Transalfals

Transalfals is an alfalfa dehydrating facility in Northeastern Spain. The plant dehydrates alfalfa hay brought in by area producers to the maximum moisture regulations provided by the European Union. Transalfals is part of a larger cooperative called Iberalfa, which maintains alfalfa-dehydrating plants in many European Union countries.

Transalfals is a relatively new business, with much of its success made possible by the provisions of the European Union's Common Agricultural Policy (CAP). The CAP subsidizes the dehydrating of alfalfa, and also requires a minimum moisture percentage in the alfalfa when taken from the field for producers to receive their alfalfa subsidy. These policies have made the dehydrating of alfalfa extremely important to producers in Spain, and subsidies have enabled Transalfals to expand their marketing worldwide.

Transalfals processes alfalfa mainly in two ways, bales and pellets. All alfalfa is dehydrated when received, which can be done in a matter of minutes. Then the alfalfa is cooled and turned into either bales or pellets. The baled alfalfa is stacked until shipped. The alfalfa must be processed to prepare for pelleting. After processing, the alfalfa mash is sent through pellet presses and then tested for quality and percent protein. Many of the pellets are exported and used in other countries to mix with their animal feed. Alfalfa pellets have become especially popular in the United States to feed horses.

Alfalfa is Loaded Here to Begin the Dehydrating Process

Two Students Make Their Way to the Top of the Alfalfa Pile

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