182 FEEDS AND FEEDING, ABRIDGED 



Feeding alfalfa hay. — Since it is rich both in protein and in mineral 

 matter, especially lime, which is needed in large amonnt in milk pro- 

 duction, alfalfa hay is a most excellent feed for dairy cows. ]\lore- 

 over, it is highly palatable and has a beneficial laxative effect. The 

 statement sometimes made that alfalfa hay is equal to wheat bran for 

 dairy cows is not true, however. It supplies only about nine-tenths as 

 much digestible crude protein as bran, contains nearly 3 times as much 

 fiber, and furnishes only 70 per ct. as much net energy. Altho much 

 less concentrates are needed when alfalfa hay is fed than when a 



Fig. 50. — Cutting Alfalfa in a Western Irrigated District 



Wherever it thrives, the acreage of alfalfa is_ rapidly increasing, clue to tlie 

 large yield of excellent hay it produces. (From'U. S. Reclamation Service.) 



roughage like timothy hay is used, all the concentrates in the ration 

 cannot be replaced, even by this most valuable roughage, without 

 reducing the milk yield of the cows. 



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

 revolutionized by the use of alfalfa hay, due to the large and econom- 

 ical gains secured when this protein-rich roughage is fed with the 

 carbonaceous grains and perhaps silage or wet beet pulp. Breeding 

 cattle and young stock wintered on alfalfa hay, preferably with silage 

 in addition, will more than maintain their weight. For breeding ewes, 

 alfalfa hay is equally satisfactory. Owing to the fondness of horses 



