Yellowed Alfalfa? Help

I just received a delivery of 10 bales of alfalfa. Most are yellowed on at least one side, like perhaps they were sitting in the sun? Being that the price of alfalfa is so much I do not want to have paid for a product that could harm or not provide the most nutrition to my horses. Any thoughts on this? Is it bad or okay?

It'll be fine. Hay tends to discolor on the end that is closest to the door. Happens all the time. Doesn't mean the hay is less nutritious or not any good.

It's perfectly fine. That's one of the bigger misconceptions about hay quality.

The sun does damage the quality of the hay as it "cooks" out the nutrients - especially nitrogen which is your main component in protein. You should never have hay exposed to sunlight if it can be avoided.

Now having said that. The hay is perfectly fine to be fed with no ill effects and imo there should be no complaints at all to the store at all on the basis of bleaching. You are probably talking about damage in loss of nutrient value to 1/4" on 18" thus less than 1% - not an issue to take up with teh feed store.

Now were it wet or moldy - that is different, but just sun bleach, it is a non issue.

Thanks guys!! I love this forum, I just found it yesterday. Everyone is so helpful and responses are very prompt :)