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A Publication of Certified Alfalfa Seed Council, Inc. • P.O. Box 1017, Davis, California 95617-1017.19161752-0572 June 1987 Excerpts from recent alfalfa articles aad research reports Vol. 7 No. 2 Grazing Alfalfa The only trouble with grazing alfalfa is that not enough producers do it, accord- For 114ore Profit ing to Larry Corah, Kansas State University extension livestock specialist. Graz- ingalfalfa takes a higher level of management than most grazing systems, but an average daily gain of 1.5 to 2 pounds per head is possible. These results are particularly attractive w ern cattle prices are high and hay prices are low. Livestock producers can expect from 120 to 180 days of grazing under awell- managed alfalfa grazing system lunder Kansas conditions). If irrigation and fer- tilization are included in the management, the stocking rates should be about five or six head per acre, yielding 1,000 to 1,800 pounds of beef per acre. same He recommends the use of temporary electric fencing to make the paddocks, either on an imgated circle or rectangular pasture. A further recommendation is C to provide a catch pen, either in the center of the irrigation circle, or at the end of the rectangular pasture. The catch pen in the circle should be about 200 feet in diameter. In the rectangular field, it should be about 30 feet deep and long enough so it's as wide as the inside paddocks. The catch pens are needed to feed and water the animals as well as to pro- vide aplace to work with them if needed. Grazing cattle require poloxalene, and the catch pen is a good place to provide it. The ~l~xal~ne is used to help prevent bloat, which can be a common problem with cattle eating lush aUalfa. The mate- rial can be fed either as lick tanks, blocks or mixed with grain. Corah favors mix- . ing the poloxalene with grain, feeling that it provides a more uniform and consistent intake than the other two methods. -Kansas Farmer Speeding Up One of the greatest problems and concerns facing alfalfa producers is fitting hay- Hay Malting making operations between rains. This also may be one of the chief deterrents in alfalfa usage. Because of the increased potentials for alfalfa if weather problems can be minimized, the Certified Alfalfa Seed Council is in the process of develop- ing anew publication, which tentatively has been titled, "ItIAKING ALFALFA HAY - In Less Time, With Fewer Risks." IL is felt that there will he a strong demand fur this publication. Among sub- ject matter included will be the use of dr}~ng agents or chemical conclilioners, practical management suggestions, guidelines for harvesting for higher quality, the use of hay preservatives and mow or ham di}ing. This publication is expected to be available by fall of this year.