The Right Alfalfa
By Dennis Fitzke, Specialty Crop Manager

Hoegemeyer offers alfalfa that is bred to perform under your growing conditions in the Western Cornbelt, varieties that fight through the ravages of nature on your farm and allow you to take advantage of a range of
management techniques.

Think about your alfalfa growing needs, then read on to find the variety best suited to your operation.

Wheel Traffic Tolerance
Today's alfalfa production frequently utilizes heavy equipment, which creates wheel traffic that slows regrowth and shortens stand life. Several varieties have been developed under wheel traffic pressure and, as a result, have characteristics that help them stand up to traffic from big square balers, accumulators and the tractors that pull them. These include:

• Crowns that are broader and deeper set.

• Higher level of carbohydrates maintained in the roots, providing more energy for regrowth.

• More stem and bud activity for fast recovery and high stem count per crown.

• Increased crown rot resistance.

With these strengths, AmeriStand 403T has averaged 7.7% more yield than conventional varieties in over 300 wheel traffic tests. Traffic Tolerant varieties include: AmeriStand 403T, AmeriStand 405T RR and AmeriStand 407TQ.

Grazing and Manure Tolerance
Alfalfa is a crop that responds to a 28 to 35-day cutting schedule in sync with its growth cycle and prefers to grow in an environment where it is not trampled by livestock. Starting with the introduction of Alfagraze, varieties have been developed that withstand hoof treading, frequent cutting from grazing and smothering from manure. Whether in rotational or continuous grazing management, grazing tolerant varieties will persist longer.

For grazing, plant: AmeriStand 403T, AmeriStand 405T RR and AmeriStand 407TQ.

Potato Leafhopper Resistance
Have you observed mid-summer yellowing in your alfalfa stands? Potato leafhoppers are the likely culprits. These insects migrate from the gulf area in late spring and spread across the cornbelt, frequently visiting Iowa, eastern South Dakota, Nebraska and Kansas alfalfa fields during mid-summer.

• Potato leafhoppers are 1/8-inch, green, wedge-shaped insects that have a rapid, erratic movement pattern.

• When feeding, they suck sap from plants and damage leaves. The damage begins as a VÐshape at the tips and leads to a yellowing of the leaves.

• Severe infestation results in stunted plants and reductions in yield and quality.

• New seedlings are most susceptible.

• In established stands, the first cutting is usually OK. Damage tends to show in the second and third cuttings.

A competent field scouting program that leads to timely application of insecticides can provide effective control of potato leafhoppers.

If you prefer not to scout or spray, AmeriStand 404LH provides a very high level of potato leafhopper tolerance.

High Quality for More Milk
Dairy producers and cash alfalfa growers selling hay to dairies can benefit from alfalfa varieties that have been bred for improved quality. AmeriStand 407TQ is a very high yielding variety that was selected using In Vitro and NIR technologies. Tests show that AmeriStand 407TQ results in more milk per acre of alfalfa.

Roundup Ready Alfalfa
Unsurpassed weed control is now available! Roundup Ready alfalfa enables growers to apply labeled Monsanto Roundup agricultural herbicides from planting up to five days before each cutting. This opens the door for management practices such as no till, widens the window of time for establishing a pure alfalfa stand and builds a foundation for weed-free hay production.

• If you have been using herbicides on alfalfa, investing in the Roundup Ready system may cost more or perhaps less than what you are currently spending. Initial research indicates that Roundup Ready alfalfa has the potential to deliver more value in the establishment year as well as throughout the life of the stand.

• For those who have not used herbicides on alfalfa in the past, the Roundup Ready system can provide substantially more profit opportunity by helping you produce cleaner, higher quality forage so you get more alfalfa hay yield.

AmeriStand 405T RR offers the wheel traffic and durability traits found in AmeriStand 403T, plus it includes tolerance to Roundup herbicide.

Access to Alfalfa Expertise
Through Hoegemeyer, you have access to information from Forage Extension Specialists, Alfalfa Breeders, Management Intensive Grazers and Professional Hay Growers. Contact us anytime with your alfalfa questions and comments. For alfalfa variety information, visit www.therightseed.com or call 800-AG LINE 1 (800-245-4631) or send an Email to d.fitzke@hoegemeyer.com.