Have you looked much into the issue or just this infographic? This article is from 2022, but illustrates the point that it does not add much to the economy but takes an outsized share of the water. Emphasis is mine.

Recent reports conclude that growing alfalfa and other kinds of hay sucks up 68% of the 5.1 million acre-feet of water diverted every year in Utah. The resulting crop, though it supports some farmers and their communities, amounts to 0.2% of the state’s annual gross domestic product. That’s about what amusement parks generate across the state.

Why it’s time for Utah to buy out alfalfa farmers and let the water flow, Editorial Board writes

the reason why farmers are growing alfalfa in the desert is because the water rights are tied to how much water you use. if a farm uses less water, their water allowance will be reduced accordingly. this incentives them to waste water to make sure they maintain their preferential treatment.

Only legumes used in a cover crop MAY add nitrogen to the soil (temperature, inoculant, pH, etc has to be correct). If you harvest a crop from the field you are removing nitrogen.

For example alfalfa produces up to 500lbs of nitrogen per acre. It needs up to 600lbs/acre from full production. Alfalfa farmers for high production often add 10-20lbs of N after every cutting to make up for this.

The alfalfa is the main crop in those areas of Utah. The oats and barley are rotational crops. This is because alfalfa produces allopathic chemistry which inhibits the germination of its own seeds. So they plant oats or barley to allow the chemistry to break down in the soil for a year or two then back to alfalfa for 5-7 years.

You fast for Ramadan by abstaining from water during the day (among other things, obviously), so that would actually make more of a difference than what they’re currently doing.

Instructions unclear. Penis stuck in Gouda.