Alfalfa Hay Quality and Dairy Nutrition

Abstract

Alfalfa may be harvested and used as green feed, pellets, haylage, cubes, hays or matured for seed. The value of the product is determined in part by the yield, costs of production, demand and end usage. The high nutrient composition makes this feed a major component of balanced rations. However, its quality is highly variable from production through harvest, storage and feeding.