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Feeding lucerne silage
Feeding lucerne silage
In this section of the growing and feeding lucerne series, we look at the performance of lambs, dairy cows and ewes when fed lucerne silage.
Lucerne is more digestible then other similar feedstuffs. It has a high DM yield, protein and calcium content.
The actual digestibility of the forage will depend on factors such as:
- Growth stage
- Cutting frequency
- Harvesting conditions
- Fermentation processes
Lucerne silage is a good replacement for soya bean meal in diets due to its high protein content (18–25%). It is also a good complement to maize silage because it is high in the nutrients that are low in maize. For ruminants, the lower readily available starch content and higher buffering capacity of lucerne compared with maize silage also has a beneficial effect on rumen pH.
You can also use lucerne as a replacement for grass silage in the diet of the dairy cow. Trials at SRUC and Harper Adams University have shown mixed results, click here for more information. Further research has looked at the effect of lucerne inclusion level and chop length on performance of dairy cows, suggesting short chop lengths are preferable where high levels of lucerne are included in the diet.
Credit: E Blenkhorn & Son.
Silage analysis
Unlike grass silage there is currently no near-infrared spectroscopy (NIRS) analysis available for lucerne silage. Test for feed value via wet chemistry analysis, which is available at most commercial laboratories. This is more expensive than typical grass silage analysis, but costs vary depending on the values requested.
Lucerne silage is higher in calcium than most other forages, so take caution when feeding it to dry cows. In addition, the crop is also low in phosphate, so supplementation may be required.
Typical feed values for lucerne silage.
Research - feeding lucerne silage to dairy cows
Find out how lucerne silage increased dry matter intakes by 2.2 kg/day and milk yields by 1.7 kg/day compared with grass silage.
A review of several research trials that compared the performance of dairy cows fed either lucerne or grass silage, has shown that lucerne silage can increase DM intake (+2.2 kg/day) and milk yield (+1.7 kg/day) compared with grass silage. In these trials, forage type had no significant effect on milk fat or milk protein content.
Results from experiments comparing grass silage and lucerne silage
|
|
Grass |
Lucerne |
|
Dry matter intake (kg/day) |
20.2 |
22.4 |
|
Milk yield (kg/day) |
29.5 |
31.2 |
|
Milk fat (g/kg) |
38.1 |
37.9 |
|
Milk protein (g/kg) |
31.6 |
31.8 |
Source: Steinshamn, 2010
In contrast, when compared with red clover despite there being higher DM intakes with lucerne (+0.8 kg/day), there was no significant increase in milk yield (average yield 30.4 vs. 30.6 kg/day). Compared with red clover, however, lucerne increased milk protein content by an average of 0.8 g/kg.
Results from experiments comparing red clover silage and lucerne silage
|
|
Red clover |
Lucerne |
|
Dry matter intake (kg/day) |
21.8 |
22.6 |
|
Milk yield (kg/day) |
30.4 |
30.6 |
|
Milk fat (g/kg) |
38.5 |
39.4 |
|
Milk protein (g/kg) |
31.6 |
32.4 |
Source: Steinshamn, 2010
Research - feeding lucerne silage to lambs
Discover how the variability in lucerne silage quality can affect lamb performance.
Work conducted at Aberystwyth University on feeding conserved red clover, lucerne and perennial ryegrass to weaned lambs has shown differing results. Results from one study, which fed Suffolk-cross lambs from eight months of age for two months, showed that lucerne had similar levels of performance to red clover and was superior to grass-only silage.
Results from Suffolk-cross lamb feeding trial at Aberystwyth University
|
|
Red clover |
Lucerne |
Perennial ryegrass |
|
Intake (kg DM/day) |
1.01 |
1.05 |
0.65 |
|
Intake (MJ of ME/day) |
10.7 |
10.9 |
6.5 |
|
Liveweight gain (g/day) |
135 |
135 |
36 |
Source: Marley et al., 2006
Results from another study, which fed Beulah lambs silage plus sugar beet pellets from seven months of age for seven weeks, showed performance to be highest off the red clover silage.
Results from Beulah lamb feeding trial at Aberystwyth University
|
|
Red clover |
Lucerne |
Perennial ryegrass |
|
Silage intake (kg DM/day) |
0.80 |
0.66 |
0.58 |
|
Intake (MJ of ME/day) |
10.6 |
9.0 |
8.2 |
|
Liveweight gain (g/day) |
114 |
45 |
74 |
Source: Speijers et al., 2005
These studies highlight the strength of red clover and the variability of performance of lucerne, which is directly related to the quality of the ensiled crop. In this example, it is likely to be related to the DM and protein level.
The analysis of the lucerne silage from the two lamb feeding trials at Aberystwyth University
|
|
Trial A |
Trial B |
|
Dry matter (%) |
50.8 |
35.6 |
|
Ash (%) |
87 |
75.5 |
|
pH |
4.6 |
4.5 |
|
Crude protein (%) |
22.2 |
17.9 |
|
Metabolisable energy (MJ) |
10.4 |
10.0 |
Case study: Lesley Stubbings, sheep consultant
Find out how one of Lesley Stubbing's clients uses lucerne in the diet of pregnant ewes
One of my clients grows lucerne as part of an arable rotation and we have incorporated baled lucerne into the ewes late pregnancy diets for the last five years.
Lucerne is a useful crop in terms of dry matter production, but can be variable in quality, both between and within years. It is therefore essential to have the silage analysed to know the nutrient content and use it effectively.
Providing a good source of rumen degradable protein, lucerne complements grass silage well for pregnant ewes diets before lambing. For the last couple of weeks of pregnancy, soya will be fed because it is a better source of rumen undegradable (bypass) protein. Although he has experienced some challenges in growing it and making sure that not too much leaf is left in the field, feeding lucerne will reduce the bought-in protein requirements over the entire pregnancy.
It is crucial that it is fed with other feeds to ensure an appropriate balance of energy and protein. Ensure winter ration requirements are known ahead of sowing, so the area of lucerne and complementary forages needed can be calculated.
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