When to feed lucerne silage

[Hesstondriver]

i know the 'how soon can i feed grass silage' question has been done many times, but i cant find anything on lucerne silage. i cant imagine it is any different but thought id ask first ?

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Once they get on to it they won't want to eat grass silage after , go mad for it , sorry that don't answer your question though

 

[bovrill]

Once they get on to it they won't want to eat grass silage after , go mad for it , sorry that don't answer your question though

You'd be surprised. All my silage is lucerne, and the cows go wild for a bit of grass when it's offered! It's the novelty of something different.

Answering the original question, I'll feed mine from straight away if I need to, and never had any problems taking out the clamp at any time. It's chopped quite dry and stalky though, if that makes any difference.

 

[Dog Bowl]

I have some lucerne silage baled and I started feeding it about a week after it was made. No problems. Get on and feed it!

 

[Global ovine]

If you have alternative supplements I would feed the lucerne silage when it is of maximum benefit. That is during the last trimester of pregnancy, irrespective of the species being fed. This is because it should, if well made, have very high protein % for when protein is most required.
Also, if you have plenty of bulk feed, eg. lower quality grass silage or hay or straw, some added lucerne to their diet will balance protein requirements over the 1st and 2nd trimesters.