Many people associate, and rightly so, alfalfa with a high quality feed that has considerable nutritional value, a legume that yields well, and that benefits the crop rotation. But, don't overlook the benefits of alfalfa to the environment, as it also has much value from a conservation perspective.

Alfalfa is recognized as an excellent ground cover. Alfalfa reduces soil erosion and also reduces runoff of phosphorus and pesticides into streams and lakes. Alfalfa is one of the best crops for trapping nitrogen before it gets into groundwater due to its deep root system which extends below the shallow root-absorption zone of most other crops.

Alfalfa provides opportunities for manure application several times during the year. This helps producers spread their workload and minimize storage facilities.

Since alfalfa is a perennial crop that lasts several years, only a portion of a grower's entire acreage needs to be seeded each spring. In many areas alfalfa can be seeded in the late summer after small grain crops, thus reducing the need to seed alfalfa into wet fields in the early spring. Absence of tillage during the life of the stand reduces the breakdown of soil structure compared to annually tilled row crops.

Alfalfa is an incredible home to many insects that are beneficial, and that prey on other insects, produce honey, and serve as a food source for birds. Alfalfa attracts many birds and small mammals to feed and nest because it provides ground cover for a long season.

The many attributes of alfalfa make it an important and amazing legume crop.

Adapted from Alfalfa for Profit, by the National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance