Dairy cows prefer the taste of high-yielding WL 325 HQ alfalfa 7-to-1 over the competion

Dairy cows prefer the taste of high-yielding WL 325 HQ alfalfa 7-to-1 over the competion

EVANSVILLE, WISCONSIN- Who says taste doesn’t matter to dairy cows? In a 1998 palatability test conducted by Dr. Dave Combs at the University of Wisconsin, dairy cows were offered a choice between hay from WL 325 HQ alfalfa and two leading competitive varieties (PioneerÒ brand 5454 and Dairyland brand Magnum IV). Not only did the cows choose WL 325 HQ seven-to-one over the competitors, they consumed 66 percent more of the HQ variety than the competitors during this research feeding trial.

"The fact that these cows showed a seven-to-one preference for the taste of the High Quality (HQ) variety is phenomenal," says Dr. Rod Hintz, animal nutritionist at W-L Research, Inc. "There is no question that the cows could detect a difference and exhibited a preference when given a choice between the HQ variety and the competitors."

During a two-day study, 48 cows were fed uniform rations including the choice of two hays (WL 325 HQ and one of two competitive varieties) after their morning milking. From a total of 96 observations, 67 percent of the cows demonstrated a preference for WL 325 HQ, 24 percent demonstrated no preference and (9 percent showed a preference for one of the two competitors (see chart below).

In addition, the cows’ average intake during the trial clearly favored the HQ variety: average intake per cow was 2.87 lbs. for WL 325 HQ and only 1.73 lbs. for the competitive varieties.

In head-to-head comparisons, cows in the trial preferred WL 325 HQ six-to-one over Pioneer brand 5454 and consumed an average of 1.03 pounds more of the HQ variety than the Pioneer VARIETY. Against Magnum IV, the cows demonstrated an eight-to-one taste preference and consumed an average of 1.26 pounds more WL 325 HQ than Magnum IV. Since superior palatability usually translates into greater intake, dairy producers may realize extra benefits from increased milk production and profitability when feeding HQ varieties as part of a total mixed ration.

University results confirm that WL 325 HQ demonstrates significantly greater profitability when compared to Pioneer brand 5454 and Magnum IV. But how do the HQ varieties stack up to the competition in terms of yield potential? University trials across the Midwest and Northeast (see table below) clearly show that WL 325 HQ delivers consistently high forage yields across a wide range of soil types and growing conditions.

WL 325 HQ Yield Rank	No. of Entries	University (Location)

1st	18	University of Wisconsin, Lancaster
1st	18	University of Wisconsin, Marshfield
2nd	25	Iowa State University, Ames
2nd	18	University of Illinois, Urbana
1st	21	The Ohio State University, N.W. Branch
1st	34	Cornell University, Ithaca NY
1st	43	Penn State University, Rock Springs

In terms of benefits to dairy producers and their herds, university tests prove that WL 325 HQ offers growers and dairymen significant advantages in palatability, yield and profitability over conventional varieties. To cows, they just taste better. To dairymen, they just make more milk.

Pioneer is a registered trademark of Pioneer Hi-Breed International, Inc.

For more information, contact:
Dave Horras
1-800-735-9558