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Caution When Fall Grazing Alfalfa
Many livestock producers graze alfalfa aftermath in the fall months and should be cautioned of bloat, especially following a killing frost. As the plant cells freeze, the cell wall is ruptured, causing severe damage to the plant, literally killing the aboveground live material. This damage enhances the production of soluble leaf proteins that, in theory, are the principal foam-causing agents in legumes. Bloat is characterized as a condition that results in the formation of a frothy stable foam in the rumen, a retention of gas, and an inhibition of the eructation mechanism. The recommendation for grazing frost killed alfalfa is to wait 5 to 7 days after the killing frost (less than 28 degrees Fahrenheit) before grazing. This will allow the live tissue to fully break down, minimizing the soluble leaf proteins, and making a much safer feed base for ruminant livestock.
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