particle size decreased. In Experiment 2, forage DM intake was greater for the 63 than the 100-mm forage but digestibility of cell wall and DM were not different among treatments. Ruminal volume for the 31 and 63-mm forages was greater than the 100-mm forage. Ruminal DM and ruminal cell wall were greater for the 63-mm forage than the 100-mm forage, with the 31-mm forage in between. Increased volume, DM, and cell wall probably account for increased intake of the 63-mm forage. Chopping alfalfa to these three sizes had no particularly positive or negative effects on animal productivity.

Animal Feed↗