Winter grazing alfalfa helps reduce insect infestations and
does not hurt alfalfa yield or stand persistence. It is best to adjust stocking density to
remove all the forage in a couple of weeks. Remove cattle during rainy periods to avoid
trashing fields.
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.
