Effect of grazing mixtures of alfalfa and orchardgrass grown in strips on the incidence of bloat in cattle

Abstract

Steers were grazed on pastures with alfalfa and orchardgrass grown in monoculture strips with alfalfa covering 100, 75 or 50% of the ground area. The forages were maintained at an early stage of growth during the trial. The incidence of frothy bloat in cattle was reduced by 70 to 90% when grass was a component of the pasture. Given unconstrained free choice, the legume was preferred over the grass by steers. Key words: Steers, frothy bloat, Medicago sativa L., Dactylis glomerata L., mixed pastures, grazing