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2 DLF Alfalfa DLF Alfalfa – start growing your return today DLF Alfalfa improves farm profitability. It helps farmers run an easier, more reliable, and more self- sufficient farm. DLF Alfalfa offers a complete portfolio of varieties and mixtures to meet the requirements of different markets and varying soils and climates. With this range of varieties, it is now easier than ever to grow a successful crop. Become self-sufficient with an 18-20% protein content Alfalfa is the world’s largest forage crop and a field with DLF Alfalfa provides more protein than most other forage crops. It improves farm profitability by increasing the proportion of home-grown protein, hence reducing a farmer’s vulnerability to fluctuating commodity prices. Optimal energy-to-protein ratio with DLF Alfalfa DLF Alfalfa is a good partner for forage grasses. By sowing DLF Alfalfa-plus-grass seed mixtures, an optimal ratio of energy to protein is achieved. Better still, DLF Alfalfa’s drought-tolerance improves the forage yield during dry seasons. A productive livestock herd needs plenty of protein and DLF Alfalfa is an excellent source. With a protein content between 18% and 20%, alfalfa often generates more than 3.000 kg protein/ha. This means that alfalfa provides more protein than forage grass (14%) or maize silage (9%). PROTEIN CONTENT IN DRY MATTER 20 16 12 8 4 0 0% Maize silage Forage grass beginning of heading Weight for weight, alfalfa gives more protein. Alfalfa bud stage In trials conducted in Belgium on grass and grass-plus-alfalfa mixtures, researchers recorded yields that were on average 30% higher for the grass-plus-alfalfa mixtures (see chart below). The biggest difference was the superior yield during periods of spring and summer drought. Bear in mind also that the researchers had to apply up to 300 kg N/ha/year on the grass-only plots. AVERAGE RELATIVE DRY-MATTER YIELD PURE GRASSES COMPARED TO GRASS-PLUS-ALFALFA MIXTURES Alaska brome* Alaska brome + Alfalfa Tall fescue* Tall fescue + Alfalfa Cocksfoot + Tall fescue* Cocksfoot + Tall fescue+ Alfalfa Cocksfoot* Cocksfoot + Alfalfa Alfalfa 0 20 40 60 80 100 120 *) Grasses received up to 300 kg N/ha/year. 100 = average of all mixtures and species. Data from the two sites best suited for alfalfa. The third site was still in favour of alfalfa, with +5% higher average yield. Source: Essais multilocaux sur les potentialités de production et de valeur alimentaire des associations graminées – Luzerne. (Multi-site trials on the production and nutritional potential of grasses – alfalfa). Association Française pour la Production Fourragère (AFPF), 2016. By D. Knoden, M. Hautot and C. Decamps.
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DLF Alfalfa 3 DLF Alfalfa improves animal health & feed quality DLF Alfalfa has a high feed-conversion rate and excellent nutritional value. It provides beef and dairy herds with essential fibres for rumen function, together with the vital protein they need. DLF Alfalfa also contains tannins that limit protein degradation, as well as essential amino acids, micro-elements, and vitamins. This rich nutrient content produces more tender meat, milk with increased levels of omega-3 fatty acids, and healthier animals. Drought tolerance maintains feed production DLF Alfalfa’s deep rooting makes it highly drought-tolerant compared to other forage crops. During a dry season in temperate regions, the dry-matter yield from a DLF Alfalfa-plus- grass mixture is up to four times more than you would get from forage grass alone. Including DLF Alfalfa in the crop plan gives a financial advantage as it maintains stable feed production. No fertiliser costs DLF Alfalfa is a nitrogen-fixing legume and when grown together with grass there is no need to add nitrogen – it even reduces the need for nitrogen for the following crop. The DLF Alfalfa fixes 100% of the nitrogen needed and typically saves around 250-300 kg N/ha/year. This helps eliminate the environmental impact from associated production and transportation. +5% increase in subsequent crop yields DLF Alfalfa makes an excellent rotational crop due to its nitrogen-fixing ability. Its strong deep roots improve soil structure and increases the organic matter in the soil. With more nitrogen, better soil aeration and enhanced microbial life, an average yield improvement of around 5% in subsequent crops can be expected. Grow DLF Alfalfa for a valuable dehydration market Whether preserved as pellets or bales, dehydration conserves high-quality forage for a maximum yield. DLF Alfalfa varieties are well-suited for dehydration. They exhibit excellent standability, which is a vital feature for dehydration factories that have to move harvest machinery from farm to farm. The high nematode tolerance reduces the risk of contamination in the alfalfa dehydration growing areas, and the high protein content and digestion secure high quality animal feed. Gain more, spend less DLF Alfalfa is a perennial crop that lasts for three to five years, reducing the need for annual soil cultivation as soil preparation and sowing is only needed in the sowing year. DLF Alfalfa requires fewer pesticide treatments, often limited to weed control the first year. Soybean and rape cakes are produced with a much higher need for pesticides. Alfalfa for dehydration is generally grown via contract production in which harvests are planned and conducted by local factories. Dehydrated alfalfa is used in: • National markets for high-performing dairy cows, or for horses and other animals with special quality needs • International markets, such as Asia and the Middle East that lack forage for dairy production, or for horse feeding
