Feeding Dairy Cow with Alfalfa Hay
This page analyzes the use of alfalfa hay as a feed source for dairy cow. At 18% crude protein and 58% TDN, alfalfa hay is meets protein but not energy as a sole feed for dairy cow at maintenance level (requires 16% CP and 70% TDN). Below you will find daily feeding rates, costs across herd sizes, and a life-stage breakdown showing how requirements change through the production cycle.
Alfalfa Hay for Dairy Cow by Life Stage
Feed requirements change significantly across life stages. The table below shows the daily as-fed quantity of alfalfa hay needed for each dairy cow life stage, along with whether the feed meets the adjusted protein and TDN requirements for that stage. Life stages with higher demands (lactation, growth) may require supplementation even if alfalfa hay is adequate at maintenance.
| Life Stage | Daily DMI | As-Fed/Day | Protein Need | Protein OK? | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Fresh Cow (0-21 days) | 41.7 lbs | 46.3 lbs | 17.6% | Yes | $173.54 |
| Mid Lactation | 53.9 lbs | 59.9 lbs | 16% | Yes | $224.58 |
| Late Lactation | 46.6 lbs | 51.7 lbs | 14.4% | Yes | $193.96 |
| Dry Period | 29.4 lbs | 32.7 lbs | 12% | Yes | $122.50 |
| Replacement Heifer | 49.0 lbs | 54.4 lbs | 18.4% | No | $204.17 |
Herd Feed Budget: Dairy Cow on Alfalfa Hay
For operations feeding alfalfa hay to multiple dairy cow animals, the table below projects total feed requirements and costs. These estimates use the maintenance-level feeding rate of 54.4 lbs as-fed per head per day at $250/ton.
| Head Count | Daily As-Fed Total | Monthly Tons | Annual Tons | Monthly Cost | Annual Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 54.4 lbs | 0.74 tons | 8.94 tons | $204.17 | $2,484.03 |
| 5 | 272.2 lbs | 3.68 tons | 44.71 tons | $1,020.83 | $12,420.14 |
| 10 | 544.4 lbs | 7.35 tons | 89.43 tons | $2,041.67 | $24,840.28 |
| 25 | 1,361.0 lbs | 18.38 tons | 223.56 tons | $5,104.17 | $62,100.69 |
| 50 | 2,722.0 lbs | 36.75 tons | 447.13 tons | $10,208.33 | $124,201.39 |
| 100 | 5,444.0 lbs | 73.50 tons | 894.25 tons | $20,416.67 | $248,402.78 |
Feeding Rates by Body Weight
The daily amount of alfalfa hay varies with the individual animal's body weight. The table below shows as-fed feeding rates and monthly costs across a range of weights for dairy cow.
| Body Weight | Daily DMI | As-Fed/Day | Monthly Feed | Monthly Cost |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 980 lbs | 34.3 lbs | 38.1 lbs | 1,029 lbs | $142.92 |
| 1,190 lbs | 41.7 lbs | 46.3 lbs | 1,250 lbs | $173.54 |
| 1,400 lbs | 49.0 lbs | 54.4 lbs | 1,470 lbs | $204.17 |
| 1,610 lbs | 56.4 lbs | 62.6 lbs | 1,691 lbs | $234.79 |
| 1,820 lbs | 63.7 lbs | 70.8 lbs | 1,911 lbs | $265.42 |
Nutritional Analysis: Alfalfa Hay for Dairy Cow
Alfalfa Hay provides 18% crude protein on a dry matter basis, while dairy cow at maintenance require a minimum of 16% crude protein. This means alfalfa hay provides 2 percentage points of protein above the minimum requirement, giving adequate margin for variation in feed quality and individual animal needs.
For energy, alfalfa hay provides 58% TDN compared to the dairy cow requirement of 70% TDN. Energy supplementation is needed. Adding corn (88% TDN), barley (84% TDN), or a fat supplement (180% TDN) to the ration would address the energy deficit. The amount of supplementation required depends on the magnitude of the shortfall and the animal's production level.
The dry matter content of alfalfa hay is 90%, meaning that for every 100 lbs of as-fed feed, the animal receives 90 lbs of actual dry matter nutrition and 10 lbs of water. At $250 per ton as-fed, the effective cost per ton of dry matter is $278. When comparing feeds, always use the dry matter cost rather than the as-fed cost to make fair comparisons between feeds with different moisture levels.
For a comprehensive feeding program, consider combining alfalfa hay with complementary feeds that address any nutritional gaps. Browse the complete feed comparison to identify the most cost-effective supplements, or use the calculator to model different feed combinations. Always provide free-choice mineral supplementation and clean water regardless of the forage and grain program.
More Feeding Combinations
Explore other feed options for dairy cow or see how alfalfa hay works for other species.
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