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Nutritional benefits of dehydrated alfalfa for ruminant and monogastric animals

Written by Agricole Forte | Jun 28, 2024

When it comes to animal nutrition, as we have emphasized several times, few products can boast nutritional efficacy comparable to that of dehydrated alfalfa. This superfood is proven to be essential for ruminant and monogastric animal diets after its countless benefits have been discovered, ranging from improved animal health and productivity to a positive impact on the environment. Using a data-driven approach and innovations, we will explore how this forage, processed through low-temperature dehydration processes, significantly contributes to improved animal health, livestock productivity and positive environmental impact.

The nutritional revolution of dehydrated Alfalfa

Alfalfa has long been appreciated for its high content of protein, vitamins and essential minerals. Nevertheless, it is low-temperature dehydration, a groundbreaking process adopted by Agricole Forte with the Forte Method, that transforms this forage into a superior product, both in terms of quality and nutritional efficiency.

This process preserves the organoleptic and nutritional properties of alfalfa while minimizing losses caused by spontaneous oxidation and fermentation that can occur during storage.

Choosing dehydrated Alfalfa for ruminant and monogastric animals

The choice of dehydrated alfalfa for ruminant and monogastric animal feed is based on solid scientific and practical principles. First and foremost, its production process ensures the preservation of key nutrients such as beta-carotene, vitamin A, B vitamins, potassium, Omega-3, protein, minerals, xanthophylls, and sugars. These compounds are vital for maintaining good health and supporting animals' metabolic functions.

Low-temperature dehydration not only improves forage quality but also contributes to improved farm sustainability. 

By reducing reliance on fresh forages, which require more resources for their production and storage, dehydrated alfalfa is a greener and more sustainable option. This is particularly relevant in an era in which the environmental impact of farming and ranching is under constant scrutiny.

Furthermore, the pioneering approach to the production of dehydrated alfalfa taken by Agricole Forte ensures a high-quality final product, free of mycotoxins and aflatoxins, and free of external contaminants such as soil, stones, plastic and industrial residues. This not only improves the safety and quality of animal feed but also contributes to the general animal well-being, with obvious benefits in terms of health and production performance.

Impact on animal health and productivity

Dehydrated alfalfa stands out as an impactful element in animal nutrition, providing tangible benefits for both ruminant and monogastric animals, supported by medical and nutritional evidence. 

Benefits of dehydrated Alfalfa for ruminants

For ruminants, its high fiber concentration not only promotes more efficient digestion but also stimulates rumination, a process vital to their physiology; this mechanical process is critical to keeping the rumen healthy, thus preventing rumen acidosis, a potentially lethal condition caused by an excessively low pH in the animal. Alfalfa fiber also acts as a prebiotic, feeding beneficial microflora in the gastrointestinal tract and promoting a healthy digestive environment.

Protein-wise, dehydrated alfalfa offers an essential amino acid profile that effectively supports muscle growth and tissue repair. This is particularly valuable during periods of intensive growth and for dairy cows, where a direct correlation between high quality protein intake and increased milk production, both in terms of volume and protein and fat content, has been proven to significantly boost profitability for dairy farmers.

Benefits of dehydrated Alfalfa for monogastric animals

For monogastric animals, dehydrated alfalfa proves to be equally beneficial. The soluble fibers it contains, such as inulin, work by improving intestinal motility and helping promote more efficient assimilation of nutrients. This not only optimizes feed processing, but also helps to stabilize blood glucose levels, helping to prevent metabolic diseases. Furthermore, natural antioxidants such as beta-carotene and vitamin E, provide protection against oxidative stress and inflammation, strengthening the immune system and promoting overall well-being.

Supplementation in animal nutrition

Supplementing dehydrated alfalfa into farm animal diets is not just a matter of nutrition - it is an art that involves a thorough understanding of the unique needs of each species. 

Agricole Forte excels in this domain, delivering not only high-quality products but also expert advice to help farmers perfectly balance their animals' diets. This tailored approach ensures that both ruminant and monogastric animals obtain exactly what they need to thrive, making dehydrated alfalfa a core ingredient for rich, balanced diets.

This feeding strategy proves to be revolutionary in the breeding industry, providing countless benefits

Moreover, as mentioned, dehydrated alfalfa not only enhances animals' diets with a superior nutritional profile, but also positively impacts the environment through its sustainable production practices

Ultimately, the versatility of this superfood makes it an ideal option for a wide variety of animals, offering farmers a convenient solution to improve livestock health and productivity.

Agricole Forte is in the vanguard of this transformation, leading the industry with innovations respectful of the planet and its inhabitants. Through a combination of animal health benefits, productivity, and sustainability of its crops, Agricole Forte not only feeds animals but also delivers change, promoting forward-looking agriculture in all ways.