Many types of fodder are used in livestock cultivation, and they differ significantly in nutritional content, physical form, and how they are produced. Among the comparisons that come up frequently is the difference between hay and lucerne. For people already working in this field, the distinction may be clear, but for those newer to livestock feeding, the terms are often used interchangeably in ways that cause confusion. This article breaks down exactly what each one is, how they differ, and which situations call for which feed type.
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What Is Hay?
Hay is a category of preserved forage. It refers to grasses, legumes, or other plants that have been cut at an optimal growth stage and dried in the field until their moisture content drops to a safe storage level, typically between 14% and 18%. At this moisture range, mold growth and spoilage are suppressed, and the hay can be stored for months without significant nutritional loss.
The most important thing to understand about hay is that it is a preservation method and a feed category, not a single plant species. Many different plants can be made into hay. The plant species used determines the nutritional profile of the hay produced.
Common materials used to produce hay include grasses such as timothy, orchard grass, and ryegrass, as well as agricultural residues such as rice straw, corn straw, and peanut stems and leaves. Leguminous plants such as lucerne (alfalfa), clover, and vetch are also widely made into hay and are called legume hay. You can read more about how hay is preserved and stored for long-term livestock feeding.
Characteristics of Good Hay for Livestock
Good quality hay has a consistent set of visual and physical indicators that breeders can use to evaluate a batch before feeding it to animals.
- Color is green to light green, not yellow, bleached, or brown.
- Smell is fresh and slightly sweet, not musty or fermented.
- Moisture content is between 14% and 18% at storage.
- Leaf retention is high, with minimal leaf shatter and intact stem structure.
- No visible mold, dust, or unusual heating when handled.
- Nutrient retention is approximately 80 to 85% of the fresh forage value when properly made.
Hay is bound into bales and stored in sheds or covered areas. Preservatives such as sodium chloride, propionic acid, or liquid ammonia are sometimes applied to extend shelf life, particularly in humid climates where field drying is difficult and moisture at baling is harder to control.
What Is Lucerne?
Lucerne (Medicago sativa), also known as alfalfa, is a specific leguminous plant species — not a category of hay. This distinction matters. Lucerne is a plant. Hay is a preservation method. When lucerne is cut and dried for storage, it becomes lucerne hay. But lucerne can also be grazed fresh, fed as haylage, or preserved as silage. The plant itself is the source; hay is just one of its possible forms.
Lucerne stands apart from grass hay primarily because of its exceptional protein and calcium content. As a legume, lucerne fixes atmospheric nitrogen through its root nodules and accumulates protein in its leaves at levels that grasses cannot match. This is why lucerne hay commands a higher price and is preferred for high-demand animals such as dairy cows and lactating animals. For a deeper look at how lucerne benefits cows specifically, including its risks and feeding guidelines, refer to our dedicated article.
Key Differences: Hay vs Lucerne Side by Side
| Comparison Point | Grass Hay (e.g. Timothy, Orchard) | Lucerne (Alfalfa) Hay |
|---|---|---|
| Plant type | Grass (Poaceae family) | Legume (Fabaceae family) |
| Crude protein | 8 to 12% | 18 to 22% |
| Crude fiber | High (30 to 35%) | Moderate (20 to 30%) |
| Calcium content | Low to moderate (0.3 to 0.5%) | High (1.2 to 1.8%) |
| Energy level | Moderate | Moderate to high |
| Palatability | Good | Very high — preferred by most livestock |
| Bloat risk | Low | Moderate to high if grazed fresh when wet |
| Nitrogen fixation | No | Yes — improves soil fertility |
| Best suited for | Maintenance feeding, horses, dry cows, mature cattle | Dairy cows, lactating animals, growing calves, high-performance livestock |
| Feed cost | Generally lower | Generally higher due to nutritional density |
Which Feed Type Is Better for Which Livestock?
The answer depends entirely on the production goal and the specific nutritional requirements of the animals being fed.
| Livestock Type | Recommended Choice | Reason |
|---|---|---|
| Lactating dairy cows | Lucerne hay | High protein and calcium support milk production and volume |
| Beef cattle (maintenance) | Grass hay | Sufficient fiber and energy for maintenance without excess protein cost |
| Beef cattle (finishing) | Mix of both | Lucerne adds protein for muscle gain; grass hay provides bulk fiber |
| Horses | Grass hay primarily | Horses need high fiber, low protein; excess lucerne increases risk of metabolic issues |
| Growing calves | Lucerne hay | High digestibility and protein support rapid growth |
| Dry (non-lactating) cows | Grass hay | Lower calcium requirement; excess lucerne calcium is not needed |
| Sheep and goats | Either, based on availability | Both are suitable; lucerne preferred for breeding and lactating stock |
“One of the most common questions we receive from buyers across different markets is whether they should invest in lucerne hay or stick to grass hay. The honest answer is that these are complementary feeds, not competing ones. Farms that understand how to combine both based on their animals’ production stage and seasonal availability consistently achieve better feed efficiency and lower cost per unit of output than those who rely on just one type.”
— Sue Su, Marketing Director of Silopak
Hay vs Lucerne vs Silage: Where Do They Fit?
Some breeders also ask how hay and lucerne compare to silage as an overall feed strategy. The three are not mutually exclusive. Each has a role depending on climate, farm infrastructure, and livestock type.
| Feed Form | Production Method | Moisture at Storage | Best Climate | Storage Duration |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grass Hay | Field drying | 14 to 18% | Dry, sunny | 6 to 12 months |
| Lucerne Hay | Field drying | 14 to 18% | Dry, sunny | 6 to 12 months |
| Grass Silage | Anaerobic fermentation | 60 to 75% | Wet or variable | 12 to 18 months |
| Lucerne Silage | Anaerobic fermentation | 55 to 70% | Any | 12 to 18 months |
For farms in regions where consistent sunny weather for field drying is unreliable, silage is often the more practical choice for both grass and lucerne. When lucerne is made into silage using quality LLDPE silage film, it also significantly reduces the bloat risk associated with feeding fresh or wet lucerne, since fermentation breaks down many of the soluble proteins responsible for frothy bloat in cattle.
The Bottom Line on Hay vs Lucerne
The difference between hay and lucerne comes down to a simple distinction: hay is a preservation category, while lucerne is a specific plant species. Lucerne can be made into hay, into silage, or fed fresh, but it is not the same as hay in general. Grass hay and lucerne hay are two different feed types with meaningfully different nutritional profiles and different ideal applications within a livestock feeding program.
Breeders should compare feed options based on the specific needs of their animals. The key parameters are crude protein, fiber level, calcium content, energy, palatability, and bloat risk. Knowing which type fits which animal at which production stage is the foundation of effective and cost-efficient feeding management. And regardless of whether hay or lucerne is chosen, proper storage and wrapping remain critical to preserving the nutritional value of whichever feed is selected. You can explore forage crop options more broadly to inform a complete seasonal feed plan for your herd.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Difference Between Hay and Lucerne
Q: Is lucerne the same as hay?
No. Lucerne is a specific leguminous plant species (Medicago sativa), also known as alfalfa. Hay is a preservation category that includes any forage that has been cut and field-dried for storage. When lucerne is processed in this way, the result is called lucerne hay or alfalfa hay. But lucerne can also be fed fresh, preserved as silage, or grazed as standing pasture. So while lucerne hay is a type of hay, lucerne itself is not the same thing as hay in general.
Q: Which has more protein, hay or lucerne?
Lucerne hay has significantly more crude protein than most grass hays. Lucerne hay typically contains 18 to 22% crude protein on a dry matter basis. Common grass hays such as timothy or orchard grass contain 8 to 12% crude protein. This protein difference is the primary reason lucerne is preferred for high-production dairy cows, lactating animals, and growing calves, where protein demand is highest.
Q: Can horses eat lucerne hay?
Yes, horses can eat lucerne hay, but it should be fed in moderation. Horses require a high-fiber, relatively low-protein diet because their digestive systems are adapted to continuous grazing on fibrous grasses. Lucerne hay’s high protein and calcium content makes it nutritionally rich but also potentially excessive if fed as the sole or primary forage. For horses in heavy work or lactating mares, lucerne hay in limited amounts alongside grass hay is appropriate. For horses in light work or maintenance, grass hay is generally the better primary forage.
Q: Why is lucerne more expensive than regular hay?
Lucerne hay commands a higher price because of its superior nutritional density, particularly its high crude protein and calcium content. It also requires more management to grow than grasses because it is a legume that needs correct soil pH, rhizobium inoculation, and careful cutting timing to maintain stand longevity and quality. The higher production cost, combined with the strong demand from dairy and high-performance livestock operations, keeps lucerne hay prices consistently above those of grass hay in most markets.
Q: What is the moisture content difference between good hay and silage?
Good hay is stored at a moisture content of 14 to 18%. Below 14%, hay becomes too brittle and difficult to handle with high leaf shatter losses. Above 20%, mold growth risk increases significantly. Silage, by contrast, is preserved at a much higher moisture content, typically between 55 and 75% depending on the crop type and storage system. Silage preservation relies on anaerobic fermentation rather than drying, which is why it requires an airtight environment rather than dry storage conditions.
Q: Should I feed grass hay or lucerne hay to my dairy cows?
For lactating dairy cows, lucerne hay is generally the superior choice because its high protein and calcium content directly supports milk production and helps maintain cow body condition during peak lactation. Many dairy operations feed a combination, using lucerne hay as the primary protein forage source and grass hay to contribute additional fiber that supports rumen function. The exact ratio depends on the milk yield targets, the other components in the ration, and the cost of each feed in your region. Consulting a livestock nutritionist for a balanced total mixed ration is the most reliable way to optimize the feed combination for your specific herd.
This article was last reviewed and updated by the Silopak Editorial Team on June 3, 2026. Our team periodically revisits published content to ensure accuracy, relevance, and alignment with current best practices in livestock feed management and silage preservation.
