Alfalfa & Forage Industry
California - the nations leader in alfalfa hay
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In 2018, California hay growers harvested 980 thousand areas of hay which resulted in a production value of $769.8 million. Additionally in 2018, California hay was ranked as the state's 11th most valuable commodity.
Not only is hay a significant component of the California economy in and of itself, it is vital to the California dairy industry, valued at a $6.4 billion in annual retails sales in 2018. California dairies produce 18% of the country's milk, and in 2018, produced a total of 40.4 billion pounds of milk. |
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Photo Credit: Bowles Farming Company
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It is often misunderstood that alfalfa fields require a copious amount of water; however, it is actually due to alfalfa being grown year-round at around 500,000 acres that its water usage is high. As a perennial crop, alfalfa does not need to be replanted each year which ultimately increases water efficiency.
Though thought to, alfalfa does not require much more water than any other crop, like almonds, corn, or lettuce, once the leaves cover the soils surface. For a more in depth understanding of alfalfa's water usage, visit the linked article by UC Davis' Researcher Daniel H Putnam. |
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While alfalfa does require a high amount of water, alfalfa fields play an important role in providing significant wildlife habitats to various species including herbivores, animals of prey, beneficial insects, and endangered species. Alfalfa supplies habitats through its nesting coverage, feeding opportunities, and perennial growth pattern.
In addition to those species above ground, there is a considerable amount of biological activity occurring below the soils surface. Worms, insects, and other organisms call alfalfa fields their homes; rodents and gophers frequently make home in alfalfa fields, too. For more on alfalfa fields as habitats, visit UC Davis' environment articles linked below. |
Photo Credit: Bowles Farming Company
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Alfalfa is a crop rich in supplying soil improving characteristics like nitrogen fixing properties, taking up nitrate pollutants, preventing water and air pollution, and more. The deep-rootedness of alfalfa and year-round canopy help to prevent soil erosion and holds soil in place, preventing air pollution from the dust that occurs from tillage.
Alfalfa is capable of taking up nitrates that may leak from agricultural fields into the groundwater and does not need nitrogen fertilization since it fixes the nitrogen from the atmosphere. When rotated with other crops, alfalfa leaves the soil is excellent condition with good soil 'tilth' and residual 'free' nitrogen for crop production. To learn more about the environmental benefits of alfalfa fields, visit the linked article by UC Davis' Researcher Daniel H Putnam. |
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Interested in teaching students about California's alfalfa? Download the Alfalfa Fact Sheet from LearnAboutAg.org
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