Based on above data, the effectiveness of the Alfasure was demonstrated. Animal performance was lower than expected due to both quality of cattle used and extremely dry conditions in the summer of 2003.Grazing Alfalfa with a Bloat Preventative
Candice Manshreck
Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
Alfalfa has long been known to be superior in yield and quality for grazing. While the science and management to graze has evolved over many years, the fear of massive bloat mortality losses continues to be a major inhibitor to more intensive use of alfalfa. Pasture containing as little as 30% alfalfa will improve grazing animal performance by 15 to 20% compared to grass alone pasture. Increasing the percentage of alfalfa beyond this level will not necessarily increase animal performance, but it will increase yield and further improve soil structure (N fixation, organic matter content, litter).
New Zealand and Australia have been frontrunners in the development of liquid bloat prevention products such as Ancare 4511. Another preventative is Bloat guard – a dry product commonly mixed with salt and mineral. In the summer of 2003, Alfasure, a liquid bloat preventative was introduced in Canada. Several sites were chosen throughout Southwest Manitoba to test the effectiveness of Alfasure under differing grazing conditions. Administration of the liquid product appeared most convenient using a medicator system.
Table 1. Performance and bloat incidence of yearling steers grazing alfalfa
Location Alfalfa % # steers Daily gain Stocking rate Bloat
(lbs/day) (steers/acre) Incedence
Brandon
(Site 1) 85 14 1.71 0.74 0
Brandon
(Site 2) 85 18 1.78 0.82 0
Lyleton 25 159 1.50 0.50 0
Killarney 15-85 150 1.06 0.97 1
Based on above data, the effectiveness of the Alfasure was demonstrated. Animal performance was lower than expected due to both quality of cattle used and extremely dry conditions in the summer of 2003.