The leaves are the part of highest nutritive value but can be easily lost during the hay making process. Therefore the baling process and the growth of the crop will greatly affect the nutrient content and quality of the hay.

Lucerne is a good source of vitamin A, however the content of sun-cured leaves will be less than that of artificially dried lucerne. In addition, lucerne is a good source of vitamins K and E and also contains significant amounts of the water soluble vitamins riboflavin, pantothenic acid and nicotinic acid.