Lamb and Steer Production from Continuously Grazed Alfalfa

Little is known about livestock production from alfalfa (Medicago saliva L,) under continuous grazing. Objectives were to determine lamb and steer performance, production and leaf-stem selection on continuously grazed alfalfa. Lambs and steers separately grazed 3 replicate pastures from late April through mid-August, 1991. Initial stocking densities were relatively heavy to utilise rapid spring growth after which livestock numbers were reduced to maintain alfalfa with a 20-cm stubble height. Season-long live-weight gains for the lambs and steers were 0.15 and 0.94 kg/day. Total production for lambs and steers was 557 and 529 kg/ha, Lamb diets generally contained a higher percentage of leaves compared to steer diets (P<0.05). Available forage under lamb grazing had fewer leaves than under steer grazing which hindered its regrowth production. Observations in the fall of 1991 showed that alfalfa stands appeared to be in excellent condition after this first full season of continuous grazing.