Frances Sheffield looks a source of beneficial fibre Is there anything new in this world? Are our animals really so different to those of our forefathers? I don’t think so, so why are we not feeding the fantastic forage crops of yesteryear?

Alfalfa (Lucerne) two names for the same plant, Medicago sativa, is one of the world’s most important and oldest forage crops that is now enjoying a revival in popularity. Modern science and technology allows British grown Alfalfa to be available in the two most popular forms of forage suitable to be fed to equines and goats as well as other grazing animals in the UK. Alfalfa is available in a chopped and dried form, artificially dried in modern fuel-efficient specialist dryers or this wonderful forage crop to be made into the most popular form of long fibre - haylage. Because of its ‘stalky’ nature, unless really good hay making weather is experienced over at least a week it will not make into clean, quality ‘hay’ in our climate. The grazing animals of the UK can enjoy all the benefits of British grown alfalfa; high fibre, quality protein and a high vitamin and mineral specification without risk as short chop of long fibre haylage.

Alfalfa is a legume, which means that it fixes its own nitrogen, so is seriously economical when counting the use of nitrogen fertilisers. If you live in certain areas of the country you will see it growing in the fields. At maturity it stands about 70cm high, has compound leaves with three leaflets and clusters of very pretty small purple flowers. The yield of the crop is very dependent on the rainfall and for commercial growing in a normal year allows for several cuts to be taken for drying. This year the yields are looking good. Fortunately alfalfa is relatively drought tolerant and this year’s dry spring has not affected the amount being cut for both forms of conservation. When used in cereal rotations, an extended break from cereal growing can be achieved whilst the nitrogen fixation and recycling of nutrients can support successive crops and improve grain protein. It is not the plant that has changed in recent years to allow for the dramatic rise in popularity, but the way in which we can now conserve it. The modern high temperature dryers allow alfalfa to be conserved in a way that ensures that it is mould and dust free, that the leaf (which contains most of the nutrients) remains with the stalk and it is available year round. Over the years the skill and methods employed to make Alfalfa haylage have improved and a haylage market brand leader, HorseHage says it is very confident that the Alfalfa HorseHage made during 2011 will be some of the best ever.

Harvesting of alfalfa for artificial drying has changed in the last ten years. The plant is cut and left to wilt on the field for a day or so, depending on the weather conditions. It is then picked up and chopped with a forage harvester before being ‘flash’ dried through a high temperature dryer. The fuel efficient forage driers resemble huge tumble driers (the size of a bus) with hot air taking the plant temperature up to about 600ºC. This reduces the moisture levels and retains the nutrient values. The chopped, dried alfalfa is then stored ready for use latter in the season. Alfalfa is a rich source of highly digestible fibre. Cattle, sheep, goats and horses all benefit from the excellent source of bio-available calcium and the numerous micronutrients and vitamins such as zinc, biotin and the vitamin A available, which are vital for good hoof growth and are essential during pregnancy and lactation. The dried product in its pure form will provide approximately 10MJ/KG of energy and something like 16per cent protein and as haylage about 12 per cent protein and 9MJ/KG of energy.