Forage is extremely important to the health of the dairy cow. Diets should have a ratio of concentrate:roughage no less than 60:40 unless you carefully manage the fiber portion of the diet. To maintain adequate effective 'scratch factor' from long hay and limit the use of the expensive alfalfa, keep a minimum of 5 lbs of long hay (8 to 10 lbs is better). More detailed information is available at your request.