228 FEEDS AND FEEDING 



all or most of the grain the yield of milk is considerably reduced. 6 

 (611-612) 



The fattening of cattle and sheep in the western states has been revolu- 

 tionized by the use of alfalfa hay, due to the large and economical 

 gains secured when this protein-rich roughage is combined with the 

 carbonaceous grains and perhaps silage or wet beet pulp. (766-8, 857-9) 

 The direct comparisons which have been made of alfalfa hay and red 

 clover hay for fattening cattle and sheep have shown that they have 

 about equal value, when other feeds in the ration supply plenty of 

 protein. In a ration otherwise low in protein, alfalfa hay will be 

 superior to clover, due to its higher protein content. 



Alfalfa hay is unexcelled for breeding cattle and sheep and also 

 for young stock. 7 Breeding cows can be wintered in good condition 

 without grain on alfalfa hay, preferably with corn silage in addition. 

 (788) For ewes it is also excellent. (884) 



Alfalfa hay is exceedingly valuable for brood sows in winter, as it 

 is much more palatable to these animals than clover hay. (1016) Even 

 for fattening pigs a limited amount of alfalfa hay is sometimes eco- 

 nomical. (1010) 



340. Pasturing alfalfa. Alfalfa is not primarily a pasture plant, for 

 it grows from buds on the crowns instead of by a lengthening of the lower 

 parts of the stems and blades, as with the grasses. Especially in humid 

 regions grazing is apt to injure the stand. Cattle and sheep on alfalfa 

 pasture are, moreover, subject to bloat. Nevertheless, this crop furnishes 

 such nutritious pasture that it is grazed on many farms even in the east- 

 ern states. To avoid serious injury to the stand, fields should never be 

 pastured until they have become well established and animals should be 

 kept off when the ground is frozen, soft, or muddy. Heavy stocking 

 of the pasture is decidedly injurious, especially with horses and sheep, 

 which gnaw the plants to the ground. Except in districts to which alfalfa 

 is especially well adapted it is best to provide a sufficient area of pasture 

 so that the animals will not keep it grazed so closely but what consid- 

 erable will grow up to be cut for hay once or twice during the season. 

 Some recommend dividing the area to be pastured into three plots, 

 and pasturing alternately, cutting for hay at the usual stages, 8 but this 

 is not necessary if the above precautions are taken. Except in mild 

 climates, alfalfa should be allowed to grow to a height of 6 to 12 inches 

 in the fall for winter protection. 



Alfalfa pasture is especially suitable for horses and pigs, which are 

 not subject to bloat. Gramlich of the Nebraska Station 9 found that 

 horses fed hay at noon only and turned on alfalfa pasture at night 

 stood hard farm work as well as others which were dry-fed. For colts 

 and young horses the succulent alfalfa, rich in protein and mineral 

 matter, is especially helpful. (509) This pasture is the foundation of 

 cheap pork production on thousands of farms. (984-5) 



6 N. J. Bui. 204. "Alfalfa Farming In America, p. 337. 



7 Kan. Bui. 114. 8 Nebr. Exten. Bui. 28. 



