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ARS Home » Midwest Area » St. Paul, Minnesota » Plant Science Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #82084
Title: EFFECTS OF SUBSTITUTING ALFALFA LEAF MEAL FOR ALFALFA HAY IN DIETS OF EARLYLACTATION COWS

Author
item AKAYEZU, J - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item JORGENSEN, M - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item LINN, J - UNIVERSITY OF MINNESOTA
item Jung, Hans Joachim

Submitted to: American Dairy Science Association Proceedings
Publication Type: Abstract Only
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/23/1997
Publication Date: N/A
Citation: N/A

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: The use of alfalfa stems as a renewable biomass resource for the generation of electricity is being studied in MN. A byproduct from the separation of alfalfa stems from leaves is alfalfa leaf meal (ALM). This study was conducted to evaluate the substitution of ALM for similar high quality alfalfa hay in diets of early lactation Holstein cows. The ALM used in this study contained about 23% CP, 45% NDF, and 26% ADF. Eighteen multiparous cows averaging 36 DIM and 35 kg of milk/d were used in a replicated 3 x 3 Latin square design. Dietary DM consisted of 26% alfalfa, 26% corn silage, and 48% concentrate. The pelleted ALM replaced chopped alfalfa hay in diets at 0, 8, or 16% of the dietary DM. All diets were fed twice daily as TMR to ad libitum intake. Experimental periods 1 and 2 were 14 d dietary adaptations followed by 7 d of data collection. Period 3 was 11 d for adjustment and 5 d for data collection. Dietary DM intake was significantly less for cows fed the 16% compared to 8% ALM diet. Milk yield, milk composition, and yield of milk components were not affected by ALM treatment. Alfalfa leaf meal of the quality used in this study may be substituted for good quality hay in diets for early lactation dairy cows without adverse effects on production performance.