Alfalfa has considerable potential as a feedstock for production of
ethanol and other industrial materials because of its high biomass production, perennial nature,
ability to provide its own nitrogen fertilizer, and valuable co-products. Unlike other major field
crops like corn and soybeans, which are commonly refined for production of fuel and industrial
materials, refining of alfalfa remains underdeveloped. Instead,
alfalfa is primarily processed and used on-farm as livestock feed.
Although alfalfa remains tied with wheat as the third most
important field crop after corn and soybeans, declining dairy cow
numbers and shifts in feeding practices have caused a reduction in
alfalfa acreage over the last 25 years,. The end result has been an
increase in continuous row cropping of corn and soybeans with
little rotation to perennial forages. As a result, the risks of soil
erosion, contamination of surface and ground water by nitrate and
pesticides, and loss of valuable soil organic matter have increased.
Growing more alfalfa for biofuel production would contribute to
making the United States energy independent, improving our natural soil resource, reducing
greenhouse gas emissions, and protecting water quality.