08.08.2015   Alcoholic Fuels

ALFALFA LEAF MEAL

Because alfalfa leaves contain approximately 300 g CP kg-1 DM, this portion of the crop has greater value as an animal feedstuff than for conversion to ethanol. Based simply on its protein concentration, alfalfa leaf meal was estimated to have a value of $138 Mg-1 (Linn and Jung, unpublished). This price far exceeds the target feedstock value of $33 Mg-1 assumed in a functioning corn stover-to — ethanol production system (Aden et al., 2002). In an extensive series of studies involving lactating dairy cows and fattening beef cattle, alfalfa leaf meal was shown to be an acceptable protein feed supplement in place of soybean meal (DiCostanzo et al., 1999). Besides providing protein for beef steer growth, alfalfa leaf meal also reduced the incidence of liver abscesses at slaughter, thereby increasing the market value of the cattle. Furthermore, alfalfa leaf meal could replace alfalfa hay in the diet of lactating dairy cows as a source of both protein and fiber to support normal milk production (Akayezu et al., 1997). Suckling beef calves actually gained weight more rapidly when fed alfalfa leaf meal in a supplemental creep feed than observed with a soybean meal-based supplement (DiCostanzo et al., 1999). From these results, it is clear that alfalfa leaf meal could provide a valuable coproduct for an alfalfa-to-ethanol production system.