Creating Connections over 20 Years
Bringing a fresh approach to animal feed solutions
At Star South, we pride ourselves on being a leading force in the South African fresh produce industry, renowned for our commitment to quality, service, and sustainability. With a history spanning over two decades, we have imported and exported a diverse variety of fresh fruits, from citrus to grapes and various exotic varieties. Our company has built a strong foundation on the pillars of best practices, strategic partnerships with growers, contract farming, and optimized logistics. Leveraging our state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated team, we have consistently met the international market’s demand for premium South African produce, earning a reputation for reliability and excellence.
In our continuous pursuit of growth and innovation, and by utilising the foundation and core principles upon which our business was built, the expansion into animal feed commodities was a natural progression. Initially focusing on alfalfa (lucerne), we will soon broaden our offerings to include other animal feed commodities. This strategic shift aims to replicate our success in the fresh produce sector by applying the same levels of urgency, accuracy, and quality of service to the animal feed industry. Our transition to a producer-exporter model, through partnerships with top-performing landowners and operators, signifies our evolution and commitment to assuming the primary risk in ensuring quality from pre-harvest to delivery.
As we embark on this journey, our established expertise in client-centricity, quality management, and efficient supply chain solutions positions us uniquely to elevate the animal feed industry, promising to offer unparalleled quality products both locally and in export markets.
At Star South, we pride ourselves on being a leading force in the South African fresh produce industry, renowned for our commitment to quality, service, and sustainability. With a history spanning over two decades, we have imported and exported a diverse variety of fresh fruits, from citrus to grapes and various exotic varieties. Our company has built a strong foundation on the pillars of best practices, strategic partnerships with growers, contract farming, and optimized logistics. Leveraging our state-of-the-art facilities and dedicated team, we have consistently met the international market’s demand for premium South African produce, earning a reputation for reliability and excellence.
In our continuous pursuit of growth and innovation, and by leveraging the foundation and core principles upon which our business was built, the expansion into animal feed commodities was a natural progression. Initially focusing on alfalfa (lucerne), we will soon broaden our offerings to include other animal feed commodities. This strategic shift aims to replicate our success in the fresh produce sector by applying the same levels of urgency, accuracy, and quality of service to the animal feed industry. Our transition to a producer-exporter model, through partnerships with top-performing landowners and operators, signifies our evolution and commitment to assuming the primary risk in ensuring quality from pre-harvest to delivery.
As we embark on this journey, our established expertise in client-centricity, quality management, and efficient supply chain solutions positions us uniquely to elevate the animal feed industry, promising to offer unparalleled quality products both locally and in export markets.
Alfalfa (Lucerne)
The Alfalfa Story
Alfalfa, also known as lucerne, is a perennial flowering plant belonging to the legume family Fabaceae. Widely cultivated as a crucial forage crop globally, it serves various purposes such as grazing, hay, silage, and acts as a green manure and cover crop. In North America, it goes by the name alfalfa, while in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand, it is commonly referred to as lucerne. Resembling clover, especially in its early stages, alfalfa features trifoliate leaves with round leaflets. As it matures, the leaves elongate. The plant produces small purple flowers grouped in clusters, followed by spiralled fruits containing 10–20 seeds. Native to warmer temperate climates, alfalfa has a long history as livestock fodder, dating back to the ancient Greeks and Romans.
Nutritional info
Sun-cured alfalfa, processed naturally to preserve more nutrients, is considered a densely nutritious type of hay. It is rich in a variety of vitamins, including high levels of vitamins A, D, E, K, U, C, B1, B2, B6, and B12, along with ample amounts of Niacin, Folic acid, Biotin, Pantothenic acid, and Inositol. In terms of mineral content, alfalfa contains significant amounts of copper, sodium, magnesium, iron, phosphorus, among others, as well as several trace minerals. Additionally, alfalfa boasts a very high protein content, making it an appealing feed choice highly recommended for dairy cows, goats, sheep, horses, and camels. It is also noted for its high fibre content. As an essential component in the feeding program of many dairy farms, alfalfa hay is valued for its high-quality protein, calcium, and other essential nutrients that promote milk production and overall cow health. Its digestibility and comprehensive nutritional profile make it a staple in the diets of dairy cattle, especially during lactation.
SUN CURED ALFALFA
HDP (HIGH DENSITY PRESS) BALES
- Size: 2.3m x 1.2m x 0.900m
- Weight per bale: 700kg – 800kg
6 STRING BALES
- Size: 2.3m x 1.2m x 0.700m
- Weight per bale: 400kg – 500kg
AVAILABILITY CALENDAR
WEEKS | |||||||||||
JAN | FEB | MAR | APR | MAY | JUN | JUL | AUG | SEP | OCT | NOV | DEC |
We serve four key groups across the diverse sector of fresh produce:
Fruit producers and retailers, both within South Africa and abroad. It’s a world of good produce, good people and good prices. An extensive, vast world which we navigate via committed one-on-one relationships, to offer personalised service and tailored solutions/shipments.
How can we help you?
Partner with us as we navigate the landscape together.