November 9, 2026

Alfalfa Hay Pellets for Livestock: Benefits, Quality and Buying Tips

Alfalfa, also called lucerne, is one of the most nutritious forage crops for livestock. When it is dried and compressed into pellets, it becomes easy to transport, store and feed. Alfalfa pellets are used for dairy and beef cattle, sheep, goats, horses and rabbits, and are popular in regions where good hay is scarce.

Why choose pellets instead of baled hay?

Less storage space: pellets are much denser than bales, so more feed fits in a container or warehouse.
Less waste: animals cannot sort or trample pellets the way they do loose hay.
Consistent nutrition: every bag has a similar analysis.
Less dust: better for animals with breathing problems.
Easy to mix: pellets blend well into rations with grain and protein meals.

Quality values to check

Value	What to look for
Crude protein	Typically around 15–18%; higher protein usually means a better cut of alfalfa.
Fibre	Important for rumen health; agree typical values with the supplier.
Moisture	Low moisture protects against mould during shipping and storage.
Colour and smell	Green colour and a fresh smell show good drying and storage.
Pellet size	6 mm or 8 mm are common; smaller sizes suit sheep, goats and rabbits.

Packaging and storage

Alfalfa pellets are usually shipped in 25 kg bags, jumbo bags or in bulk. Store them dry, ventilated and off the floor, and check regularly for heating or mould.

Feeding tips

Introduce pellets gradually over one to two weeks, make sure animals always have water, and balance the ration with an adviser or nutritionist. Many feed mills combine alfalfa pellets with protein sources such as soybean meal.

Documents

Alfalfa meal and pellets are classified under HS code 1214.10. As a plant product, they usually need a phytosanitary certificate. See our guide to export documents.