Lintzenich, B.A.Cochran, R.C.Vanzant, E.S.Beaty, J.L.Brandt, Robert T., Jr.Nagaraja, Tiruvoor G.St. Jean, G.2010-10-052010-10-052010-10-05http://hdl.handle.net/2097/6278A digestion trial was conducted to determine the effect of method of processing supplemental alfalfa on the intake and utilization of dormant, bluestem-range forage. Supplement treatments were 1) control: no supplement; 2) ground and pelleted, suncured alfalfa; 3) ground and pelleted dehydrated alfalfa; and 4) longstem alfalfa hay. Bluestem forage intake (% BW), diet digestibility, and ruminal dry matter fill 4 hours after feeding were increased (P<.10) when supplemental alfalfa was fed, compared with no supplementation. Little difference was evident among different forms of supplemental alfalfa for most of the forage utilization characteristics measured. However, a weak trend (P=.18) was observed for increased intake of bluestem forage by the steers supplemented with dehydrated alfalfa pellets compared with suncured alfalfa pellets.BeefSupplementsIntakeCrude protein flowDormant rangeAlfalfaConference paper