Alfalfa is cultivated worldwide as livestock feed, but also as a food source (sprouts). Its nitrogen-fixing ability enhances the productivity of agricultural soils. When grown on suitable soils, alfalfa is a prolific forage crop. Sowing takes place in spring on a well-prepared seedbed with a pH of about 6.8 to 7.5. Alfalfa is primarily grown as silage or green meal for pellets, but it can also be grazed. It has a lifespan of five to twelve years, depending on factors such as soil and climate. To make farmers less dependent on imported soy from overseas for cattle feeding, the cultivation of domestic alfalfa is being promoted. Compared to soybeans, it offers advantages in terms of protein content and is characterized by savings in nitrogen fertilizer as well as adaptability to dry locations.