There is a potential for bloat, especially when the alfalfa is still green. There is less potential for bloat after the alfalfa has gone through a hard freeze. Usually when cows are allowed to graze alfalfa, that's all they graze, and once you have adapted them to the alfalfa, bloat is less frequent. In your situation, where cattle have access to both green alfalfa and cornstalks, there is more chance for bloat. We would suggest that the alfalfa be fenced off for now, and then after a hard freeze, allow the cows access. One of the other concerns is that if we get moisture and then some freezing and thawing, you could get some damage to the alfalfa, and the field could become rough. If you wait to graze the alfalfa later in the winter, the ground will more likely to be frozen and will stay frozen, and less damage will likely occur.

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