Alfalfa - forage for livestock
Alfalfa, also known as “lucerne,” is a legume hay belonging to the pea family. Renowned for its high nutritional value, it is widely considered the best legume hay when properly cured. Alfalfa is a vital feed for a range of farm animals, including horses, dairy and beef cattle, sheep, chickens, and turkeys. Among perennial pasture forages, it is unmatched in feed value and nutritional benefits.
Nutritional Benefits of Alfalfa
Alfalfa hay is celebrated for its exceptional nutritional quality, making it one of the most popular feed varieties for livestock.
High Vitamin Content
Alfalfa is packed with essential vitamins, including A, D, E, K, U, C, B1, B2, B6, B12, Niacin, Pantothenic acid, Inositol, Biotin, and Folic acid.
Rich in Protein and Calcium
Compared to grass hay, alfalfa is more palatable and provides superior levels of energy, protein, and calcium, essential for animal growth and health.
Abundance of Minerals
Alfalfa is rich in critical minerals such as phosphorus, calcium, potassium, sodium, chlorine, sulfur, magnesium, and trace elements like copper, manganese, iron, cobalt, and molybdenum. It also contains rare trace elements like nickel, lead, strontium, and palladium.
Alfalfa Hay’s Benefits for Animals
Horses
Alfalfa plays a crucial role in a horse’s diet by meeting their protein requirements and supplying essential vitamins and minerals. It is particularly beneficial for young horses and lactating mares with high protein and mineral needs. By including alfalfa in a horse’s roughage, the need for additional supplements, which often have laxative effects, is reduced or eliminated.
Cows
Alfalfa hay is a top choice for both domestic and export markets, particularly for high-producing dairy cows. It supports rumen health and aids in fermentative digestion, enhancing overall animal health. As an efficient energy source, alfalfa meets the high nutritional demands of lactating cows and is among the most popular feed varieties worldwide.
Harvesting Alfalfa
Alfalfa fields are harvested multiple times a season, up to eight times in warmer regions. Optimal nutrition is achieved when alfalfa is cut pre-bloom, as this ensures that the nutrients remain concentrated in the leaves and stems rather than moving into the flower. The plant’s nutrition, along with its texture and color, plays a critical role in determining the quality and grading of alfalfa hay.
Daily Alfalfa Requirements for Horses
Horses require relatively small amounts of protein daily, typically ¾ to 1 pound of digestible protein (DP). This need can be met by making alfalfa half of their roughage diet. Consistently feeding high-quality alfalfa reduces the reliance on supplements, providing a safe and reliable source of nutrition. By ensuring year-round availability, alfalfa supports the dietary needs of horses effectively and consistently.