Alfafa/lucern

Alfalfa/lucerne silage is fermented, high-moisture stored forage made by chopping and compacting alfalfa at a moisture content of 60-70% to create an airtight environment, which results in a nutritious animal feed high in protein and ideal for dairy cows and other animals with high nutrient requirements. Making alfalfa/lucerne silage is a multi-step process, involving harvesting the crop at the proper stage of maturity, allowing it to wilt, chopping it, and then storing it in a sealed silo or bunker to undergo fermentation.

Alfafa/lucern

• Deep Taproot:

Its extensive root system allows it to access water and nutrients from deep in the soil, making it drought-tolerant. 

• Nutrient-Rich:

Lucerne is a protein-rich feed, high in minerals, vitamins, and essential amino acids, making it excellent for livestock, especially horses. 

• Legume:

As a legume, it fixes nitrogen in the soil, which improves soil fertility and health. 

• Appearance:

It has trifoliate, serrated leaves and produces clusters of small purple flowers. 

• Versatile Use:

Grown for grazing, hay, and silage, it’s also used as a green manure and cover crop.

Alfafa/lucern

• High Nutritional Value: Alfalfa/lucerne is a high-quality forage crop rich in protein, vitamins, and minerals, making it suitable for animals with high energy and nutrient needs, like dairy cows.
• Improved Animal Performance: Studies have shown that incorporating lucerne silage into dairy cow diets can enhance forage intake and increase milk protein output.
• Cost-Effective Feed: Alfalfa/lucerne silage can be a cost-effective forage source, especially when compared to other forages.
• Complementary to Other Silages: Its nutritional profile complements other forages, such as maize (corn) silage, by providing nutrients that are typically low in maize.

Alfafa/lucern

• Harvesting: Harvest at the late bud or early bloom stage of maturity to ensure the highest nutrient content.
• Wilting: Allow the chopped forage to wilt to a moisture content of 60-70%.
• Chopping: Chop the wilted forage into 2–5-inch lengths.
• Additives: Consider adding available carbohydrates or preservatives to the high-moisture silage to aid in fermentation.
• Storage: Immediately fill a silo or bunker, ensuring thorough packing to create an airtight environment.
• Fermentation: The airtight, high-moisture conditions promote fermentation, which preserves the forage and makes it a nutritious feed for livestock.