Alfalfa
Medicago Sativa
Alfalfa (medicago sativa) is a perennial legume grown throughout the world. It is recognized as the premier forage because of its higher relative feed value. It has very high levels of crude protein content (15%-23%) and exceptional roughage values making it an ideal feed for dairy cattle. Additionally, alfalfa can be high in some required minerals such as calcium and phosphorus. The combinations of these factors can improve milk output per cow, increase the protein and fat content of milk, as well as improve the health of dairy animals.
All types and classes of forage-consuming livestock appreciate alfalfa, and perform well on it including beef cattle, sheep, goats and horses.
Specifications
Hay Quality Designation: Physical Description
Supreme: Very Early maturity, pre-bloom, soft fine stemmed, extra leafy. Factors indicative of very high nutritive content. Hay is excellent color and free of damage.
Premium: Early maturity, pre-bloom, extra leafy and fine stemmed. Factors indicative of high nutritive content. Hay is green and free of damage.
Good: Early to average maturity, early to mid-bloom, leafy, fine to medium stemmed, free of damage other than slight discoloration.
Fair: Late maturity, mid to late-bloom, moderate or below leaf content, generally coarse stemmed. Hay may show light damage.
Utility: Hay in very late maturity, mature seed pods, coarse stemmed. Includes hay with excessive damage and heavy weed content or mold. Defects will be identified in market reports when using this category.
Packaging Options
Finishing and Packaging Services:
Single-Compressed (50-60 kg) raw material from the field.
Double-Compressed bales processed from raw material.
Full Bale (55-60 kg) Dimensions: 24”H x 20”W x 17"D
Half-cut (25-30 kg) Dimensions: 12”H x 20”Wx 17"D
Sleeve 4-cut (430-460 kg) Dimensions:
Mag Bale: 34”H x 47”W x 42”D
Big Bale: 30”H x 45”W x 45”D
Wrapped Options:
For use with Full Bale and Half-cut packaging.
Harvest/Yields
Pacific Northwest (PNW): Typically harvested four times per year. Average yearly yields are around 8 tons/acre. 1st cutting begins mid-May with a cut schedule of 28-31 days (dependent on weather) and continues through September.
Mountain West: Typically harvested three times per year. Average yearly yields are around 6.5 tons/acre. 1st cutting begins mid-June with a cut schedule of 28-31 days (dependent on weather) and continues through September.
Pacific Southwest (PSW): Typically harvested 8 times per year. Average yearly yields are around 12 tons/acre. 1st cutting begins end of February with a cut schedule of 28-31 days (dependent on weather) and continues through October.