![]() The shift in the leaf to stem ratio of alfalfa as it matures is well documented. However, stems can become 30-40% less digestible. With increasing plant maturity alfalfa leaves remain relatively unchanged as far as digestibility is concerned.Neutral Detergent Fiber(NDF) of leaves is more digestible than stem NDF.The leaf fraction of alfalfa accounts for up to 70% of the Relative Feed Quality (RFQ) of a forage sample.Leaves contribute the majority of feeding value in an alfalfa forage sample.Leaves have 2-3 times the protein content of stems.If we take a closer look at the chemical analysis of the plant top growth it soon becomes apparent that most of the feeding advantage of alfalfa is found in the leaves and to a lesser extent in the stems. Thus, the adage more leaves = better quality, more stems = less quality. The alfalfa leaf-to-stem ratio fed to the livestock greatly affects its forage quality. The second is the increasing lignification of stem tissue during plant maturation. First is a variation in the alfalfa leaf-to-stem ratio. Any reduction in forage quality, separate from harvest losses, is attributed to two factors that are related to plant maturity at harvest. The nutrient content and digestibility of alfalfas two components, leaves and stems, figures greatly in its feeding value at harvest. The whole top growth of alfalfa is fed to the livestock. In an effort to maintain a consistent level of forage quality there has been a concerted effort to understand what plant components influence these variations in forage quality. This large jump in production has been aided by the utilization of higher digestible feeds and high-intake forages such as alfalfa.ĭespite its reputation for high forage quality, alfalfa can vary from high to low quality for a variety of reasons. These genetic improvements and other factors has increased milk production per cow in the U.S. Plant Breeders are continually striving to improve the forages we feed our livestock. Improving Alfalfa’s Leaf-to-Stem Ratio and Its Impact on Forage Quality and Fiber Digestibility
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