can alfalfa hay cause bloat in cattle

It is discouraging to discover that a newly purchased lot of alfalfa hay causes bloat, especially if it is the only forage available. Feedlot bloat or dry bloat is caused by excessive consumption of grain, hay cubes or hay. To protect your livestock from bloat, fill them with hay before turning them onto alfalfa. In our experience, cattle that have not grazed alfalfa will invariably consume most of the other forages (ex, grasses, dandelions) that are present in pasture. Feedlot bloat or dry bloat is caused by excessive consumption of grain, hay cubes or hay. But they don’t need straight alfalfa because they don’t need that much protein, and rich alfalfa with no grass or other forage to dilute it can cause digestive problems, diarrhea and bloat. Pasture (frothy) bloat can occur in animals grazing wheat pasture or lush legumes (alfalfa, ladino, white clover) or being fed green-chopped legumes. Also, maintain access to dry hay or corn stalks while grazing alfalfa to help reduce bloat. The key is in storing the hay until the enzyme action is done with the curing process. Although this type of hay for cattle is highly beneficial, it often causes bloat in animals hence should be used with caution. In the first case, the producer backgrounded a couple of hundred five-cwt steers to 900 lbs. Cattle address their fiber needs by eating a little hay. Note that as alfalfa hay matures, protein levels tend to decline while its fibre content increases making it less palatable to cattle. It is likely that the risk of bloat in frozen alfalfa decreases with time as proteins complex with carbohydrate in a manner similar to that achieved with wilting or drying. Alfasure or Dioctol can also be used to relieve bloat in animals. It is likely that the risk of bloat in frozen alfalfa decreases with time as proteins complex with carbohydrate in a manner similar to that achieved with wilting or drying. It is likely that the risk of bloat in frozen alfalfa decreases with time as proteins complex with carbohydrate in a manner similar to that achieved with wilting or drying. 2. Preventing bloat is desirable not only to reduce deaths but also to reduce the negative effect of bloat on cattle per-formance. Providing cattle with a mixture of good quality alfalfa-grass hay can provide the rumen fill that is necessary to prevent overconsumption of fresh alfalfa when cattle are first introduced to the pasture. However, as these forages become depleted, the risk of bloat increases and such a scenario is often responsible for bloat outbreaks two to three days after animals have been moved to a new pasture. Known as an ionophore, it is commonly fed to cattle to improve feed efficiency and rate of gain. Winter wheat can also cause bloat when it is lush in the spring. Alfalfa hay Alfalfa hay combined with cereal grain is probably the most common mixture of dry feed causing bloat in western Canada. The factors. However, I know of two extreme cases of grain bloat where cattle in Saskatchewan were fed high-grain diets in self-feeders and a few bloated animals died. Grazing alfalfa can be toxic to cattle, sheep and other ruminant animals, as live alfalfa plants with moisture on the leaves will cause bloat (a build-up of gas) in all ruminant animals. The rapid microbial colonization and digestion of alfalfa reduces particle size and increases the passage of digesta from the rumen, enabling the animal to consume greater quantities of forage. Dry matter intake, as a percent of body weight, can vary from 1.5 percent on straw to 2.75 percent on quality alfalfa hay. Additionally, if your cow eats lawn trimmings, this can result in gas bloat because the shortcut fibers become packed inside the rumen and do not process properly. This is especially true … To protect your livestock from bloat, fill them with hay before turning them onto alfalfa. Provide grass hay or grain for the first week or two of grazing alfalfa. As a means to control the risk of bloat, some farmers practise co-cropping bloat safe legumes and wilt alfalfa prior to consumption. Changing to a legume hay suddenly can make an animal sick, or cause a ruminant animal to bloat. This will reduce the bloat problem in all animals that will eat. (Also note that rams-especially ram lambs-can be at risk when eating too much alfalfa; a diet too high in protein can cause “pizzle rot,” and too much calcium can produce kidney stones). Although cows can eat alfalfa, it may cause bloat which is often detrimental to health, productivity as well profitability. Employ haying of your paddocks ahead if need be, in case things get too rank. Cattle generally have three to four grazing bouts per day on alfalfa pastures. Under these conditions, ... information regarding feedlot bloat has included finely ground milo and loose alfalfa hay fed in separate bunks, or finely chopped alfalfa hay … This publication provides information on the causes, control, and treatment of bloat in cattle and is intended for livestock producers, veterinarians, and agrologists. The Animal Several factors, both animal and plant, influence the formation of a stable foam. This can be an expensive supplement, but it works well when animals eat a uniform amount each day. In primary ruminal tympany, or frothy bloat, the cause is entrapment of the normal gases of fermentation in a stable foam. Management of cattle on alfalfa pasture is a dynamic art and must be done with an appreciation of the factors that can cause fluctuation in the intake of alfalfa. Major bouts tend to occur shortly after sunrise and early in the evening. Select against it. Do not graze each paddock right to nothing before moving. Observe what they are eating and see if they are mixing their alfalfa with grass. However, the utilization of alfalfa by grazing beef cattle has been limited due to its propensity to cause pasture bloat. Never move cattle in the morning. However, as many a dairy farmer can attest to, cattle can still bloat on alfalfa hay, and long term frozen alfalfa should be considered bloat reduced, not bloat safe. Other strategies of bloat prevention such as wilting of alfalfa also lower soluble protein levels in the alfalfa and reduce bloat risk. Finally, bloat protectants like Poloxalene can be fed as blocks or mixed with grain. Only graze when fields are dry and firm. The Animal Although uncommon, bloat can still occur in cattle grazing alfalfa in the bloom stage especially if they are hungry when turned into the pasture. Outbreaks of bloat are often associated with particular batches of hay. Rumen microbes cause feedlot frothy bloat. Bloat is a serious problem in livestock, especially cattle, and preventative measures must be used when animals are placed in bloat-inducing situations, such as grazing alfalfa. Alfalfa is growing rapidly and high risk. Continuous grazing can present more danger as after two to three weeks of grazing within a pasture alfalfa starts to regrow. However, as many a dairy farmer can attest to, cattle can still bloat on alfalfa hay, and long term frozen alfalfa should be considered bloat reduced, not bloat safe. Bloat usually occurs an hour to one and a half hours after a major grazing bout. This can take up to 90 days with some alfalfa. Anti-bloat capsules which stay in … However, the utilization of alfalfa by grazing beef cattle has been limited due to its propensity to cause pasture bloat. Alfalfa varieties that have a slower digestion rate are being developed to lower the bloating risk in cattle, however early research into these varieties has shown mixed results in their ability to reduce rates of bloating iii. Alfalfa is recognized as one of the most nutritious forages available and is widely used as conserved forage (ex, hay, silage) in the diets of beef and dairy cattle. Feedlot (dry) bloat usually refers to bloat in cattle fed high-grain rations that may or may not contain legume forage. As a rule, two weeks after a strong killing frost alfalfa is safe to graze. Winter wheat can also cause bloat when it is lush in the spring. Moving during rain is not as dangerous as about two days after a rain when it is hot. Ruminants are unique in their ability to readily digest the cell wall components of forages and it is this ability that gives them a competitive advantage ove… Bloat can occur on any lush forage that is low in fiber and highly digestible, but is most common on immature legume (clover and alfalfa) pastures. Here are 5 Tips to prevent pasture bloat: 1. Changing to a legume hay suddenly can make an animal sick, or cause a ruminant animal to bloat. Feedlot (dry) bloat usually refers to bloat in cattle fed high-grain rations that may or may not contain legume forage. Watch cattle carefully. Depending on the diet, a large amount of foam or froth develops in the rumen and inhibits the release of gas, which causes the animal to bloat. As myths go, the idea that alfalfa contributes to bloat in horses is inflated. The pasture should not be grazed for at least ten days. As with production of cattle in a feedlot, producers will only be comfortable with grazing alfalfa if they are prepared to adopt the concept of an acceptable level of death loss. Pasture bloat is usually associated with cattle grazing white (ladino) clover or alfalfa, although other plants such as small grains and ryegrass also can cause bloat. A.  Alfalfa reacts two ways to a hard freeze. So waiting to graze alfalfa until well after a hard freeze is a good, safe management practice. Nitrate levels can increase, but rarely to hazardous levels. Forcing bloated animals to walk is also helpful. 3. Bloat can cause death in as little as 1 hour so it is important to be prepared to render emergency treatment. Although cows can eat alfalfa, it may cause bloat which is often detrimental to health, productivity as well profitability. Pasture bloat is primarily a disease of cattle that graze pastures where legumes make up greater than 50% of the total forage. Pasture (frothy) bloat can occur in animals grazing wheat pasture or lush legumes (alfalfa, ladino, white clover) or being fed green-chopped legumes. Increase availability of hay. However, there is often a lag of 24 to 48 hours before bloating occurs in cattle Preventing bloat is desirable not only to reduce deaths but also to reduce the negative effect of bloat on cattle per-formance. using a series of old wooden self-feeders. In cattle, micro-organisms in their rumen, or paunch, produce gas as they digest forages. However, as many a dairy farmer can attest to, cattle can still bloat on alfalfa hay, and long term frozen alfalfa should be considered bloat reduced, not bloat safe. Agronomic strategies such as the co-cropping of bloat safe legumes (ex, sainfoin, birdsfoot trefoil) with alfalfa and wilting of the alfalfa prior to consumption are being explored for their ability to provide additional bloat protection. Whereas this rapid digestion and particle size reduction is responsible for the high productivity of cattle on alfalfa pasture, it also is in part responsible for bloat. 2. Alfalfa, red clover, and white clover are the most notorious legumes for bloat. Grazing management 2.2.2.1. Bloat can be controlled even in vegetative alfalfa if it is swathed and allowed to wilt prior to consumption (Majak et al., 2001). Feedlot (dry) bloat usu- I've never heard of acidosis from alfalfa hay, but it can cause bloat, which can also kill deer. Once introduced, every effort should be made to maintain the herd on alfalfa pasture. It is likely that the risk of bloat in frozen alfalfa decreases with time as proteins complex with carbohydrate in a manner similar to that achieved with wilting or drying. Perhaps by better understanding bloat, how to prevent it and treat it (should the need arise), livestock producers can overcome a fear of bloat. Ruminants are unique in their ability to readily digest the cell wall components of forages and it is this ability that gives them a competitive advantage over other meat producing animals. Pasture (frothy) bloat can occur in animals grazing wheat pasture or lush legumes (alfalfa, ladino, white clover) or being fed green-chopped legumes. UNL web framework and quality assurance provided by the, Apply to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Give to the University of Nebraska–Lincoln, Institute of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Explore Beef (The People. Older cattle eat more per unit body weight than younger cattle. Although this type of hay for cattle is highly beneficial, it often causes bloat in animals hence should be used with caution. Cattle address their fiber needs by eating a little hay. Pasture bloat usually occurs in animals grazing wheat pasture, lush legumes (alfalfa, Ladino, red clover) or fed green-chopped legumes. Understand that even if you waste 50% of alfalfa it is still better than grass as it outproduces grass by that much and fixes nitrogen. Older cattle eat more per unit body weight than younger cattle. The best way to avoid bloat is to reduce the factors that can cause it. “Anything that upsets photosynthesis in the actively growing plant (such as frost) can cause bloat. Bloat can occur after as little as 15 minutes to 1 hour after they are turned out to a bloat- producing pasture. Other legumes, including Add legumes that don't cause bloat or are less likely to cause bloat to pastures. In cattle, micro-organisms in their rumen, or paunch, produce gas as they digest forages. Provide hay before pasture turnout. This often occurs with high-protein forages such as alfalfa or certain clovers, but can also be problem when lush cereal forages or brassicas are grazed. Bloat prevention technologies can be coupled with management to allow one to have a sounder night's sleep. Legumes with the highest likelihood to cause bloat include white clover, alfalfa, annual medics and Persian clover. Perhaps by better understanding bloat, how to prevent it and treat it (should the need arise), livestock producers can overcome a fear of bloat. Some individual animals have a propensity to bloat, perhaps because of their physical characteristics. Bloat always must be a concern, but alfalfa that has been frosted and started to dry down has fewer tendencies to cause bloat than summer alfalfa. Ruminant livestock grazing lush pastures of alfalfa, clovers and small grains are prone to a condition called “frothy bloat.” Rapid digestion of forage containing highly-soluble proteins results in a stable foam which prevents rumen gases from being expelled by normal eructation (belching). While a very nutritious forage, with high energy and protein values, grazing of fresh alfalfa comes with its risks. 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