Castilla y León is one of the three communities among the largest forage producers in the country as a whole, along with Aragon and Catalonia. They cover most of the surface area of ​​a crop that 70% is destined for foreign markets, and that seeks to grow in the domestic market due to the advantages it brings to animal feed.

Forage is the basis of any herbivore’s diet. Its high fiber content is essential to maintain ruminal balance, which prevents digestive diseases in cattle such as acidosis. It also has a high nutritional value.

But, in addition, this type of food has other advantages. Among them, their low price and the small amount of water and little space they require, thus contributing to improving the profitability of farms. As they do not depend on climatic factors, they can occur in arid areas and on soils with difficulties caused by erosion.

Alfalfa is the most cultivated forage plant in Spain. According to the General Subdirectorate of Herbaceous and Industrial Crops, its price per ton has doubled in the last fifteen years.