How to Graze Alfalfa

For many producers grazing alfalfa is not only new, it is down right scary! Whether it is a matter of cost, fear of bloat; or belief that grazing kills alfalfa, there are a number of reasons many producers have for not grazing alfalfa. Most of these reasons are the result of confusion and a simple lack of understanding as to how to successfully manage alfalfa for grazing. With the advent of grazing tolerant alfalfa starting with Alfagraze, a variety that was released in 1990, more farmers are growing alfalfa for grazing each year. 

In recent years, we have seen and visited with farmers who have switched to alfalfa from pure grass pastures and even clovers and have now increased beef cattle daily gains on steer cattle from 1 to 1.5 pounds with straight grass to 2.5-2.8 pounds a day for a 170-200 day grazing period with alfalfa and grass mixtures.

There also an increasing number of reports from dairy farmers who have experienced feed costs reduction by 50% or more during their grazing season. Such responses can and are getting a lot of attention and bringing on big changes as these reports are released.

Here are the primary steps to get this program working for you:

1. Successful grazing has to start with a good alfalfa stand. Begin with a current soil test and if necessary modify the pH to 6.5 and above. Select a proven (authentic) grazing tolerant alfalfa variety. There are some ‘me-too’ varieties that have not been thoroughly tested under third party conditions and do not hold up to expectations. So be sure of what you are using and ask to see data on any variety you are planning to purchase and use. Alfagraze is the first true grazing tolerant variety that was developed and released (by the University of Georgia) and is our exclusive variety since the release in 1990. This variety is the one that has set the pattern and defied all sorts of challenges and remains in our ‘stable’ of grazing tolerant varieties. Since it was released, we have released four newer models which include: AmeriStand 403T, and AmeriGraze 401+Z that are ideal for the middle states, AmeriGraze 201+Z for the extreme northern and northern Midwestern states, and AmeriGraze 701, and AmeriGraze 702 for the Deep Southern states. Adjust seeding rates to the conventional rates for your area. For most of the Northeastern states this standard is 15-18 pounds per acre. Include a grass when seeding when needed for erosion control or as an aid for bloat control. Control weeds and insects to enhance establishment and production.

2. Guard against bloat. One of the biggest reasons farmers shy away from growing alfalfa for grazing is the fear of bloat. Fear can be reduced with experience and with some good common sense and tried and proven techniques. 1) Pre-fill hungry (and emaciated) animals with dry hay or bulk feed. 2) Under close personal supervision, put animals on alfalfa pastures for short periods initially and increase their stay as they become accustomed to the forage. 3) Keep high quality hay available during grazing. 4) Watch the animals closely on cool wet days. Lush forage increases consumption thus increases bloat potential particularly at this stage of growth and climatic condition.5) Poloxolene (Bloat Guard is one product) fed prior to and during grazing according to recommendations reduces bloat.6) Sell the few chronic bloaters while they are among the living.

3. Decide how you want to graze. Will it be continuous or rotational grazing? The grazing tolerant varieties will survive close, continuous grazing and still bounce back. But such management will reduce yields and allow more unwanted weed invasion. If you should choose to graze continuously, you should maintain 7-8 inches of growth throughout the grazing season.

4. When you rotationally graze and cattle are cycled off for two to three weeks or more, growth can be taken down to 2-3 inches. Rotational grazing with higher stocking rates is made easier with the recent introduction of lightweight movable fencing and water systems. The big payoff to rotation grazing however is higher performance and more meat and milk is produced per acre at less cost and you, instead of the animals are in charge of when and where they graze and when and if surplus growth occurs, how it will be harvested.

5. Grazing in the establishment year. The first crop can be cut for hay at early bloom or it can be grazed at early bloom if the ground is firm and will support cattle treading. Grazing can continue, depending on the weather about three to four weeks later when the alfalfa is 10-12 inches tall. In areas with cold winters, remove the stock four to five weeks prior to the historic freeze for winter stand protection.

6. Grazing alfalfa after the seedling year is much simpler. You can start putting you animals on the alfalfa pastures when the growth is about six inches tall. As the pasture in the field exceeds the needs, reduce the size of the field to cut back to their needs. Continue to reduce the size of the grazing area until the first area grazed has recovered and is 10-12 inches high. Such a rotation usually takes 21-24 days. Should a surplus occur, harvest this excess for hay or for silage for use if and when a stress period (drought etc) occurs or for wintertime feeding.

Livestock should be removed four to five weeks ahead of the historic freeze date to help prevent wintertime damage. In the northern most areas, it is always wise to leave some excess growth for further protection against ice damage.

Now you can graze alfalfa and enjoy the highest net returns from pastures you have dreamed about for years. I have been saying for the past decade that the most important discovery in alfalfa breeding at least in the past 50 years was the discovery of the Grazing Tolerant Trait. Now we have the highest quality, highest yielding legume that will live longer and now can be used about any way we want it to be used as grazing, hay or silage or even for food plots for wildlife. In the meanwhile, our breeders have not sacrificed yields, quality, and persistence. To the contrary as shown in university trials, these newer varieties are some of the top varieties in all of these aspects. Plus, one of them (AmeriStand 403T) has been found to be extremely resistant to wheel traffic when harvested as hay or silage. In more recent studies, this same variety has been found to be resistant to manure burn when farmers find they must scatter manure at in-opportune times. What added bonuses these are when seeding these selections.

So there you have it. At last there are some alfalfas on the market that will endure under so many conditions that would have killed them just a decade ago. But you must keep in mind this is still alfalfa. To make this crop be highly productive for several years it needs to be grown on deep well drained soils. Don’t forget to keep the pH level at 6.5 and above and monitor and hold the fertility levels responsibly.