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Guidelines for Milk Cow Quality Alfalfa Hay (100% Dry Basis)

NOTICE THE PROTEIN CONTENT...
% Crude protein  >23

That is the minimum  desired level for dairy cow forage.  (The ">" means "greater than"  in the table)

First cut of alfalfa hay is very rich and high in protein.  The last cut (usually 4th or so) is lower in protein than the first, but not low in comparison to other edibles in the way of grasses, etc..  If you aren't accustomed to purchasing hay, take someone with you who is.   Unless you ASK the seller and know what you are looking at, you have no way of knowing whether or not alfalfa was in bloom, what cut it is, etc. Feed sparingly (but it is better for the tortoise not to feed alfalfa at all). 

The mini-bales of hay sold in the little plastic bags in the pet shops?  Do not feed those...you have no idea of knowing how old it is  (I've personally seen this type of "hay" sold in pet stores that has been warehoused more than a year) how it's been stored.  It is often "trash" hay that is purchased cheaply and sold into the small animal pet industry.

Alfalfa cubes also fall into this category.
One retailer advertises these levels:
Protein: 17% minimum
Moisture: 12% maximum
Fibre: 34% maximum

Some additional  information from a horse web site:

Pure alfalfa hay, as found in second cut hay, can have protein levels up to and exceeding 18% protein. This high level of protein is not required for most horses. Excess protein from both hay and grain feed sources will be broken down into carbohydrates and serve as additional source of energy. The nitrogen radical will be excreted in the urine. This will lead to increased urination and wetter bedding. It is uncommon for horses to have a kidney problem; however, those that do might have difficulty excreting the higher levels of nitrogen as found in alfalfa hay.

Fresh dutch clover in large amounts to grazing species of tortoises is similar to alfalfa.  Tortoises behave much  like a horse does when given a choice of grazes.  "Horses like clover and will select the highly palatable clovers from the pastures and hay. The white clovers have 1/3 less fiber content than other roughages such as bromegrass and alfalfa. White clover in its lush stage of growth could contain 22-25% crude protein on a dry matter basis."

White clover used to be a fairly acceptable item for grazing species of tortoises, but with current research on protein levels...it should not be fed it as a staple item in a grazing tortoise's diet.

Keep your herbivorous, grazing (grass loving) species of tortoises healthier by not offering alfalfa hay, alfalfa sprouts, or by adding alfalfa seed in their grazing mixes.  They'll be far healthier in the long run!-Annie