Fueling Your Herd: Breaking Down Alfalfa vs. Silage
As winter comes to an end, finally, it’s time to start planning forage production for the next livestock feeding season. Whether your operation relies primarily on hay or silage, decisions about what to seed should be made early—before spring conditions limit your options.
Choosing the Right Species and Variety
The first step in producing quality livestock feed is selecting the right species and variety. Both silage crops (such as corn, barley, or alfalfa) and hay crops (including grasses, alfalfa, and annual greenfeed mixes) offer a wide range of options. Each comes with strengths depending on:
Field conditions (drainage, soil type, salinity/alkalinity)
Moisture availability
Intended use (stored feed, grazing, or dual-purpose)
Type of livestock being fed (dairy, beef, horses, etc.)
It is important to have an idea of the land and feed preferences to make a more accurate decision of species. For example, fields with frequent standing water benefit from flood-tolerant species like ryegrass or meadow fescue, while drought-prone areas require more resilient varieties such as meadow bromegrass. If post-harvest grazing is part of your plan, regrowth potential should also factor into your choice.
Livestock nutritional needs also play a major role. Dairy cattle and finishing beef animals require higher energy diets, while other classes of livestock may prioritize fiber or protein differently. Matching your forage plan to these needs improves both performance and feed efficiency.
Silage
Silage is a fermented, high-moisture forage typically made from crops like corn, cereals, or alfalfa. It is valued primarily as a high-energy feed due to its starch content—especially in corn silage.
Silage is particularly well suited for:
Dairy cattle
Finishing beef cattle
While silage is generally cost-effective per acre and provides excellent energy, it is often lower in protein (especially cereal and corn silage) and may require supplementation to meet full nutritional requirements.
Alfalfa
Alfalfa is a legume known for its high protein content and digestible fiber. Its fiber ferments relatively quickly in the rumen, supporting microbial activity and overall rumen health.
It is especially beneficial for:
Lactating animals
Growing or young cattle
Alfalfa can significantly improve protein intake and feed utilization. However, it typically contains less energy than corn silage and can be more sensitive to weather conditions during harvest, which may affect quality.
Using Silage and Alfalfa Together
Rather than choosing one over the other, silage and alfalfa are most effective when used together. Their nutritional profiles complement each other well:
Silage provides energy
Alfalfa supplies protein and supports rumen function
For example, after calving, cattle have increased protein requirements—alfalfa can help meet this need. Conversely, when alfalfa quality or yield is reduced due to weather, silage can help maintain overall feed supply and energy levels.
The Importance of Feed Testing
The most critical step in developing an effective feeding program is feed testing. Without it, nutrient content is unknown, making it difficult to balance rations accurately.
Feed testing allows you to:
Avoid underfeeding or overfeeding nutrients
Optimize the balance between energy and protein
Make better use of available feed resources
Working with a nutritionist or feed consultant can help interpret test results and fine-tune rations for your specific livestock and production goals.
~Annabelle Desrochers