Alfalfa makes sense for 4 reasons:

1. Nutritional Sense

• Low fiber – maximizes a cow’s daily dry matter intake while still meeting the animal’s rumen fiber requirements.

• Protein - optimal use in the ration can reduce purchased supplement expenses. Alfalfa produces at least 3 times more protein per acre than other crops grown in U.S. dairy regions.

• High potassium – Dairy cattle need large quantities of potassium which alfalfa can supply.

• High calcium – Alfalfa provides more calcium per ton than any other forage or grain.

2. Economic Sense

• Increased profits from alfalfa – Top dairymen know alfalfa is their most profitable crop. Check any farm management records program and see that alfalfa has been the most profitable crop when compared to other commodity crops over a number of years.

• Alfalfa benefits cropping systems – Alfalfa reduces nitrogen fertilizer expense for most succeeding crops and provides a 10 to 15% yield boost to corn following alfalfa. Alfalfa also helps break disease and insect cycles for other crops thereby reducing yield losses and/or the need for insecticides.

• Higher yields per acre – Improved varieties and better management tools continue to increase yields of alfalfa.

3. Reduced Risk

• Reduced Risk – Alfalfa is a rugged crop; improved winter hardiness and disease resistance of new varieties continue to enhance its ability to grow and survive difficult conditions. Alfalfa also offers the opportunity for several cuttings during the year so bad conditions for one period don’t ruin the entire year’s forage supply.

• Better production under droughty conditions – With its deep root system, alfalfa will continue to grow and produce more yield under moisture stress than most other crops. Alfalfa will regrow once moisture conditions improve while most grain crops will suffer irreversible yield loss.

4. Conservation Sense

• Reduced soil erosion and runoff – Alfalfa provides excellent ground cover cover which reduces soil erosion and runoff of phosphorus and pesticides into streams and lakes. Alfalfa is one of the best crops for trapping nitrogen before it gets into groundwater due to its deep root system which extends below the root-absorption zone of most other crops.

• Added manure management options – Alfalfa provides opportunities for manure application several times a year. This helps producers spread their workload and minimize storage facilities.

• Improved soil health – Since alfalfa is a perennial crop that lasts several years, only a portion of a grower’s entire acreage needs to be seeded each spring. Absence of tillage during the life of the stand reduces the breakdown of soil structure compared to annually tilled row crops.

• Wildlife benefits – Alfalfa is home for many insects that are beneficial, praying on other insects, producing honey, and are a food source for birds. Alfalfa attracts many birds and small mammals to feed and nest because it provides ground cover for a long season.