Alfalfa is the best hay that most UAE farms buy. Think carefully before picking the cheapest bag each week. Its richness matters. Grading terms on a spec sheet matter. The country of origin is important, too. How much you feed also affects the results. Many buyers don’t realize this. This often becomes clear only when issues arise. This page breaks all three down in plain terms.
Export spec sheets grade alfalfa using two key numbers: Neutral Detergent Fiber (NDF) and Acid Detergent Fiber (ADF). Many buyers don’t fully understand these terms. However, they are often more important than just the protein percentage.
NDF shows the amount of cell wall in a plant. Lower NDF means animals can eat more and digest it quicker. This is because there’s less fibrous material that just passes through. Premium grade alfalfa generally has less than 40% NDF and under 30% ADF. Its crude protein ranges from 18% to 22%. Hay that grades below premium isn’t bad. It’s coarser and less digestible. This matters more for lactating dairy cows than for goats at maintenance level.
If a supplier gives you just the protein number, ask for the NDF and ADF figures too. Two bales with the same protein percentage can act very differently when an animal eats them.
UAE buyers often find alfalfa from the U.S., Egypt, Spain, and South Africa. The origin impacts consistency, but not just based on price.
US-sourced alfalfa usually has the best grading documentation. Suppliers often use it as a benchmark. However, it generally costs more because of freight distance. Egyptian alfalfa is popular and usually well-priced. Its quality differs more by farm than by the country’s reputation. Spanish alfalfa has a strong export history to the Gulf region. This is linked to significant UAE import deals over the years. It is often seen as a reliable mid-tier option. South African alfalfa availability changes with the seasons. So, supply consistency can be a bigger issue than hay quality.
Don’t assume one source is better. Always ask suppliers for the NDF, ADF, and protein numbers. A good harvest from any of these four sources can be better than a bad cut from a “premium” source.
Alfalfa is valuable for animals that need its high protein and calcium content. However, feeding it to the wrong animal welfare feed or in the wrong amount can lead to health issues.
Maintenance horses, non-lactating goats, and mature cattle don’t need extra protein. They also don’t need extra calcium. If they eat too much alfalfa, they may gain weight. They can also have digestive problems or bloat. The calcium-to-phosphorus ratio in alfalfa is higher than the ratio most animals need daily. This is okay for lactating or growing animals, which require more calcium. However, it can cause an imbalance in maintenance animals.
Most experienced farmers in the UAE treat alfalfa as a supplement. They use it with a grass hay base. However, this doesn’t apply to lactating, growing, or high-performance animals. Alfalfa isn’t the only forage.
Most UAE farms don’t use exclusive alfalfa. They mix it with Rhodes or Bermuda grass. This blend matches the animals’ needs.
Lactating dairy cattle or camels: Alfalfa can provide 40 to 60 percent of the forage ration. This is important because milk production requires essential protein and calcium.
Growing or young livestock: A blend of 25 to 40 percent alfalfa with a grass hay base supports growth. It also prevents excessive calcium intake early on.
Performance or working horses: Farms feeding performance horses often combine Alfalfa with Timothy Hay for additional fibre quality.
General maintenance animals For non-lactating goats, mature cattle, and light work horses, alfalfa works best as a 10–15% addition. It should not be a daily staple.
These ratios are just a guideline, not a strict rule. Animal size, activity level, and body condition can influence the ideal ratio. Therefore, adjust the diet slowly instead of making drastic changes. [INTERNAL LINK: Compare our Rhodes Grass Hay for blending]
We supply premium forage for camel farms across the UAE. This growth is a major reason why alfalfa demand regionally keeps rising.
Lactating camels need protein and energy like dairy cattle. Alfalfa is one of the few forages that can meet these needs without needing a lot of grain. If you run a camel dairy, alfalfa should be a larger portion of the diet. Unlike a general camel herd that isn’t producing milk.
Premium-grade usually means NDF under 40%, ADF under 30%, and crude protein between 18% and 22%. These factors show higher digestibility, not just a marketing label.
No single origin is always better. Quality relies more on the harvest and grading numbers than just the country. However, US alfalfa usually has the most reliable documentation.
Animals that don’t need extra protein and calcium can gain weight. They might also develop a calcium imbalance if alfalfa is too much of their diet.
It depends on the animal. Lactating or growing animals can handle 25 to 60 percent alfalfa in their mix. But maintenance-level animals do better with just 10 to 15 percent.
Yes, this is especially true for lactating dairy camels. Alfalfa has more protein and calcium. This helps boost milk production better than grass hay alone.
Alfalfa is much richer in protein and calcium. This makes it great for lactating, growing, or high-performance animals. Rhodes grass is great for daily feeding of livestock.
Contact us for current Alfalfa Hay pricing, available grades, and bulk delivery across the UAE.
Premium supplier of hay, grass, and animal feed in the UAE, serving horse stables, camel farms, sheep and goat farms, and livestock businesses with quality products, reliable supply, and fast delivery across all Emirates.
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