Alfalfa Hay vs Grass Hay: Which Is Better for Cattle?

Alfalfa hay vs grass hay is a common comparison among cattle producers, livestock owners and farmers planning their forage purchases.

Both types of hay can play an important role in livestock feeding. However, they have different characteristics, and the better option depends on the animal being fed, the animal’s nutritional requirements and the rest of the diet.

Mayford Hay offers both legume and grass-based forage options, including Alfalfa Hay, Alfalfa/Grass Mix Hay, Brome Grass Hay, Coastal Bermuda Hay and Prairie/Meadow Grass Hay.

So which should you choose?

Let’s take a closer look.

What Is Alfalfa Hay?

Alfalfa is a legume forage known for its nutritional density.

Compared with many grass hays, properly harvested alfalfa can provide relatively high levels of protein and minerals.

This makes it particularly useful for animals with higher nutritional requirements.

However, alfalfa quality varies.

Harvest maturity, growing conditions, weather, curing, leaf retention and storage can all affect the final feeding value of the bale.

That means two loads of alfalfa may not have exactly the same nutritional profile.

What Is Grass Hay?

Grass hay is produced primarily from forage grasses.

Grass hays can provide useful fiber and energy and can be an economical component of many livestock feeding programs.

Mayford offers several grass and grass-based forage products, including Brome Grass Hay, Coastal Bermuda Hay and Prairie/Meadow Grass Hay.

Different grasses can have different nutritional characteristics, so the term “grass hay” alone does not tell you everything about a bale.

Alfalfa Hay vs Grass Hay: The Nutritional Difference

The biggest difference is generally the nutritional profile.

Alfalfa often provides greater protein and mineral concentrations than many grass hays.

Grass hay can provide useful fiber and can fit well into maintenance diets when the forage quality is appropriate.

This creates an important distinction:

The best hay depends on the animal’s requirements.

A growing calf and a mature cow do not necessarily need the same forage.

Is Alfalfa Better for Beef Cattle?

Alfalfa can be an excellent forage for beef cattle when its nutritional profile fits the feeding program.

Growing calves, replacement heifers and animals with higher nutritional requirements may benefit from higher-quality forage.

But a mature beef cow in a maintenance period may not need the same nutrient density.

If the cow’s nutritional requirements are already being met, paying substantially more for premium forage may not provide an equivalent economic return.

Is Grass Hay Better for Mature Cows?

Good-quality grass hay can be an effective option for mature cattle when it supplies the nutrients they need.

This can make grass hay an important part of economical cattle-feeding programs.

However, “grass hay” should never be treated as a guarantee of quality.

Maturity at harvest, weather conditions and storage all affect the forage.

What About Alfalfa/Grass Mix Hay?

A mixed forage can provide an alternative for producers who want characteristics associated with both alfalfa and grass.

Mayford’s catalog includes Alfalfa/Grass Mix Hay as one of its forage options.

For some operations, a mixed forage may fit the ration more naturally than feeding pure alfalfa or pure grass hay.

Coastal Bermuda Hay

Coastal Bermuda is another option for producers looking for grass hay.

Mayford’s current Coastal Bermuda Hay product page identifies it as cow hay and provides purchasing options.

For cattle producers, the key consideration remains whether the forage’s quality and nutritional characteristics match the requirements of the animals.

Which Is Better for Calves?

Young cattle are growing, so forage quality becomes particularly important.

Calves need adequate nutrients to support development, and the hay they receive should fit into the overall feeding program.

Alfalfa may be useful when additional protein and nutrient density are needed.

Good-quality grass hay can also have a role, depending on the complete diet.

There is therefore no universal answer to “What is the best hay for calves?”

The correct answer depends on the animal and the rest of the ration.

Don’t Judge Hay Only by Color

Bright green hay may look attractive, but appearance alone cannot determine nutritional value.

Producers should consider:

• Maturity
• Leafiness
• Smell
• Moisture
• Mold
• Plant species
• Storage
• Forage analysis

When buying significant quantities, a forage analysis can be especially useful.

Cost: Alfalfa vs Grass Hay

Price differences between alfalfa and grass hay vary according to location, season, quality, supply and demand.

Instead of comparing only the price per bale, consider the cost per unit of usable nutrition.

For example, if lower-quality forage requires additional supplementation, its apparent price advantage may disappear.

Likewise, premium forage may not be economical for animals whose nutritional requirements are already being met by less expensive hay.

Can You Feed Both?

Yes.

Many livestock operations use different forage types for different animal groups.

For example:

• Higher-quality forage for growing cattle
• Suitable grass hay for mature cows
• Mixed forage for intermediate nutritional requirements
• Specialized feeding programs for high-demand animals

The important thing is to match the forage to the animal.

Choosing Hay for Your Herd

Before choosing between alfalfa and grass hay, consider:

Animal type

Are you feeding calves, cows, bulls, replacement heifers or dairy cattle?

Production stage

Are the animals growing, pregnant, lactating or simply maintaining body condition?

Existing feed

What other forage, concentrates or supplements are being fed?

Forage quality

What does the hay analysis tell you?

Economics

What is the delivered cost per unit of usable nutrition?

Final Thoughts

So, alfalfa hay vs grass hay: which is better?

Neither is universally better.

Alfalfa can be an excellent choice when animals need higher-quality, nutrient-dense forage. Grass hay can be an economical and effective forage when its quality matches the nutritional requirements of the livestock.

An alfalfa/grass mixture provides another option.

Mayford Hay offers all three categories of forage through its hay catalog, alongside additional options such as oat, wheat, sorghum, millet and corn stalk hay.

Browse Mayford Hay’s available hay products and select the forage that best fits your operation.