Adding Alternative Forages to Cropping Strategies for Cattle Diets

As many producers think of their cropping strategy for the next growing year, alternative forage options are becoming more prevalent. Due to rising feed costs, efforts to maintain herd health and productivity, and forces to mitigate feed inventory shortages, alternative forages now play a role in many cattle diets. Alternative forages can be noted as a viable replacement option or used as an additional crop in many situations. In this article, we’ll discuss different alternative forage species, the benefits of growing them, and how they benefit cattle diets.

With our growing knowledge of the science behind ruminant nutrition and our improvements in animal husbandry skills on our dairies, more research has been conducted to show alternative forages as a good option to incorporate into our diets. First, increased incentives for cover and double cropping have led producers to investigate different varieties of forages. Research has shown that BMR varieties of sorghum have increased NDF digestibility along with increased benefits in terms of protein and sugar content relative to conventional sorghum varieties (Grant et al., 1995). This is also the case for other alternative forage varieties, as we’ll discuss next in this article.

Alternative forages can have a different meaning to each person. What is conventional for one might be alternative for another. So, what exactly is an alternative forage?

Define: Alternative Forages

An alternative forage is referred to as a crop that is not commonly used for livestock feed and production. In the world of forages, historically, corn is king, and alfalfa is queen. Yes, that means even small grain silages are considered alternative, even though they are commonly used on most dairy operations today. When we think of forage and pasture production, many other species have been shown to provide different challenges and opportunities depending on the desired outcome of the diet. Let's investigate some options.

Legumes

Clover - Red and white clover are two examples of an alternative legume that can supply high-quality forage to cattle. Clovers are an appealing forage for cattle diets when we look at their increased protein levels and high digestibility compared to grass varieties. We can see values of upwards of 30% crude protein, depending on the type of clover and its maturity. Which even tops the charts compared to some alfalfa varieties. Clovers will also add nitrogen back into a pasture through nitrogen recycling. This process happens through manure and urine production from cattle consuming the plant, as well as through the natural cycle of plants dying and composting in the field. By adding clover to the diet, producers can potentially reduce protein from other sources, such as soybean meal, depending on the quality of the forage and amount included in the diet. Reducing overall dietary crude protein can decrease the cost of the diet (Chowdhury, M.R. et al., 2023). See figure below by Chowdhury, M.R. et al., 2023 that adding clover to an alfalfa diet reduces the amount of alfalfa needed but lowers the overall crude protein of the diet and has no effect on milk production. It also shows that N use efficiency increased by 19%. But take caution when grazing clovers. If the plant is immature or grazed too heavily, it may cause bloat. Mixing clovers with grass species can help reduce these incidences. The use of ionophores, such as monensin, in supplementation before heavy grazing can also help mitigate the risk of bloat.

Birdsfoot Trefoil - A perennial that does particularly well in poorly drained soils. Its most common use is integration into grazing systems, but varieties suitable for hay production are now becoming available. It has the ability to re-seed itself and is resistant to many diseases and insects that can affect alfalfa. Although it has been shown to yield less than alfalfa due to increased leaf loss. Quality overall can be better than an alfalfa crop due to Birdsfoot Trefoil's increased digestibility, less loss of quality with maturity, its increased palatability, and, unlike alfalfa, it does not cause bloat in cattle. We see crude protein values ranging from 17%-22% with an average NDF of 60-70%, making it easily digestible for cattle. One of the key features of feeding it in cattle diets is its natural production of tannins, which act as a natural bypass protein. But high tannin production can also compromise the intestinal digestibility of nutrients. Proceed with caution when thinking about adding this crop to your rotation. Poor seedling establishment has been a common issue among this variety and needs an attentive manager at harvest. It is a good practice to mix grass with the trefoil to prevent lodging and as a way to increase yields. It has been found, though, that with proper management, this crop will persist and provide for many years. Below, you will see a chart comparison of TDN content of alfalfa versus Birdsfoot Trefoil.

Source: Pennsylvania State Univ. Agric. Exp. Stn. Bull. 753, Table 3.

Field Peas - A cool-season legume known for its high digestibility and dense protein and energy value. Testing on average at 22- 26% CP, field peas can be an excellent source of protein. While also being nitrogen recyclers, forage pea stems break down quickly and become a quick, available source of nitrogen for the soil. Although they are an excellent source of nutrition, they can be susceptible to heat and humidity, and the crop can also be susceptible to Sclerotiniacrown rot, especially in the mid-Atlantic region (Managing Cover Crop Profitability 2007).

Grasses

Male-Sterile BMR Sorghum - A lot of recent buzz in the forage world is around this crop. Particularly known for its high digestibility, increased protein levels, and high sugar content compared to conventional BMR varieties. The forage BMR sorghum hybrid combines two desired traits: male sterility and low lignin content. According to Tom Kilcer of Advanced Ag Systems, BMR Male Sterile Sorghum is an excellent replacement for corn silage when constraints are limiting (Kilcer 2024). His data has shown it is a more cost-efficient crop that can produce nearly the same amount of milk production with the potential for better components (Kilcer 2024). With reduced costs from not having to apply fungicides and its ability to grow in hot temperatures, you get more growth than with conventional corn silage varieties and cost savings. Tom advises you to pay attention to the variety you are planting according to your geographic location (Kilcer 2024). Also, incorporating manure quickly, planting in warm soils, and planting narrow rows are the keys to success with this crop.

Sudangrass - A warm-season grass that is exceptionally heat and drought-tolerant. This crop can be used in grazing systems, hay, or silage crops. There are also varieties of sorgum/sudangrass crosses, also known as Sudex. Sudangrass/ Sudex varieties top the charts as high-yielding summer annuals that thrive in hot weather. They are also popular for their high digestibility, compared with conventional sorghum varieties, and are unrivaled for their ability to add organic matter to the soil (Managing Cover Crop Profitability, 2007). I want to caution that there can be substantial risks with this forage. The Sudan varieties have the potential risk of either nitrate or prussic acid poisoning that affects various livestock species. Water stress, excess nitrogen in the soil, particularly from heavy manure application, or if the crop has experienced a frost, all increase these risk factors. If grazing this crop, wait until it is 18-24 inches tall to mitigate the risk of prussic acid poisoning (Curtis and Duppstadt 2023).

Triticale -One of the most well-known alternative forages, triticale, is a valuable option for cattle and the soil. The cool-season, wheat-rye hybrid can offer high protein and high energy for cattle diets. It can be used as a grain, forage, and a cover crop, offering great flexibility for producers. Triticale has protein and energy values similar to barley and wheat, ranging from 9-15% crude protein. However, it maintains those feed values a little better than its counterparts due to its later maturity. Triticale is also an excellent nitrogen recycler, providing many benefits to the soil as a cover crop. Below shows the growth comparison of the small grain varieties in the field.

Research shows that forage quality and fiber digestibility are arguably the most important factors in dairy cattle diets. Increased fiber digestibility leads to greater milk production (Aydin et al., 1999) and can reduce the incidence of cattle disease. Poor digestibility in a forage can cause reduced dry matter intake and reduced microbial function in the rumen, which in turn leads to less energy production for the cow to utilize. By exploring some of the alternative forage varieties, such as those mentioned above, as double crops and cover crops, we can enhance fiber digestibility in our diet while also benefiting from cropping flexibility and soil cover over winter.

The next most common reason for producers to turn to alternative forages is due to feed shortages. This can be due to weather variability or even a loss of land base. Incorporating alternative forages into your cropping system can help extend inventories. In some situations, they may partially replace a corn silage or hay source in the diet (Harper et al., 2017), but cannot replace them 1:1. Overall, alternative forages are a strategy to help decrease the dependency on conventional forages and as an effort to reduce feed shortages.

Feeding cattle alternative forages can often lead to many benefits for your cows and soil. Potential cropping cost savings, improved nutrient profiles and utilization, and improved feed inventory all contribute to a more efficient and sustainable dairy business. With careful management, alternative forages can replace shortened feed inventories, and if diets are properly balanced, improve milk production. Improvements to soil health and fertility, with the reduction of soil erosion with cover cropping, also make it desirable to utilize these forages in the crop rotation. Whether you choose to incorporate alternative forages into your plan or stick with conventional, there are several options to consider for your own unique operation. Most importantly, when thinking about a cropping strategy, keep in mind that alternative forages are a useful tool to enhance cattle diets or help with feed shortages, but cannot replace conventional feed sources 1:1 in order to maintain high milk yield outputs.

Sources

Aydin, G., Grant, R.J., O'Rear, J. "Brown Midrib Sorghum in Diets for Lactating Dairy Cows." Journal of Dairy Science, vol. 82, no. 10, Oct. 1999, pp. 2127–2135, doi.org/10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(99)75456-1. Accessed 18 April 2025.

Chowdhury, M.R., Wilkinson, R.G., Sinclair, L.A., "Feeding Lower-Protein Diets Based on Red Clover and Grass or Alfalfa and Corn Silage Does Not Affect Milk Production but Improves Nitrogen Use Efficiency in Dairy Cows." Journal of Dairy Science, vol. 106, no. 3, Mar. 2023, pp. 1773–1789, doi.org/10.3168/jds.2022-22607.

Curtis, Zachary, and Leanna Duppstadt. "Planting Forage Sorghum, Sudangrass, and Sorghum-Sudangrass Hybrids." Penn State Extension, Penn State Extension, 30 May 2023. Accessed 23 Apr. 2025.

Grant, R.J., Haddad, S.G., Moore, K.J., Pederson, J.F., "Brown Midrib Sorghum Silage for Midlactation Dairy Cows." Journal of Dairy Science, vol. 78, no. 9, 1 Sept. 1995, pp. 1970–1980, doi.org/10.3168/jds.s0022-0302(95)76823-0. Accessed 18 April 2025.

Greenwell, H.L., Gramkow, J.L., Jolly-Breithaupt, M.L., MacDonald PAS, J.C., Jenkins PAS, K.H., "Effects of Field Pea Supplementation on Digestibility and Rumen Volatile Fatty Acid Concentrations of Beef-Cattle Diets Containing High and Low Quality Forages." The Professional Animal Scientist, vol. 34, no. 6, Dec. 2018, pp. 631–641, doi.org/10.15232/pas.2018-01730. Accessed 22 April 2025.

Hall, Ph.D., Marvin. "Birdsfoot Trefoil." Penn State Extension, Penn State Extension, 11 Feb. 2025. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

Harper, M.T., Oh, J., Giallongo, F., Roth, G.W., Hristov, A.N "Inclusion of Wheat and Triticale Silage in the Diet of Lactating Dairy Cows." Journal of Dairy Science, vol. 100, no. 8, Aug. 2017, pp. 6151–6163, doi.org/10.3168/jds.2017-12553. Accessed 23 April 2025.

Kilcer, Tom. "4 Tips for Forage Sorghum Success." FarmProgress, American Agriculturalist, 22 May 2024. Accessed 22 Apr. 2025.

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