Sainfoin – a valuable pasture and haymaking grass capable of yielding from 12 to 50 centners per hectare depending on soil moisture; when grown together with other crops, its productivity can reach 135 centners. One kilogram of hay contains about 57.2 feeding units and 5.9 kg of digestible protein, making it an excellent source of protein for livestock.
The plant grows well on neutral and slightly acidic soils, is resistant to diseases and moisture. The vegetation season lasts up to 100 days; it is recommended to sow sainfoin in spring at temperatures not lower than +5 °C. For maximum yield, regular watering, timely fertilization, and weed removal are necessary. If needed, seeds can be treated with biostimulants or insecticides.
Sainfoin is widely used as fodder grass for cows, pigs, and sheep, as well as a cultural grass when sowing hayfields and pastures. Thanks to its high nutritional value, it helps stabilize soils prone to erosion and increases the resilience of agroecosystems to erosion.
