Alfalfa is one of North America’s most important commercial forage crops.
Its combination of protein, digestible nutrients and leaf-rich forage characteristics makes it widely used within dairy and livestock feeding programs.
For international buyers, however, purchasing Alfalfa should involve more than asking whether the hay is “high protein.”
Maturity, leaf retention, fiber characteristics, moisture, crop condition and laboratory analysis can all influence commercial value.
Why Is Alfalfa Different From Grass Hay?
Alfalfa is a legume, while forage products such as Timothy are grasses.
This botanical difference contributes to their different nutritional profiles.
Alfalfa is generally associated with higher concentrations of protein and calcium than typical grass hay, although actual values vary substantially between crops.
Protein in Alfalfa Hay
Protein is one of the most frequently discussed specifications when purchasing Alfalfa.
But a protein number should not be evaluated in isolation.
Commercial buyers should consider the overall forage analysis together with maturity, leaf retention and intended feeding application.
ADF & NDF
Two measurements frequently encountered on forage analysis are:
ADF — Acid Detergent Fiber
and
NDF — Neutral Detergent Fiber
These measurements provide information about different fiber fractions within the forage and can help nutrition professionals evaluate forage characteristics.
They should be interpreted together with the rest of the analysis and the requirements of the feeding program.
RFV and RFQ
Some Alfalfa markets also use measurements such as Relative Feed Value (RFV) or Relative Forage Quality (RFQ) as comparative tools.
Buyers should understand which system their market uses and avoid comparing forage solely through one number.
Leaf Retention Matters
A substantial portion of Alfalfa’s nutritional value is associated with the leaves.
Leaf retention is therefore an important quality consideration.
Excessive handling of dry Alfalfa can contribute to leaf loss, which is one reason careful harvesting, processing and handling matter.
Maturity Matters
As Alfalfa matures, its physical and nutritional characteristics change.
Harvest timing therefore plays an important role in determining the final forage.
Rather than assuming all Alfalfa from a particular cutting is identical, buyers should evaluate the actual crop and analysis.
Alfalfa for Dairy Cattle
Alfalfa is widely incorporated into dairy feeding programs.
Commercial dairy buyers often place significant emphasis on:
Protein • Fiber Characteristics • Digestibility • Dry Matter • Consistency
The exact specifications required depend on the total ration and production objectives.
Alfalfa for Beef & Other Livestock
Alfalfa can also be used within beef cattle, sheep, goat and other livestock feeding programs.
Appropriate inclusion depends on nutritional requirements, production stage and the overall ration.
Alfalfa for Equestrian Markets
Alfalfa also has a place in many equestrian feeding programs.
However, its nutritional characteristics differ from Timothy and other grass hays.
The appropriate forage depends on the horse and complete feeding program.
[Read: Timothy Hay vs. Alfalfa Hay →]
What International Alfalfa Buyers Should Compare
When comparing Alfalfa offers, consider:
- Origin
- Cutting
- Maturity
- Protein
ADF/NDF - RFV/RFQ where applicable
- Leaf Retention
- Moisture
- Color
- Bale Format
- Current Crop Condition
Most importantly, compare like with like.
A quotation with a lower price may represent a substantially different forage specification.
Compressed Alfalfa for Export
Alfalfa intended for international markets can be compressed to reduce bale volume and improve container utilization.
Western Forage can prepare forage through our in-house hay compression facility according to applicable product and customer requirements.
[Explore Packaging & Shipping →]
North American Alfalfa for International Buyers
Western Forage supplies North American Alfalfa to importers, distributors, dairy/livestock customers and other commercial forage buyers.
Customers can provide their preferred nutritional specifications, bale format, destination and volume so current supply can be evaluated.
