Forage Evaluation. I. Performance of Holstein Heifers Fed Only Early-Cut or Late-Cut Alfalfa Hay on a Free-Choice Basis

Early-cut and late-cut alfalfa hays were evaluated by various prediction formulae from the literature, using chemical analysis of the hays for dry matter, crude protein, and crude fiber. For the early-and latecut hays, respectively, the values on a dry basis were crude protein--19.5 vs. 15.5%, crude fiber--28.9 vs. 32.7%, range of total digestible nutrients (TDN) (%)--55 to 65 vs. 52 to 60, estimated net energy (Mcal/ 45.4 kg dry matter)--43 to 56 vs. 37 to 49.