Utah State University

Alfalfa can be a high quality source of protein for dairy cow rations. “Perhaps it makes more sense to grow alfalfa this year than buy soybean meal,” said John Goeser, animal nutrition director at Rock River Lab and adjunct professor in the animal and dairy science department at the University of Wisconsin.

A great biodiversity in ecosystems exists in nature. “There’s no monoculture in nature — that’s man-made,” said Stephan van Vliet, nutrition scientist and metabolomics expert in the Center for Human Nutrition Studies at Utah State University.

The best fields to plant alfalfa are well-drained with deep soils. “Deep soils are where you get the best advantage from its deep root system,” said Kim Cassida, Michigan State University Extension forage and cover crop specialist.