Cultivation

Alfalfa Silage and Haylage

Medicago sativa L.

Alfalfa is a difficult-to-ensile crop due to its low sugar content and high buffering capacity. The optimal harvesting method is wilting for haylage, as fresh-cut mass is prone to butyric acid fermentation.

In the reference 108 varieties crop Alfalfa, where this is mentioned in the description.

The primary difficulty in harvesting fodder from alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is due to its chemical composition: a high content of protein compounds, which create a significant buffering capacity, and a deficit of readily fermentable sugars. These factors hinder the rapid pH reduction necessary for preservation and create conditions for the development of Clostridium, which causes butyric acid fermentation.

Technologically, the preferred method is the production of haylage with pre-wilting of the mass to a moisture content of 60–65%. This allows for an increase in osmotic pressure and suppresses the activity of putrefactive bacteria. It is important to keep the wilting period under 24 hours to prevent the loss of the leafy parts of the plant, where the majority of the protein is concentrated.

Fodder quality depends critically on the growth stage: the beginning of budding is considered the most favorable period for mowing. In later growth stages, the stems become coarser, which impairs ensilability and the overall nutritional value of the raw material. Alfalfa's high sensitivity to oxygen exposure requires high-quality compaction of the mass and complete sealing of storage facilities.

General information about the subject — on the page Silage and haylage.