64 



CONTROL BULLETIN No. 94 



Vitamin A Content of Alfalfa Products Found in the Massachusetts 



Markets 



During the past season Vitamin A determinations were made on 22 samples 

 of alfalfa and alfalfa products by accepted laboratory methods. * These samples 

 were secured from retail dealers' stocks in various parts of the state. The most 

 striking thing about them is their extreme variation. If alfalfa is used primarily 

 on account of its Vitamin A potency, more attention should be paid to securing 

 a product which through proper curing and storage contains a liberal amount. 

 Many reputable manufacturers of prepared rations reject for their use alfalfa 

 which does not meet standards in Vitamin A content which they set up. It is 

 not unreasonable to expect that some of this rejected material finds its way into 

 retail channels where facilities are not at hand for checking its quality. 



In the table which follows, the source of the material is not indicated as it is 

 entirely possible to produce a high class product which through improper storage 

 after it leaves the manufacturer's plant would be subject to rapid deterioration. 

 All that is attempted is to show the wide variation of alfalfa products as they 

 are retailed locally. 



Vitamin A Content of Alfalfa Products 

 Found in the Massachusetts Markets 



Alfalfa (artificially dried) 

 Mount Hope Farm, Williamstown 



Second cutting 

 Fourth cutting 

 Fifth cutting 

 Cutting not known 



460.0 

 505.0 

 740.6 

 606.0 



*Tests made by Carl F. Dunker. graduate assistant in Nutrition Laboratory 



