What makes the perfect bale of hay? For many livestock owners, the answer lies in one powerhouse plant: alfalfa. This green gold feeds cattle, horses, and goats better than almost anything else. But here’s the tricky part: choosing the right alfalfa seed feels like navigating a maze. You want high yields, strong plants, and the best nutrition, but the sheer number of varieties can leave you scratching your head. Which seed resists disease best? Which one grows well in your soil?
Getting this first step wrong means wasted time, money, and lower-quality feed for your animals. This guide cuts through the confusion. We will break down exactly what you need to look for when buying alfalfa seed specifically for making hay. You will learn the secrets to matching the seed to your farm’s needs. Keep reading to discover the keys to planting a successful, profitable alfalfa hay field this season.
Top Alfalfa Seed For Hay Recommendations
- PREMIUM ALFALFA SEEDS FOR PLANTING & FORAGE PRODUCTIONS: Outsidepride’s Vernal alfalfa seed is ideal for planting lush, green pastures, high-quality hay production, and nutritious livestock forage. Specially designed for outdoor growth, these perennial seeds deliver dense coverage and superior yield, ensuring a productive crop season after season.
- HIGHLY NUTRITIOUS & VERSATILE FORAGE: Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, our alfalfa sprouts provide a high-nutrient food plot and pasture option that enhances cattle grazing, supports livestock health, and improves animal wellness. Suitable for multiple uses, this lawn grass seed offer flexibility for any agricultural or gardening project.
- EXCEPTIONAL GROWTH QUALITIES FOR MULTIPLE HARVEST: Achieve up to 3-4 harvests annually with our Vernal alfalfa plants due to their rapid regrowth and high yield potential. With outstanding winter hardiness, a robust root system, and swift recovery after cutting, it ensures consistent productivity and high yields, even in tough conditions.
- ENHANCED SEED COATING FOR OPTIMAL RESULTS: Each seed is Nitrocoated and inoculated to enhance nitrogen fixation, improve water absorption, and promote overall plant health. This advanced coating accelerates the growing process of grass seeds, increases germination rates, and supports vigorous growth.
- NON-GMO HEIRLOOM QUALITY: Rely on our non-GMO, heirloom alfalfa pasture seed, carefully packaged fresh for the current year to ensure optimal germination and growth. These alfalfa seeds excel in various conditions, offering a reliable, year-round supply of green forage for livestock, while supporting healthier and efficient land use.
- PREMIUM ALFALFA SEEDS FOR PLANTING & FORAGE PRODUCTIONS: Outsidepride’s Vernal alfalfa seed is ideal for planting lush, green pastures, high-quality hay production, and nutritious livestock forage. Specially designed for outdoor growth, these perennial seeds deliver dense coverage and superior yield, ensuring a productive crop season after season.
- HIGHLY NUTRITIOUS & VERSATILE FORAGE: Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, our alfalfa sprouts provide a high-nutrient food plot and pasture option that enhances cattle grazing, supports livestock health, and improves animal wellness. Suitable for multiple uses, this lawn grass seed offer flexibility for any agricultural or gardening project.
- EXCEPTIONAL GROWTH QUALITIES FOR MULTIPLE HARVEST: Achieve up to 3-4 harvests annually with our Vernal alfalfa plants due to their rapid regrowth and high yield potential. With outstanding winter hardiness, a robust root system, and swift recovery after cutting, it ensures consistent productivity and high yields, even in tough conditions.
- ENHANCED SEED COATING FOR OPTIMAL RESULTS: Each seed is Nitrocoated and inoculated to enhance nitrogen fixation, improve water absorption, and promote overall plant health. This advanced coating accelerates the growing process of grass seeds, increases germination rates, and supports vigorous growth.
- NON-GMO HEIRLOOM QUALITY: Rely on our non-GMO, heirloom alfalfa pasture seed, carefully packaged fresh for the current year to ensure optimal germination and growth. These alfalfa seeds excel in various conditions, offering a reliable, year-round supply of green forage for livestock, while supporting healthier and efficient land use.
- PREMIUM ALFALFA SEEDS FOR PLANTING & FORAGE PRODUCTIONS: Outsidepride’s Vernal alfalfa seed is ideal for planting lush, green pastures, high-quality hay production, and nutritious livestock forage. Specially designed for outdoor growth, these perennial seeds deliver dense coverage and superior yield, ensuring a productive crop season after season.
- HIGHLY NUTRITIOUS & VERSATILE FORAGE: Packed with essential vitamins and minerals, our alfalfa sprouts provide a high-nutrient food plot and pasture option that enhances cattle grazing, supports livestock health, and improves animal wellness. Suitable for multiple uses, this lawn grass seed offer flexibility for any agricultural or gardening project.
- EXCEPTIONAL GROWTH QUALITIES FOR MULTIPLE HARVEST: Achieve up to 3-4 harvests annually with our Vernal alfalfa plants due to their rapid regrowth and high yield potential. With outstanding winter hardiness, a robust root system, and swift recovery after cutting, it ensures consistent productivity and high yields, even in tough conditions.
- ENHANCED SEED COATING FOR OPTIMAL RESULTS: Each seed is Nitrocoated and inoculated to enhance nitrogen fixation, improve water absorption, and promote overall plant health. This advanced coating accelerates the growing process of grass seeds, increases germination rates, and supports vigorous growth.
- NON-GMO HEIRLOOM QUALITY: Rely on our non-GMO, heirloom alfalfa pasture seed, carefully packaged fresh for the current year to ensure optimal germination and growth. These alfalfa seeds excel in various conditions, offering a reliable, year-round supply of green forage for livestock, while supporting healthier and efficient land use.
- Alfalfa Seeds - 1 Lb - Medicago sativa
- Non-GMO - Heirloom - Open Pollinated - High Germination Rate
- Seeds For: Gardening, Field Growing, Cover Crop
- Days to Full Maturity: 60-70 -- Perennial - USDA Hardiness Zone: 2-9
- Mountain Valley Seed Company Brand - Premium Quality Seeds
- Convenient compact size roughly 6"x6"x12"
- This hay provides for your pet’s many needs, from dental care, to play time, and is additive and preservative free
- Easy to feed for a convenient mealtime!
- FOR SPROUTING: Organic Alfalfa Seeds are specially prepared and processed to be used for home sprouting
- GROWN IN THE USA: Stored and germination tested to sprout properly under normal conditions
- CERTIFICATIONS/CLASSIFICATIONS: Organic, Soy Free, Sugar Free, Non-GMO, Vegan, Made without Gluten, Dairy Free, Egg Free, Kosher, Low Sodium
- GMP Quality Assured: NPA A-rated GMP certification means that every aspect of the NOW manufacturing process has been examined, including our laboratory/testing methods (for stability, potency, and product formulation)
- Packaged in the USA by a family owned and operated company since 1968
- SOFT TEXTURE & SWEET FLAVOR: With its soft texture and naturally sweet flavor, Alfalfa hay appeals to rabbits, guinea pigs, and small herbivores; This high-fiber hay supports healthy digestion while encouraging natural chewing behaviors
- PREMIUM HIGH-PROTEIN ALFALFA FOR YOUNG PETS: Oxbow Alfalfa offers essential protein, energy, and calcium to support growth and development in young rabbits & guinea pigs; also ideal for pregnant or nursing small animals needing extra nutritional support.
- SUPPORT HEALTHY GROWTH: Rich in protein and calcium to promote healthy weight gain and strong bones; provides balanced nutrition for young, active, or recovering small pets; encourages natural chewing to support dental health and reduce boredom.
- FRESH, SWEET TASTE ENCOURAGES APPETITE: Hand-selected for its soft texture & sweet, fresh aroma that stimulates picky eaters; great for encouraging healthy eating habits in young rabbits, guinea pigs, and other small herbivores who need extra nutrition
- EXPERTLY HARVESTED & HAND-SORTED: Harvested at peak freshness and meticulously hand-sorted to ensure only the softest and most flavorful strands are chosen; supports digestive health and delivers a premium feeding experience your pet will enjoy every day
Your Complete Guide to Buying Alfalfa Seed for Hay
Alfalfa makes fantastic hay for livestock. It is packed with protein and nutrients. Choosing the right seed ensures a healthy, productive field for years. This guide helps you select the best alfalfa seed for your hay-making needs.
Key Features to Look For in Alfalfa Seed
When buying alfalfa seed, several features really matter for good hay production.
- Variety and Dormancy: Different alfalfa varieties suit different climates. Dormancy rating tells you how quickly the plant stops growing in the cold. Low dormancy varieties grow more cuttings in warmer areas. High dormancy varieties handle harsh, cold winters better.
- Disease and Pest Resistance: Look for seeds rated highly for resistance to common local diseases like Verticillium wilt or bacterial wilt. Resistant plants stay healthy longer, meaning more hay.
- Yield Potential: Check the expected yield per acre. This number shows how much hay the variety usually produces under good conditions.
- Seed Coating: Many seeds come coated with lime or inoculant. The coating helps the tiny seeds get started quickly by providing necessary bacteria (rhizobia) for nitrogen fixing.
Important Materials and Seed Quality
The quality of the seed itself determines your success. You are not just buying seeds; you are buying potential growth.
Always check the Seed Label. This label provides important legal information about what is in the bag.
- Purity Percentage: This shows what percentage of the bag is actual alfalfa seed. Aim for 95% purity or higher. Low purity means you are paying for weed seeds or filler.
- Germination Rate: This is the percentage of seeds that will actually sprout under good conditions. A high germination rate (usually 80% or higher) means you need less seed per acre for a thick stand.
- Other Crop Seeds/Weed Seeds: The label lists any other seeds found. Make sure the percentage of weed seeds is very low—ideally close to zero. Noxious weeds must be absent.
Factors That Improve or Reduce Hay Quality
The seed you choose directly impacts the hay you harvest.
Factors that Improve Quality:
- Choosing varieties known for high leaf-to-stem ratio. Leaves hold most of the protein.
- Selecting seeds adapted to your soil type (e.g., drought-tolerant varieties for dry areas).
- Ensuring proper soil pH (alfalfa likes slightly sweet soil).
Factors that Reduce Quality:
- Planting a variety not suited for your region’s winter. The plants might die over winter.
- Using untreated seed in new ground. Without the right bacteria, the plants cannot get enough nitrogen.
- Buying old seed. Seed loses its ability to sprout (viability) over time.
User Experience and Use Cases
Farmers use alfalfa hay for different animals. Your intended use should guide your seed choice.
Dairy Cattle: Dairy cows need the highest protein. Look for premium, high-protein varieties, often those with multiple cuttings per season.
Beef Cattle or Horses: While still requiring good nutrition, these animals might tolerate slightly lower protein levels than high-producing dairy cows. For horses, ensure the hay is free of blister beetles, which can sometimes be attracted to certain alfalfa types.
First-Time Growers: If this is your first time planting alfalfa, choose a well-known, proven variety that is easy to establish and highly resistant to common local problems. Simple establishment leads to a better initial experience.
10 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) About Alfalfa Seed
Q: How much alfalfa seed should I buy per acre?
A: The typical seeding rate is between 10 to 20 pounds per acre. You use more seed if planting into weedy ground or if you want a very dense stand quickly.
Q: Should I inoculate alfalfa seed?
A: Yes, almost always. Inoculation adds the necessary rhizobia bacteria. These bacteria help the alfalfa pull nitrogen from the air, which feeds the plant. If you are planting where alfalfa has not grown recently, inoculation is critical.
Q: What is the best time to plant alfalfa seed?
A: Early spring is usually the best time. This gives the seedlings time to establish strong roots before the summer heat or winter cold arrives.
Q: How long does an alfalfa stand last?
A: A healthy, well-managed stand can produce hay for three to seven years, depending on the climate, soil, and how many times you cut it each year.
Q: Does lime coating on seed really help?
A: Yes. Alfalfa needs a neutral to slightly sweet soil pH (around 6.5 to 7.0). Lime coating helps neutralize the acid immediately around the tiny seed, helping it sprout better.
Q: What is “dormancy” in alfalfa, and why does it matter?
A: Dormancy describes how quickly the plant stops growing when temperatures drop. Low dormancy (e.g., 3 or 4) means more cuttings in the south. High dormancy (e.g., 8 or 9) means the plant goes dormant earlier to survive harsh northern winters.
Q: Can I mix alfalfa seed with grass seed?
A: Yes, many farmers mix alfalfa with grasses like orchardgrass or smooth brome. This mix often provides a more balanced feed and can help suppress weeds while the slower-growing alfalfa establishes.
Q: How do I know if my alfalfa seed is too old to plant?
A: If the germination test date on the bag is more than two years old, the viability might be low. If in doubt, do a small germination test at home using wet paper towels.
Q: What is the difference between fall-planted and spring-planted alfalfa?
A: Spring planting allows the plant maximum time to build deep roots before winter. Fall planting works well in areas with mild winters but requires careful weed management early on.
Q: Should I buy conventional or genetically modified (GM) alfalfa seed?
A: Most alfalfa grown for hay is conventional. GM alfalfa is sometimes used, but many horse and organic producers avoid it. Check your local market demands before choosing GM varieties.