When it comes to feeding livestock, particularly horses, rabbits, goats, and cattle, alfalfa is a staple forage known for its high protein content, digestible fiber, and essential vitamins and minerals. However, deciding between alfalfa cubes vs. pellets can be a challenge for animal owners who want to provide optimal nutrition while also considering ease of use, storage, and feeding efficiency.
Both forms have merits and drawbacks, but the right choice often depends on your specific needs, your animals’ requirements, and even your storage capabilities. In this post, we’ll compare them in detail to help you determine which format is best in terms of convenience and nutrition.
What Are Alfalfa Cubes and Pellets?
Before we dig into the comparison, let’s define each format:
- Alfalfa Cubesare made by coarsely chopping alfalfa hay and compressing it into large cubes, typically about 1.5 to 2 inches in diameter. They retain more of the natural form of the plant.
- Alfalfa Pelletsare made by grinding alfalfa into a fine meal and compressing it into small, uniform pellets, typically about the size of a pencil eraser.
Both products are typically made from sun-cured alfalfa, and depending on your feeding regimen, they can be used as partial or complete forage replacements.
Nutritional Comparison
Protein Content
Both cubes and pellets typically contain around 15-20% crude protein, depending on the quality of the raw alfalfa. However, because pellets are more processed, they may have a slightly more consistent protein content from batch to batch.
Winner: Tie
Fiber Levels
Cubes tend to retain longer fiber strands, which can be beneficial for stimulating chewing and salivation, especially for horses. This encourages proper digestion and reduces the risk of ulcers or colic.
Pellets, on the other hand, are more finely ground and may not provide the same dental benefits. For animals that require longer stem forage, pellets may not be a suitable complete replacement.
Winner: Alfalfa Cubes
Digestibility
Pellets are more finely ground, making them easier for some animals to digest. This can be especially helpful for young, senior, or ill animals with dental issues or reduced chewing ability.
Cubes may be harder for some animals to chew, especially if not soaked before feeding.
Winner: Alfalfa Pellets
Convenience Factors
Ease of Storage
Pellets are typically easier to store. They come in tightly packed bags, take up less space, and are less prone to spoilage when kept dry.
Cubes take up more space and may crumble more easily, producing waste if not handled carefully.
Winner: Alfalfa Pellets
Feeding and Handling
Pellets can be poured directly into feeders or mixed with grain. Their uniform shape ensures consistent feeding, which is particularly advantageous for automatic feeders or precise feeding regimens.
Cubes may need to be soaked to prevent choking, especially in older animals or those that eat quickly. This requires time and access to clean water.
Winner: Alfalfa Pellets
Waste and Mess
When dry, cubes can be broken or produce dust and fragments. If animals sort through their feed, cubes might result in more waste.
Pellets hold together well, and most animals consume them entirely, reducing feed waste.
Winner: Alfalfa Pellets
Suitability by Animal Type
Horses
Horses benefit from the longer fiber in alfalfa cubes, especially for digestive health. However, horses with dental problems or prone to choking might do better with soaked cubes or pellets.
Pellets are ideal for older horses or those with difficulty chewing. They’re also great for mixing with supplements.
Best Choice: Depends on age and dental condition
Rabbits and Small Animals
Pellets are a convenient way to deliver measured amounts of alfalfa to small animals. Cubes may be too large and tough for them to handle.
Best Choice: Alfalfa Pellets
Goats and Sheep
Both forms work well, but pellets offer better convenience and less waste in feeding troughs.
Best Choice: Alfalfa Pellets
Cattle
Cubes provide longer fiber, but pellets offer easy delivery in automated feeding systems.
Best Choice: Depends on operation size and feeding system
Cost Considerations
Cubes tend to be slightly more expensive due to less processing and bulkier transportation needs. Pellets, being more compact, often come at a lower cost per pound and may be more cost-efficient for large-scale operations.
Winner: Alfalfa Pellets
Customization and Supplementation
Pellets are often fortified with added vitamins or minerals and can be mixed easily with medications or supplements.
Cubes, while more natural, offer less flexibility in terms of customization without external mixing.
Winner: Alfalfa Pellets
Soaking and Choking Risk
One of the key considerations in the alfalfa cubes vs. pellets debate is the choking hazard. Dry cubes can pose a risk of choking if fed without proper soaking, especially to animals that bolt their food.
Pellets are generally safer when dry, but soaking them can still be beneficial for hydration or if administering medication.
Winner: Alfalfa Pellets (with caveat for soaking cubes when necessary)
Environmental and Transportation Impact
Pellets are more compact, leading to lower transportation costs and smaller storage footprints. This can also mean a lower environmental impact in terms of fuel used per pound transported.
Cubes require more space and handling care, which can add up in labor and fuel costs.
Winner: Alfalfa Pellets
Final Verdict: Which Format Wins?
So, when it comes down to alfalfa cubes vs. pellets, here’s a quick summary:
| Category | Winner |
| Protein Consistency | Tie |
| Fiber Content | Cubes |
| Digestibility | Pellets |
| Storage | Pellets |
| Handling | Pellets |
| Waste Reduction | Pellets |
| Animal Suitability | Depends on species |
| Cost Efficiency | Pellets |
| Supplement Flexibility | Pellets |
| Choke Risk | Pellets (if cubes are dry) |
| Transport Efficiency | Pellets |
Overall Winner: Alfalfa Pellets
While alfalfa cubes offer excellent fiber and resemble more natural forage, pellets tend to win out in terms of convenience, cost, and versatility. That said, each format has its place depending on the animal type and specific management practices.
Final Tips for Feeders
- Always introduce new feed slowly to avoid digestive upset.
- If feeding cubes, especially to older animals, consider soaking them.
- Monitor feed intake and waste to determine the most efficient format.
- For animals with specific needs, consult a veterinarian or animal nutritionist before switching feed.
Choosing the right alfalfa format isn’tjust about convenience—it’s about creating a feeding system that works best for you and the health of your animals. Whether you go with alfalfa cubes vs. pellets, understanding the differences allows you to make the most informed and beneficial choice.
