Trifolium alexandrinum vs Medicago sativa
Both are top dairy legumes — but one is an annual multi-cut crop and the other a long-term perennial stand. Here's how to choose for your dairy market.
Quick take: berseem for cool-season annual fodder · alfalfa for multi-year hay
Berseem is a cool-season annual giving soft, high-protein multi-cut fodder (~20%) — ideal where farmers want fresh winter green fodder and to rotate fields each year. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is a perennial that delivers high-protein hay over several years from one establishment. Many dairy markets use both; Kohenoor supplies berseem and, via our sister site, dedicated alfalfa seed.
| Trait | Berseem clover | Alfalfa |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical | T. alexandrinum | Medicago sativa |
| Lifecycle | Annual | Perennial (multi-year) |
| Protein | ~20% | ~18–22% |
| Waterlogging | Prefers well-drained | Low tolerance |
| Establishment | Each season | Once, lasts years |
| Best for | Cool-season green fodder | Long-term hay stands |
Berseem suits markets wanting fresh, soft, palatable winter fodder and annual flexibility to rotate land — strong across Egypt, the Gulf and South Asia.
Alfalfa suits buyers establishing multi-year hay stands and large baled-hay supply chains.
For dairy importers, stocking berseem covers the cool-season annual demand; pair it with alfalfa for perennial hay. Explore berseem seed and dedicated alfalfa seed at alfalfaseeds.org.
Send your species, quantity and destination port — we reply with a live FOB/CNF quote and the current-crop Certificate of Analysis.