Legume: protein-rich crops such as alfalfa
A legume is a plant in the Fabaceae family, including alfalfa, clover, vetch, peas and beans. Bacteria in nodules on their roots turn nitrogen from the air into a form the plants can use. Legumes usually contain more crude protein than grasses, making their forage and grain useful protein sources in livestock rations.
How can legume hay cut feed costs?
For example, vetch hay usually supplies more crude protein per kilogram than grass hay cut at the same stage. Including it in the ration can reduce how much protein supplement you need to buy.
How can HerdMobile help?
HerdMobile helps you compare the protein and fibre in legume hays and grains, so you can see what your forage supplies before buying a protein supplement.
Questions from the farm
Are all legumes good livestock feed?
Most forage legumes are useful feeds, but their value depends on the species, growth stage and harvest conditions. Use your feed analysis results when planning the ration.
How do legumes fix nitrogen?
Bacteria in legume root nodules take nitrogen from the air and turn it into a form the plant can use. The plant uses that nitrogen to build protein, helping explain its higher protein content.
How HerdMobile helps
Bring your animals, feed stocks and farm accounts together on your Android phone. HerdMobile keeps your daily work moving offline: record events, compare feed quantities and follow sales and payments in one place. Use your own feeds and herd information to prepare a ration, then keep a backup file under your control.
Use HerdMobile to check the protein and fibre in legume hays and grains before deciding how much extra protein your ration needs.
