I would like to make some general comments about hay types. Hay is typically the most utilized source of supplemental energy in cow operations. A well thought out hay program should utilize the strengths of the hay supply in order to match hay resources with cow requirements, as those requirements change with weather and stage of production. The following generalizations will categorize hays according to their most logical use during the winter. Alfalfa hay commonly ranges from about 16 to 22 percent crude protein and some clover hays can easily run from 14 to 18 percent.
Research shows that protein from high protein hays is just as good as protein from oil meals.
However, with relatively low oil meal prices this year, these hays are not currently as attractive as grain-based protein sources. Alfalfa is often too expensive for the total hay source in commercial beef cattle operations. A critical point here is that wastage during feeding of hay must be avoided. To avoid waste, many cattlemen feed alfalfa and clover hays on alternate day schedules and feed double the daily amount on those days. Alternate day feeding has a double benefit of reducing feed losses and encouraging the cows to spend time foraging rather than waiting for the hay truck.