Leguminous hay

Good  legume  hay  has  many  characteristics  that make it of special value to the dairy cattle. It has a higher percentage of digestible nutrients. It has more of  digestible proteins because of  the high  protein content. Furthermore, the proteins of  legumes are of superior quality, as compared to proteins from other  plants.  Well  cured  legume  hays are higher in vitamin contents. They are particularly rich in carotene  and  may  even  contain  vitamin  D.  They are also a rich  source of  vitamin  E. The legume hays are particularly rich in calcium and generally palatable. Among  various leguminous fodder crops lucerne, berseem, cowpea and soybean hays are considered first.