Can Cows Eat Alfalfa?

Can cows eat alfalfa? I’m glad you asked. Cows can eat various food like carrots, but can cows eat alfalfa? Let’s find out what’s good and bad about this delicious food.

Can Cows Eat Alfalfa?

Yes, cows can eat alfalfa, but before you start giving alfalfa to your cow, there are a few ‘ifs and buts’ you should consider first. Read on to find out what’s good and bad about serving alfalfa to cows.

Is Alfalfa Good for Cows?

Yes, Alfalfa is good and safe for cows to eat in moderation. However, you need to learn how to prepare it to prevent some risks.

Alfalfa is a source of many nutrients such as vitamins, minerals, fiber and carbohydrates that can serve your cows. in addition to a high protein content (around 15%) which makes it a great food for bigger cows that produce more milk.

Below, we’ve put together some of the health benefits of feeding alfalfa to your cow.

Vitamins

Cows need vitamins to maintain their body functions. Below are some vitamins that cows can get from alfalfa.

Vitamin A is vital for your cows to maintain healthy eyes and organs.
Vitamin B1 (Thiamin) Its lack cause cows to lose appetite, have occasional seizures and even death in extreme cases.
Vitamin C helps create antibodies which are vital for your cow’s immune system, and it’s also an anti-inflammatory
Vitamin K in alfalfa aids your cow’s blood’s ability to coagulate normally.

Minerals

Cows need various minerals in their food. Down below are few minerals that cows can get from alfalfa.

Magnesium in alfalfa helps the cows’ body to have healthy blood sugar levels in addition to a healthy heart.
Iron in alfalfa is required for cows’ body to produce healthy red blood cells.

Fiber

Alfalfa are around 1,9% fiber which helps keep your cow’s digestion system in good condition.

Protein

Alfalfa are also 4% protein which is crucial for cows’ growth.

Is Alfalfa Bad for Cows?

No, alfalfa is neither bad nor poisonous to cows. However, eating significant quantities can cause some serious side effects like diarrhea and digestion issues.

Do Cows Like Alfalfa?

Yes, cows do like alfalfa; they find it incredibly tasty and would happily eat it whenever they can.

Want to make sure? Watch this video

How Much Alfalfa Can Cows Eat?

There is no exact rule about how much alfalfa cows can eat. However, alfalfa or any other snack should never make up more than 10% of cows’ total intake. You should consider alfalfa as treats, not as a replacement for their main diet. If you give cows alfalfa, it should be a part of a well-balanced meal.

How to Feed Alfalfa to Cows?

Here is how you can serve alfalfa to your cows.

Mix the alfalfa with other food that your cows eat.
begin with a smaller amount of alfalfa the first time you feed it to your cows to see if they show any negative signs. This should be done with any new snack.