Alfalfa Grass Mixtures in Dairy Rations

Alfalfa Grass Mixtures in Dairy Rations

by Dan Undersander

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Benefits of mixing grass with alfalfa:

  1. 30 to 40% grass mixed with alfalfa gives equal or higher yields than pure stands of alfalfa
    • Improved yield in seeding year.
    • Better yield in later years if alfalfa injured by winter, insects, disease.
  2. Alfalfa grass mixtures provide stand and yield over broader range of environmental conditions.
    • Grass remains in low spots were water stands.
    • Grass may not suffer winterkill.
    • Suffer less traffic damage and tolerate manure application better.
  3. If grass grows in later part of season, may widen harvest window.
  4. 30% grass mixed with alfalfa dries faster than pure alfalfa.
  5. Alfalfa-grass mixtures provide greater erosion control than pure alfalfa stands.
  6. Alfalfa-grass mixtures produce more palatable haylage than pure alfalfa.
  7. Adding some grass to alfalfa stands may benefit the dairy ration by lowering NFC because grass has less NFC.
    • Higher total fiber with grass/legume mixtures but faster rate of digestion of grass NDF.
    • Reduce lameness associated with too much nonfiberous carbohydrate (NFC).  20 to 20% of milking cows are mildly to seriously lame in Midwest United States (Cook, Oetzel and Nordlund, 2003).  This results in increased veterinary bills and reduces milk production (see table).  Causes:  58% due to disease or trauma, 42% due to nutrition (excessive grain and/or inadequate fiber).
    • Faster grass fiber digestion may allow increased NDF in ration without reducing intake or milk production.
    • Possible good fit with high NFC diets (i.e. high corn silage diets).