What is Alfalfa?
Through bacteria living in root nodules, alfalfa can fix nitrogen from the air. Its need for nitrogen fertiliser is therefore low, and in a rotation it improves soil fertility for the crop that follows.
It can be used as fresh forage, hay, silage or for grazing. Its deep roots make it drought resistant, and a well-managed alfalfa field stays productive for several years.
Why does it matter when choosing seed?
Alfalfa is one of the key crops covering the roughage and protein needs of livestock farms. Because it is perennial, the choice of variety shapes the field’s plan for several years.
Related terms
Dry matter (DM)
Dry matter is what remains of a feed or plant sample once all its water has been removed, usually expressed as a percentage.
Silage maize
Silage maize is maize grown so that the whole plant (stalk, leaves and ear) can be chopped, fermented in airtight conditions and stored as animal feed.