2015 Alfalfa Variety Trials

By Karla Hernandez

We are pleased to announce that the 2015 Alfalfa Variety Trials Report is now available! The objectives of the alfalfa variety trials for SDSU Extension were to develop unbiased research results for better estimates on which alfalfa varieties work better under specific environmental conditions. This work performed at the Northeast Research farm, near South Shore, and at a second location near Redfield, South Dakota will continue for several years as more locations are being included.
Establishment and Management

Alfalfa was planted near Redfield on April 23 and on May 21 at the Northeast Research Farm. Rate employed was 15 lbs of pure live seed (PLS) per acre. Plots for both locations were 5 feet wide and 20 feet long. Seven varieties were evaluated using three replicates for this research. A sickle-bar harvester was used to harvest this plot two times during the growing season. Fresh alfalfa samples were randomly obtained during harvest and dried to determine yield on a dry matter basis. Herbicides and insecticides were used as needed to successfully establish and manage alfalfa and protect it from insect pests as well as to control weeds. Weeds were hand-plucked every other week. Wet forage samples were weighted in the field to calculate biomass and then dried in a forced-air oven at 60oC for 72 hours and reweighed to determine total dry biomass.