Studies on the Utilization and Digestion of Long, Ground and Pelleted Alfalfa and Mixed Hay

The utilization and digestion of alfalfa and mixed hay fed in different physical forms with and without heavy feeds of corn were studied with lambs and steers. Lambs fed a 50:50 mixture of cracked corn: pelleted hay gained slightly (but not significantly) faster than lambs fed similar mixtures using ground or long hay. When hay constituted the entire ration, steers gained significantly faster when fed pelleted and ground hay as compared to long hay. When the same animals were given a full feed of ground ear corn in addition to their respective hays fed free choice, those fed long hay gained as rapidly as those fed pelleted hay and faster than those fed ground hay. Steers fed pelleted hay for 98 days and then fed ground ear corn plus pelleted hay for 112 days finished 60 lbs. heavier than steers similarly fed with long hay or ground hay. The digestibility of 50:50 hay: corn rations was not significantly affected by the form in which the hay was fed. When hay was fed alone, digestibilities of dry matter, organic matter, cellulose, crude fiber and energy (calories) were significantly higher in long and chopped hay as compared to ground or pelleted hay. Consumption of the ground or pelleted forms was greater. Chopped hay had a significantly greater retention time in the digestive tract than pelleted hay. Pelleted hay had the same in vitro cellulose digestibility as chopped hay while ground hay was slightly less digestible.