What to Look for When Buying Alfalfa Hay: A Buyer’s Checklist

Whether you're feeding horses, cattle, goats, or rabbits, the quality of your alfalfa hay can significantly impact the health and performance of your animals. With so many options on the market, it’s not always easy to identify the best product. If you're searching for alfalfa hay for sale, this buyer’s checklist will guide you through the key features and considerations to ensure you're making a smart purchase.

1. Understand Your Livestock’s Nutritional Needs

Different animals require different nutritional profiles. Alfalfa hay is known for its high protein and calcium content, which makes it a top choice for high-performance animals like lactating dairy cows or growing foals. However, it might be too rich for mature horses or animals prone to certain metabolic disorders.

Quick Tip:

• Horses: Opt for mid to late-bloom alfalfa to balance protein content.

• Dairy Cows: Early-bloom alfalfa is best due to its higher nutrient density.

• Goats/Rabbits: Choose fine-stemmed, leafy hay for ease of digestion.

Understanding what your animals need helps you determine which cut or maturity stage of alfalfa is best suited for them.

2. Inspect Leaf-to-Stem Ratio

The leaf portion of alfalfa hay carries most of the nutrients. A high-quality bale should have more leaves than stems. The stems should be soft, pliable, and relatively thin.

Look For:

• Leafy content that stays intact even when the bale is moved or handled.

• Stems that snap easily when bent (signaling maturity but not toughness).

• A low percentage of coarse stems or woody texture.

Too many coarse stems indicate the hay is too mature and may be less digestible and lower in nutritional value.

3. Evaluate Color and Aroma

Color and smell are great indicators of quality and freshness. Good alfalfa hay will usually appear green and smell fresh and sweet, which signals proper curing and storage.

Avoid:

• Yellow or brown hay (indicates sun bleaching, age, or poor storage).

• Dusty, moldy, or musty smells (potential health hazard, especially for horses).

• Hay that feels damp or warm to the touch (signs of possible spoilage or combustion risk).

Remember, vibrant color and clean scent mean better nutrient retention.

4. Check for Maturity Stage

Alfalfa hay is typically harvested at various stages of maturity, ranging from pre-bloom to full bloom. The nutritional quality and digestibility change depending on when it was harvested.

• Pre-Bloom: Highest nutritional value but may lack bulk.

• Early Bloom: Ideal balance for most livestock—nutrient-rich with decent fiber content.

• Mid to Full Bloom: Lower in nutrients but higher in fiber—suitable for mature animals.

Ask the seller which stage the hay was harvested in to better match your animals' needs.

5. Confirm the Cut

Alfalfa can be harvested several times a season. The first, second, and third cuts are most common, and each has unique characteristics.

• First Cut: Coarser stems, more weeds, but higher yield.

• Second Cut: Balanced texture and nutrient content—often preferred.

• Third Cut: Fine-stemmed and leafy but may have lower yield or be less consistent.

Depending on your needs, you may prioritize cut over cost, especially when performance or breeding animals are involved.

6. Identify Weeds and Foreign Materials

Always inspect for the presence of weeds, thorns, sticks, or foreign objects like plastic, twine, or wire. Not only can these reduce feed value, but they can also pose a safety hazard to your animals.

Things to Avoid:

• Milkweed, foxtail, or other toxic plants.

• Mud clumps, rocks, or dead animals.

• Excessive dust or hay treated with non-feed-safe chemicals.

A reputable seller offering alfalfa hay for sale should be transparent about weed management and hay handling practices.

7. Know the Moisture Content

Moisture plays a crucial role in hay quality. Hay that is too wet (>18%) can mold or spontaneously combust during storage, while overly dry hay may have lost essential nutrients.

Use a hay moisture meter or ask the supplier for a reading. Most good-quality alfalfa hay will have a moisture content between 12–16%.

8. Test for Nutritional Value

For large-scale operations or performance animals, consider sending a sample to a lab for a forage analysis. A proper nutrient analysis provides values for:

• Crude protein

• Acid detergent fiber (ADF)

• Neutral detergent fiber (NDF)

• Relative Feed Value (RFV)

• Total Digestible Nutrients (TDN)

These numbers help you balance rations, especially when mixed with other feeds.

9. Bale Type and Storage Format

Depending on your storage space and feeding method, you’ll need to choose between small square bales, large square bales, or round bales.

• Small Squares: Easy to handle, ideal for smaller operations.

• Large Squares: Better for bulk buyers; require equipment to move.

• Round Bales: Economical, but higher risk of spoilage if not stored properly.

Choose tight and uniform bales. Loose bales may not have been compressed properly, leading to quicker degradation.

10. Storage Conditions and Transportation

Ask the seller how the hay has been stored. Ideally, bales should be kept off the ground and under cover to avoid moisture absorption and sun bleaching. Good ventilation is also crucial to prevent mold.

Red Flags:

• Bales stored directly on soil.

• Uncovered outdoor stacks.

• Wet spots or signs of water damage on bales.

If you’re having hay delivered, confirm the transportation method. Ensure the delivery vehicle keeps the hay protected from rain or road debris.

11. Pricing and Quantity

When browsing listings of alfalfa hay for sale, the price per ton or per bale can vary depending on location, cut, quality, and season. Higher-quality hay with lab analysis and proper storage may cost more but can prevent long-term health problems in your livestock.

Tips for Budgeting:

• Buy in bulk if storage allows—this often leads to discounts.

• Lock in contracts with trusted suppliers during peak seasons.

• Compare multiple sellers and ask for recent test results or sample bales.

Remember, cheaper doesn’t always mean better when it comes to your animals’ nutrition.

12. Source from Reputable Suppliers

Not all hay is created—or sold—equally. Seek out reputable producers or feed stores that specialize in forage. Read reviews, ask for references, and visit the farm or storage site if possible.

Look for sellers who:

• Offer consistent quality year after year.

• Are transparent about cutting schedules, testing, and weed control.

• Handle hay with clean equipment and proper hygiene.

Finding alfalfa hay for sale from a trusted supplier makes a world of difference in quality, convenience, and peace of mind.

Final Thoughts

Buying alfalfa hay isn’t as simple as grabbing the first bale you see. Quality varies significantly based on factors like cut, maturity, moisture content, and storage. By using this comprehensive checklist, you can confidently evaluate any alfalfa hay for sale and choose the best product for your animals’ health and performance.

Whether you’re a seasoned farmer or a new hobbyist, the effort you put into sourcing high-quality hay will pay off in healthier animals, fewer vet visits, and better productivity. Keep this checklist handy, ask the right questions, and never settle for subpar forage.