Winter grazing of alfalfa helps reduce insect infestations and does not hurt alfalfa
yield or stand persistence. For best results have stocking density high enough to remove
all the forage in a couple of weeks. It is also important to remove cattle during rainy
periods.
Grazing seedling stands is rarely justified. Plants need all the green top growth
possible for development of strong root systems. An exception would be to graze weedy
grasses that are shading seedling alfalfa plants.