Lucerne Hay

Lucerne hay is made from lucerne (Medicago sativa), a perennial legume plant that is cut and baled multiple times per year from established stands. It is also known as alfalfa in North America and parts of Europe, though in Australia the name lucerne is universal.

It is Australia's premium hay type. No other commonly produced hay comes close to lucerne on protein content, which is why it is the go-to feed for livestock at peak nutritional demand, dairy cows in full production, performance horses, ewes pre-lambing, and weaner cattle or sheep that need protein to drive growth.

Lucerne is a deep-rooted perennial that, once established, can be cut multiple times per season for years. In irrigated systems it can produce four to eight cuts per year. In dryland systems it relies on rainfall and typically produces fewer cuts with more variable quality.

Browse hay and fodder listings on LocalAg to see current lucerne hay availability near you. If you cannot find what you need, post a free Wanted Ad and our team will find a verified supplier.

Yes. Lucerne hay is the gold standard for dairy cows and has been used in Australian dairy systems for generations.

High-producing dairy cows have significant protein and energy demands, particularly in early lactation when milk production peaks and body condition can drop rapidly. Lucerne's high crude protein, typically 18 to 25% CP, supports milk protein production, helps cows maintain body condition through lactation, and contributes to overall reproductive performance.

In total mixed ration (TMR) systems, lucerne is commonly used alongside cereal hays, silage, and grain. The lucerne provides the protein component while the cereal hay or silage provides bulk fibre. This combination gives nutritionists flexibility to hit specific protein and energy targets for different stages of lactation.

For dairy operations buying lucerne hay in volume, feed test data is essential. The difference between 18% CP and 24% CP lucerne is a meaningful difference in ration formulation and the amount you need to feed to meet production targets. Do not buy large volumes of lucerne hay for dairy use without a test result.

Yes, lucerne hay is excellent for horses in the right situations and fed in the right quantities.

It suits growing horses, pregnant and lactating mares, horses recovering from illness or injury, and horses in moderate to hard work with higher protein demands. The high protein content supports muscle development, coat condition, and overall body condition in horses that are working hard or have elevated nutritional needs.

The high calcium content in lucerne is worth noting. Lucerne is one of the highest-calcium feeds available and the calcium to phosphorus ratio is wide. For most horses this is not a problem when lucerne is part of a mixed diet that includes cereal hay and appropriate grazing. However, for horses fed very high lucerne inclusions over a long period, monitoring the calcium to phosphorus ratio is worth doing, particularly for growing horses where bone development is a consideration.

Many horse owners feed lucerne as a partial component of the diet rather than the sole hay. A common approach is to feed a mix of oaten hay and lucerne, which gives the horse good fibre and roughage from the oaten hay alongside the protein and calcium boost from the lucerne.

This comes up regularly and the honest answer is that it depends on the horse and how much they are being fed.

Lucerne is not toxic to horses and will not cause problems in normal feeding quantities for horses that are working, growing, or have elevated nutritional needs. The concern about feeding too much lucerne centres on a few specific situations.

High-protein intake for horses in light work. Horses that are spelling, in very light work, or easy keepers do not need the protein levels that lucerne provides in large quantities. Excess protein is processed by the kidneys and excreted as ammonia, which means increased water consumption and urine output. It is not harmful but it is inefficient and you are paying for protein the horse does not need.

Weight gain. Lucerne is energy-dense as well as high in protein. For horses prone to weight gain, feeding large quantities of lucerne ad lib can contribute to obesity over time.

Horses with metabolic conditions. For horses with laminitis, insulin resistance, or equine metabolic syndrome, lucerne's sugar and starch content is not the primary concern (it is moderate in NSC compared to grain) but the energy density means it should be fed in controlled quantities. Teff hay is a safer primary hay for these horses.

Calcium imbalance. Very high lucerne diets over long periods can create a very wide calcium to phosphorus ratio. For most horses in a mixed feeding system this is self-correcting, but it is worth being aware of.

The practical guidance: lucerne fed as part of a mixed hay ration, rather than as the sole feed, avoids most of these concerns for the majority of horses.

Yes, lucerne hay is highly effective for beef cattle at key production stages, though it is not always the most cost-effective choice for maintenance feeding.

For beef cattle on maintenance, cereal hays or pasture hay are usually the more economical option. Lucerne is more expensive per tonne and the high protein content is more than most maintenance-fed cattle need.

For cows pre-joining and flushing, feeding lucerne in the weeks before joining improves ovulation rates and conception by boosting body condition and protein intake. Even a short-term supplement of lucerne alongside a base hay makes a measurable difference.

For cows in late pregnancy and early lactation, lucerne supports calf birth weight, colostrum quality, and cow recovery post-calving.

For weaner cattle, lucerne drives growth rates significantly compared to cereal hay alone. Weaners have high protein requirements relative to their body weight and lucerne meets those requirements better than any other commonly available hay.

For backgrounding cattle being prepared for the feedlot, lucerne can accelerate condition gain and improve frame development before going onto grain.

The practical approach for most beef operations is to keep cereal or pasture hay as the base maintenance feed and use lucerne strategically at the production stages where the protein investment pays off most clearly.

Yes, and for sheep producers, lucerne hay is one of the most valuable tools available at critical production stages.

For dry ewes and wethers on maintenance, lucerne is generally more than what is needed nutritionally and the cost per tonne makes it hard to justify for bulk maintenance feeding. Cereal hays or pasture hay are usually the better choice here.

For ewes pre-lambing, this is where lucerne earns its keep. Feeding lucerne from about four to six weeks before lambing lifts ewe body condition, supports optimal lamb birth weight, and improves colostrum quality and milk production in early lactation. The protein boost at this stage has a direct and measurable impact on lamb survival rates.

For weaner lambs, lucerne is the best single hay you can feed to drive growth. Weaners have high protein demands relative to body weight and lucerne meets those demands without needing significant additional supplementation.

For rams pre-joining, a short lucerne feeding period lifts body condition and reproductive performance.

Lucerne sits in its own category compared to the main alternative hay types. Here is how it compares across the key factors.

Versus cereal hays (oaten, wheaten, barley): Lucerne has roughly double the protein of a typical cereal hay. Cereal hays are higher in fibre and lower in cost. Cereal hays suit maintenance feeding and bulk roughage. Lucerne suits production feeding where protein drives the outcome. Many producers use both in combination.

Versus vetch hay: Vetch hay is the closest alternative to lucerne in the legume category. Vetch typically runs 16 to 22% CP, which overlaps with the lower end of lucerne. Vetch is usually cheaper per tonne than lucerne and is a genuine alternative for sheep and cattle where the highest protein levels are not essential.

For horses, lucerne is generally preferred because of its palatability and established track record.

Versus pasture hay: Pasture hay is more variable in composition and quality. A good mixed pasture hay with legume content can be a cost-effective feed, but it will not match well-made lucerne on protein or consistency.

Versus grass hay and rhodes grass hay: These are primarily bulk roughage and energy feeds, not protein feeds. Lucerne and grass hays serve different nutritional roles in a feeding program.

For a full comparison of the protein hay options, read Protein Hays and How They Compare.

Lucerne is a perennial plant that regrows after each cut and can be harvested multiple times per season. The cut number refers to which harvest from the plant during that growing season the hay came from.

1st cut is the first harvest of the season, typically coming off in spring after winter dormancy. First-cut lucerne tends to be stemmy with lower leaf-to-stem ratio because the plant puts on rapid vegetative growth early in the season. Protein is typically lower than later cuts and the hay is coarser. It is often the cheapest lucerne hay per tonne.

2nd cut comes after the first regrowth, usually in late spring to early summer. Second-cut lucerne is generally better balanced between leaf and stem, has higher protein than first cut, and is the starting point for what most buyers consider standard quality lucerne hay.

3rd cut and beyond (which may be called 3rd, 4th, 5th cut in irrigated systems that take multiple cuts) tend to have the best leaf retention, highest protein, and finest stem. These cuts are the premium end of the lucerne hay market and are what high-performance horse operations and dairy producers typically seek out. They are also the most expensive.

In practical terms, when comparing listings, a 3rd or 4th cut irrigated lucerne hay at 22% CP is a fundamentally different product to a 1st cut dryland lucerne at 15% CP, even though both are listed as lucerne hay. Always check the feed test result and ask the seller which cut it is.

Irrigated lucerne hay is produced from lucerne stands that are watered through an irrigation system rather than relying solely on rainfall. This distinction matters because it has a direct impact on yield, consistency, and quality.

With irrigation, lucerne producers can control the timing and volume of water available to the crop. This allows for more frequent cuts throughout the year, more consistent growing conditions across seasons, and better management of the plant at the optimal cutting stage. The result is typically higher protein content, better leaf retention, and more consistent quality between loads.

Irrigated lucerne is predominantly produced in regions with reliable water access including the Riverina and Murray-Darling Basin areas of NSW and Victoria, the riverland regions of South Australia, and irrigated areas of Queensland. These regions are the source of much of Australia's premium lucerne hay supply.

Irrigated lucerne is generally more expensive than dryland lucerne because of the input costs associated with water and irrigation infrastructure, but buyers who need consistent high-protein hay for dairy or high-performance horses typically consider the premium worthwhile.

The practical differences come down to consistency, protein levels, and price.

Dryland lucerne relies on rainfall to grow. In good seasons with adequate spring and summer rainfall, dryland lucerne can produce good quality hay with solid protein levels. In dry seasons, the plant becomes stressed, cuts are less frequent, the plant matures faster between cuts, and quality drops. Dryland lucerne is more variable year to year and season to season.

Irrigated lucerne is watered on schedule. Cuts are taken at the optimal growth stage regardless of rainfall, the plant is managed consistently, and quality is more predictable between loads and seasons. Irrigated lucerne producers can typically guarantee protein ranges and cut numbers in a way that dryland producers cannot.

Protein: Irrigated lucerne generally runs higher and more consistently in crude protein, often 20 to 25% CP. Dryland lucerne in a good year can match this, but in a poor season or a late-cut load it may sit at 15 to 18% CP.

Price: Dryland lucerne is typically cheaper per tonne, which makes it a reasonable choice for buyers where some quality variability is acceptable. Irrigated lucerne commands a premium that is generally justified for buyers where consistent high protein is essential, particularly in dairy TMR rations and high-performance horse programs.

Practical advice: When comparing listings, always check whether the hay is dryland or irrigated and look at the feed test result for the specific load rather than assuming quality based on the label.

This depends on the horse's size, workload, condition, and what else they are being fed alongside the lucerne.

As a general starting point, horses need around 1.5 to 2% of their body weight in total dry matter per day from all feed sources. For a 500 kg horse, that is roughly 7.5 to 10 kg of dry matter per day.

If lucerne is being fed as the sole hay, those quantities apply directly. However, many horse owners feed lucerne as part of a mixed ration alongside oaten hay or wheaten hay rather than as the only hay source. In that case, a common approach is to feed roughly 20 to 40% of the total hay ration as lucerne and the remainder as a cereal hay. For a 500 kg horse on 8 to 9 kg of hay per day, that might be 2 to 3 kg of lucerne and 6 to 7 kg of oaten hay.

For horses in hard work or with high protein demands, a larger lucerne proportion is reasonable.

For horses in light work, spelling, or prone to weight gain, keep lucerne to a smaller proportion of the ration and rely more on oaten or wheaten hay for bulk.

For horses with metabolic conditions such as insulin resistance or laminitis, teff hay is the recommended primary hay and lucerne should be limited.

The best approach is to monitor body condition regularly and adjust quantities based on what you see. Weigh the hay rather than estimating by the flake, as bale density varies considerably.

Browse lucerne hay listings on LocalAg and use the location filter to search within a practical distance from your property. Every listing shows bale type, cut number where provided, quantity available, ex-farm price, and an indicative delivered price so you can compare true cost before you contact a seller. All sellers are verified and all transactions go through CheckVault escrow.

If there are no lucerne hay listings in your area right now, post a Wanted Ad on LocalAg. Tell us what you need including quantity, bale type, whether you need a specific cut, and any protein or feed test requirements, and our team will find a verified supplier. We regularly connect buyers with irrigated lucerne producers in the Riverina and Murray-Darling regions who can arrange freight across most of Australia.

Feed test data first. Lucerne varies more in quality than most people realise. Always ask for a Feed Central NIR feed test result showing crude protein, metabolisable energy, fibre, and moisture. On LocalAg, verified sellers can attach these results directly to their listing.

Check the leaf-to-stem ratio. Good lucerne hay should have abundant fine green leaves relative to stem. Leaf is where most of the protein lives. A stemmy load with low leaf content is usually either first cut, cut late, or has been weathered and handled roughly after baling. Avoid anything with significant leaf shatter where the leaves have fallen off and you are left with bare stems.

Colour. Good lucerne should be green to bright green. Yellow or brown colouring indicates sun bleaching, rain damage, or extended storage. Some fading in older-season hay is normal but heavy discolouration correlates with protein and quality loss.

Smell. Fresh lucerne hay has a distinctive sweet, clean, grassy smell. A musty smell indicates mould. An ammonia smell indicates heating. Both reduce palatability and can cause health issues in livestock.

Moisture. Lucerne baled at high moisture is a heating risk. Lucerne hay sheds can get dangerously hot from improperly cured loads. Confirm moisture content before buying large volumes.

Ask about cut and irrigation status. As discussed above, these factors significantly affect quality. A reputable seller will be able to tell you which cut it is and whether the crop was irrigated or dryland.

The price premium for lucerne reflects genuine differences in production cost, input intensity, and the nutritional value it delivers.

Input costs are higher. Lucerne requires significant establishment costs including seed, herbicide for weed control at establishment, and often lime and fertiliser to prepare the soil correctly. Establishment costs are amortised over several years of production but they are real.

Irrigation adds cost. Premium irrigated lucerne requires water access and irrigation infrastructure, which adds ongoing operating cost per tonne that cereal hay producers do not face.

More cuts, more handling. Lucerne is cut multiple times per season, which means more machinery time, more labour, and more risk of weather events affecting curing between cuts. Each cut requires the same investment of time and resources as a single cereal hay harvest.

Slower regrowth between cuts. Lucerne needs adequate recovery time between cuts to rebuild root reserves. Cutting too early or too frequently weakens the stand. This limits how hard producers can push the crop and means yield per cut is managed conservatively in well-run operations.

The nutritional premium. Lucerne delivers roughly double the protein of a typical cereal hay. When you buy lucerne at twice the price of oaten hay per tonne and get double the protein per kilogram, the cost per unit of protein is actually comparable. For producers feeding lucerne at critical production stages, the return on investment from improved lamb survival rates, milk production, or weaner growth rates generally justifies the cost.

Australia's premium lucerne hay comes predominantly from irrigated production areas with reliable water access and the right soil and climate conditions.

Riverina, NSW is arguably Australia's most recognised lucerne hay producing region. The flat, well-drained soils and access to Murray-Darling irrigation water in areas like Hay, Narrandera, Leeton, Griffith, and Deniliquin produce large volumes of consistently high-quality irrigated lucerne. Much of Australia's export lucerne hay comes from this region.

Murray Valley, Victoria and NSW covering areas along the Murray River including Deniliquin, Echuca, and Kerang produces significant volumes of irrigated lucerne in both Victoria and NSW. Similar conditions to the Riverina.

South Australian Riverland and southeast SA produce good quality lucerne hay from irrigation and higher rainfall zones respectively. The southeast of SA also benefits from reliable rainfall that supports dryland lucerne production.

Southern and central Queensland produces dryland and some irrigated lucerne in areas like the Darling Downs. Quality is good in strong rainfall seasons.

WA Wheatbelt and southwest produces dryland lucerne in the higher-rainfall zones of the southwest. Quality varies with season.

For buyers who need consistently high-protein irrigated lucerne, the Riverina and Murray Valley are typically the most reliable source regions. For buyers in northern states, Queensland and northern NSW dryland lucerne is often more freight-practical even if the protein range is slightly lower.