Questions & Answers about DLF Alfalfa
DLF Alfalfa makes farming easier, more reliable, and more profitable. This extremely drought-tolerant crop produces more protein than soybean or maize. It needs no nitrogen fertiliser and is an excellent grass-mixture partner. Dive in to the questions about DLF Alfalfa below and find useful and enlightening answers. To find out more about DLF Alfalfa and to learn how to improve farm profitability contact your local DLF sales representative.
Alfalfa, scientifically known as Medicago sativa, is a perennial flowering legume belonging to the pea family (Fabaceae). It is a widely cultivated forage crop, valued for its high nutritional content, versatility, and ability to fix nitrogen in the soil.
Alfalfa typically has three leaflets per leaf; in technical language, alfalfa has a trifoliate leaf pattern. A multi-leaf variety has more than three leaflets per leaf – four, five, or maybe more. Multiple leaves result from genetic variations within alfalfa populations; this is a variation that breeders like to capitalise on.
Of the many differences, these three are the most significant:
Growth habit
Alfalfa has an upright growth habit, with tall stems that can often reach a metre or more in height.
Clover has a variety of growth habits: red clover typically grows taller, while white clover has a prostrate or creeping growth habit that forms a dense mat.
Adaptability to soil and climate
Alfalfa is well-adapted to a variety of soil types, but prefers well-drained soils. It is often grown in arid or semi-arid regions.
Clover (both red and white) is adaptable to a wide range of soil types, and is often used in mixtures with grasses. White clover is particularly suited to cool, temperate climates.
Root system
Alfalfa has a taproot system. The plant’s deep and robust taproot reaches down to water and nutrients in lower soil layers.
Clover typically has a shallower, fibrous root system.
Different root structures contribute to variations in drought-tolerance and adaptability.
Dormancy refers to the period of the year during which a plant's growth and development slows down or temporarily ceases. Dormancy is a natural survival mechanism that helps plants, including alfalfa, withstand adverse conditions – typically during the winter months or under other stress factors. Understanding dormancy is crucial for effective management of alfalfa crops.
Alfalfa dormancy is classified by a variety's fall dormancy (FD) number, which ranges from 1 to 10+. An FD1 variety will stop growing early in the autumn, whereas an FD10+ variety will hardly stop growing. FD10+ varieties are more vulnerable to low temperatures but highly suitable for hot climates.
The digital element of the FD number indicates the likely number of cuts you get each year: three cuts for FD3, eight cuts for FD8, etc.
Lodging is the tendency of a plant stem to bend or break, so that the plant no longer stands upright. Since alfalfa is usually grown for cutting rather than grazing, it needs to remain upright – to be resistant to lodging. In real life, anything from bad weather to equipment breakdown can delay cutting beyond the optimal harvest date. That’s when the lodging resistance of an alfalfa variety helps maintain yield and quality.
Yes. Although alfalfa is typically grown for hay production, it is also suitable for grazing. The grazing of alfalfa can be an effective way to provide a fresh forage source for livestock. If you do incorporate alfalfa into your grazing system, these are our tips for good management:
Timing of grazing
Timing is critical for maintaining the health of your alfalfa stand. Graze only during periods of active growth, and when your alfalfa plants are tall enough (roughly 20 to 30 cm) to withstand grazing pressure.
Grazing height
Don’t graze alfalfa too closely. Leave enough stubble height (roughly 10 cm) to help the plant recover quickly and promote regrowth.
Rotational grazing
Rotational grazing helps prevent overgrazing and gives your alfalfa plants time to recover. Split your pasture into smaller paddocks and rotate livestock between them.
Monitoring for bloat
Alfalfa can cause bloat in grazing animals, particularly during the early stages of plant regrowth. Bloat is a condition in which gas builds up inside the rumen, causing it to distend. Keep a look out for signs of bloat. If you see it, take preventive measures such as access to other forages or an anti-bloat agent.
Alfalfa inoculation is the process of introducing helpful nitrogen-fixing bacteria, known as rhizobia, to the seeds or soil during alfalfa seeding. Alfalfa forms a symbiotic relationship with these bacteria that enables the plant to fix atmospheric nitrogen.
Since inoculation improves alfalfa’s nitrogen-fixing capability, it is most effective when you plant alfalfa in a field where it has not recently grown or where there are low levels of the types of rhizobia that alfalfa needs.
The protein content of forage crops, including alfalfa, maize, grass, and clover, varies according to factors such as maturity at harvest, growing conditions, and plant species. Here's a general comparison of the protein content of these forage crops.
Alfalfa
Alfalfa is well-known for its high protein content. Dry-matter protein levels range from 15% to 25% or more, depending on factors such as time of harvest and other management practices. Early-cut alfalfa generally has a higher protein content.
Maize
Maize, when harvested as forage (green chop or silage), typically has a lower protein content than alfalfa. Maize forage might contain dry-matter protein levels of around 7% to 12%. Corn silage can still be a valuable component of livestock diets due to its energy content.
Grass
Forage grass species, such as timothy, bermuda grass, and fescue, have dry-matter protein contents ranging from 7% to 20%. The protein content of grass forage varies according to type of grass, stage of maturity, and environmental conditions.
Clover
Red and white clovers are known for having a moderate to high protein content. Dry-matter protein levels range from 15% to 25% or more, depending on factors such as species, maturity, and management practices.
Yes, alfalfa can be mixed with grasses. This is a good way to achieve an optimal ratio of energy to protein.
Choose grass species that complement the characteristics of alfalfa. Cool-season grasses such as timothy, orchard grass, and brome grass are often used in combination with alfalfa. These grasses tend to have good compatibility with alfalfa in terms of growth patterns and nutritional content.
Yes, leaving alfalfa to flower is good for the plants. It helps them build up enough nutrient reserves to survive the winter. Ideally you should let your alfalfa plants flower before the last cut of the year.
Flowering is also good for your local environment. Alfalfa is a pollinator-dependent crop: to reproduce it has to attract pollinators such as bees. Flowering provides pollinators with a food source and supports their populations.
Feeding cows purely on alfalfa is not recommended. Although alfalfa is a high-quality forage crop known for its rich protein and energy content, it lacks certain nutrients that are essential for the overall health and productivity of cows. On its own, alfalfa cannot provide livestock with a diverse, balanced, and nutritionally complete diet. The three components of a livestock diet that you need to think about are:
Protein content
Alfalfa is an excellent source of protein, which makes it a valuable component of livestock diets. An excess of protein can, however, lead to imbalances in the diet. Relying solely on alfalfa may result in an overabundance of certain amino acids.
Energy content
Alfalfa is a good source of energy, but it may not meet all the energy needs of your herd, especially in high-production situations. Energy requirements depend on factors such as a cow's stage of production and overall energy demands.
Fibre content
Although alfalfa contains fibre, it may not provide the optimal amount or type of fibre for good digestion and gut health. We recommend feeding cattle a balance of forages made up of varying fibre lengths and from different sources.
The ideal time to cut alfalfa for hay production is when the plants are in the bud-to-early-bloom stage. Cutting at this stage, when alfalfa has a high protein-and-energy nutritional content, maximises forage quality.
Alfalfa’s need for fertiliser depends on various factors, including soil fertility, climate, and management goals. Alfalfa is known for its ability to fix nitrogen through a symbiotic relationship with nitrogen-fixing bacteria in its root nodules. Although this contributes a significant portion of the plant’s nitrogen needs, alfalfa needs other essential nutrients for optimal growth and productivity:
Nitrogen (N)
Alfalfa can fix its own atmospheric nitrogen, so it needs less nitrogen fertiliser than other crops – sometimes no additional nitrogen. In newly established stands, however, or locations where nitrogen fixation may be limited, it’s worth adding extra nitrogen. But not too much. Excessive nitrogen can suppress nodulation and reduce the plant’s nitrogen-fixing ability.
Phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)
Phosphorus and potassium are critical for alfalfa growth and development. Adequate levels of both are essential for root development, winter hardiness, and overall plant health. Test the soil to see how much phosphorus and potassium you need to add.
Calcium (Ca) and magnesium (Mg)
Alfalfa needs adequate levels of calcium and magnesium. Add lime to adjust soil pH and provide sufficient calcium. And monitor magnesium levels to see if there are deficiencies that need to be corrected.
Sulphur (S)
Sulphur is an essential nutrient for alfalfa. Although alfalfa gathers sulphur from the soil and atmospheric deposition, deficiencies can occur, especially in regions with low sulphur availability. To correct the imbalance, apply sulphur-containing fertilisers.
Contact the forage team
Agricultural & Specialist Seeds Team:
Telephone: 01506 894820
Email: forage@dlf.co.uk