Most cattle producers feed between 5 and 8 pounds of alfalfa pellets per cow per day, depending on whether the animal is a beef cow or a dairy cow and what else is in the ration. Alfalfa pellets are a concentrated protein and energy source, not a complete feed, so the amount you offer depends heavily on the quality of your base forage and the animal’s nutritional demands.
General Daily Amounts
For beef cows, 5 pounds of alfalfa pellets per day (or 10 pounds every other day) is enough to meet protein requirements when paired with moderate-quality grass hay. A 50/50 mix of grass hay and alfalfa in the total ration generally covers a beef cow’s protein needs without oversupplying nutrients.
For dairy cows, the numbers are slightly higher. The recommended maximum for dehydrated alfalfa pellets is about 8 pounds per cow per day. Sun-cured pellets can be fed at 6 to 8 pounds per milking cow daily. In both cases, you should also offer at least 10 pounds of hay or straw alongside the pellets to keep the rumen functioning properly. These pellets work best as a supplement to lower-quality forage, not as the sole feed source.
Why Pellets Aren’t a Hay Replacement
Alfalfa pellets are more nutrient-dense than long-stem hay. They typically run around 20% crude protein compared to 16% for loose alfalfa hay, and they deliver about 58% total digestible nutrients versus 52% for hay. That sounds like an upgrade, but there’s a trade-off: pellets contain less effective fiber.
Effective fiber is the physical structure in feed that makes a cow chew, produce saliva, and maintain a healthy rumen pH. When feed is ground and compressed into pellets, much of that structure is destroyed. Cows fed pellets without enough long-stem forage chew less, produce less saliva (which naturally buffers rumen acid), and spend more time with abnormally low rumen pH. Over time, this leads to digestive problems including acidosis. That’s why every feeding recommendation pairs alfalfa pellets with hay or straw, and why pellets alone aren’t safe as a complete ration.
Watch the Calcium-to-Phosphorus Ratio
Alfalfa pellets contain about 1.43% calcium and only 0.29% phosphorus, giving them a calcium-to-phosphorus ratio of roughly 5 to 1. That’s significantly higher than most other feedstuffs. Cattle do best with a ratio closer to 2 to 1.
If alfalfa pellets make up a large share of the diet, you’ll be feeding excess calcium. This is especially concerning for young, growing animals where imbalanced minerals can affect bone development. Keeping alfalfa to about one-third of the total hay and forage portion of the diet helps prevent calcium overload. If you’re feeding higher amounts, consider adding a phosphorus supplement or balancing with grains, which tend to be low in calcium and higher in phosphorus.
Introducing Pellets Gradually
Cattle need time to adjust to any new feed, and alfalfa pellets are no exception. The rumen’s microbial population has to shift to handle the change in protein and fiber content. A sudden switch can cause digestive upset, reduced intake, or bloat.
A safe approach is to start with a small amount, around 1 to 2 pounds per day, and increase by no more than 10% of the total ration at a time. Most step-up programs in the cattle industry run 21 to 28 days from start to the target feeding level. During the first 3 to 4 days, it’s best to feed only the animal’s existing hay ration before introducing anything new. This is particularly important if you’re also making other dietary changes at the same time, such as adding grain.
Beef Cows vs. Dairy Cows
Beef cows in mid-gestation on decent pasture or grass hay often only need a small protein boost, making 5 pounds of alfalfa pellets a practical and economical supplement. Hay that doesn’t meet dairy-grade specifications works fine for beef cattle and is usually cheaper per pound of actual nutrient. In fact, University of Nevada Extension recommends against feeding dairy-quality alfalfa to beef cattle because it oversupplies protein and increases feed costs without a production benefit.
Lactating dairy cows have much higher energy and protein demands. They can handle the full 6 to 8 pounds of pellets daily, and the extra protein in pellet form (around 20% crude protein for dehydrated pellets at 17% moisture) helps support milk production. Even so, pellets should remain a supplement. The bulk of a dairy cow’s dry matter intake still needs to come from long-stem forage or a total mixed ration to maintain rumen health and milk fat levels.
Cost and Practical Considerations
Alfalfa pellets are convenient. They store easily, resist mold better than baled hay, and produce almost no waste at the bunk. But pound for pound, they’re often more expensive than baled alfalfa hay. When comparing feeds, look at the cost per pound of actual protein or energy delivered rather than the sticker price per bag or ton. In many situations, buying lower-grade alfalfa hay that doesn’t meet dairy specifications gives beef producers the same nutritional benefit at a lower price.
Pellets also flow through feeders and storage systems more easily, which matters if you’re supplementing range cattle through a creep feeder or a trough system where long-stem hay isn’t practical. For small herds or hobby farms with just a few animals, the ease of handling 50-pound bags of pellets often outweighs the per-pound cost difference.