Alfalfa hay varieties have been developed and cultivated in Korea to enhance the self-sufficiency rate of domestic roughage. The objective of this study was to compare the effects of feeding domestic and imported alfalfa on the growth performance and economic feasibility of Hanwoo bulls. This study was conducted using eight Hanwoo bulls, aged 6 to 7 months, during their growing period. Hanwoo bulls were divided into two groups: one group fed imported alfalfa and the other group fed domestic alfalfa. Dry matter intake, weight gain, and blood metabolites were analyzed for two months of the growing stage. There was no significant difference between the two groups in dry matter intake and body weight. However, the price of domestic alfalfa is lower than that of imported alfalfa, so feeding domestic alfalfa is expected to have a positive effect on reducing production costs. Further study is needed to compare not only the growth performance but also carcass characteristics after slaughter by feeding domestic alfalfa to Hanwoo for a longer period during their growing stage.

The objective of this study was to investigate the comparison of feeding a total mixed ration (TMR) containing imported alfalfa hay and TMR containing hot-air dried domestic alfalfa on rumination activity, milk production, and composition in lactating dairy cows. Ten Holstein dairy cows were divided into two groups: control (imported alfalfa hay + TMR) and treatment (hot-air dried domestic alfalfa + TMR) groups. The study was conducted over a total period of 18 days, including a 13-days adaptation period and a 5-days main experimental period. The results indicated no differences in total digestible nutrient and net energy intake between the imported and hot-air dried alfalfa. Body weight was not significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05), however, total feed intake and rumination time were significantly and tendentially higher in the treatment group compared with control group, respectively (p<0.001; p=0.075). Milk yield was not significantly different between the two groups (p>0.05), however, milk fat (kg) and lactose (%) concentration were significantly higher in the treatment group compared with control group (p=0.016; p=0.02). This study confirms that feeding TMR with hot-air dried domestic alfalfa results in no differences of feed intake, rumination activity, and milk productivity. Therefore, it is considered that hot-air dried domestic alfalfa can be used as a substitute for imported alfalfa on lactating dairy cows.