The Virginia Alfalfa Variety Report: A Five-year Summary (1999 - 2003)

Authors: S. R. Smith, Extension Specialist, Virginia Tech; C. Teutsch, Forage Research, Virginia Tech; P. R. Peterson, Extension Specialist, Univ. of Minnesota; D. E. Starner, Superintendent, NPAREC; W. B. Wilkinson, Research Associate, SPAREC; D. R. Dixon, Senior Agriculture Manager, NPAREC; S. J. Hutton, Research Specialist, Virginia Tech; G. B. Benson, Research Associate, Virginia Tech; and G. Johnson, Virginia State Agronomist, USDA-NRCS

Publication Number 418-018, Revised March 2005

Alfalfa is capable of producing high yields of high quality forage for hay, haylage, and pasture. However, this performance potential can only be realized when site selection and management are appropriate. Alfalfa requires deep, well-drained soils with a pH >6.5 and high levels of phosphorus (P) and potassium (K) in order to persist and yield to its potential. Defoliation and pest management are also key to alfalfa performance.

There are several hundred alfalfa varieties on the market, and many do well in Virginia. This report is a summary of alfalfa variety trials performed at Virginia Tech Agricultural Research and Extension Centers (ARECs) from 1999 through 2003. It includes a trial seeded at the Southern Piedmont AREC (SPAREC) at Blackstone in June 2000 and harvested for 3-1/2 years (2000-2003), (Tables 7-10). It also includes a trial established at the Northern Piedmont AREC (NPAREC) at Orange in September 1998 and harvested for five years (1999-2003; Tables 2-6). Another trial was seeded at the Kentland Farm at Whitethorne in September 1999, (Table 11), but yields only are only included for 2000. Severe deer damage followed by stand winterkill resulted in this trial being discontinued. The trials are conducted at multiple locations within the state in order to provide a range of environments. The tables that follow include summary data of individual harvests within years and total season yields across years.

Varieties were submitted by or specifically requested of cooperating seed companies. Entries were planted in four replications of a randomized complete block design at each location. Individual plot size averaged 5' X 15'. All data are reported on a 100 percent dry matter basis; actual hay yields would be 10 percent to 15 percent higher. The variety trials are managed at high fertility levels. Phosphorus and potassium were maintained at high levels, pH was maintained between 6.5 and 7.0, and boron was applied as required. Weeds and insects were controlled with appropriate pesticides.

All entries in a trial at a location were harvested on the same dates, but harvest dates varied among locations and years. The goal was to harvest five times per year beginning around May 1 and at the early bloom stage thereafter. At each harvest, plots were cut to a 3" residual height with either a sickle or flail harvester.

Statistical analyses were performed for individual harvests within years and for total season yields across years. These analyses determine whether numerical differences were just random effects or indeed a "true" difference in performance among varieties. The term "LSD (0.05)" appears at the bottom of each table with an accompanying value under each column of data. An LSD (0.05) is the amount by which two varieties' yields in the same column must differ in order to be considered statistically, or meaningfully, different. If "NS" appears instead of a value, it means the averages within the column are not statistically, or meaningfully, different.

Alfalfa is relatively drought and heat tolerant. Nevertheless, precipitation has a profound effect on forage yield and persistence. Monthly average precipitation data are compared to long-term averages for each location during which the trials were conducted (Figure 1).

At Orange, the 1999 growing season was very dry throughout, except for above average rainfall during September. Rainfall was below average during each of 2000, 2001, and 2002 with exceptions during certain months and normal to above normal conditions October through December 2002. Rainfall was above average in 2003 (Figure 1).

At Blackstone, rainfall during the 2000 growing season was close to average with April above and October below. Rainfall was below average in 2001, with the exceptions of March and June. Severe drought continued throughout much of 2002 with normal to above normal conditions returning in the fall. Rainfall was above average in 2003 with frequent heavy rains and waterlogged soils in June and early July. Severe stand losses occurred during this period, likely due to root and crown diseases under these high-moisture conditions.

When using this publication to select an alfalfa variety, it is important to 1) prioritize the relative importance of yield, persistence, and quality for the intended use of the forage and 2) understand the context within which these trials were conducted. Forage quality and palatability were not determined in our trials. These data reflect the yield and persistence of varieties under optimum management. Varieties that persisted well over several years in these trials may not necessarily persist well under grazing, poor fertility, or a broad range of soil types. Disease resistance is related to persistence. All diseases listed in Table 1 occur in Virginia. Varieties with high resistance to all five diseases would be expected to have the broadest range of adaptation. However, for some forage growers, persistence may not be as important as short-term yield, quality, and palatability.

Consult your local Extension agent for more information about forage varieties and management. Go to the North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference website (www.naaic.org) for links to other alfalfa variety testing programs across the United States. Pennsylvania and Kentucky are the two states in proximity to Virginia that have extensive variety testing programs.

Acknowledgements: The researchers express their appreciation to the participating seed companies for their financial support of these trials. They are also indebted to Dean Andy Swiger, Associate Dean Skip Jubb, Dr. Jack Hall, Dr. Steve Hodges, Dr. Dale Wolf, and the Virginia Forage and Grassland Council for provision of funds to purchase a forage harvester used for these trials. Thanks, too, to all AREC employees, and the undergraduate student workers who provided valuable assistance in conducting the trials.

Table 1. Virginia Alfalfa Forage Variety Trials - Virginia Tech
Variety Company Disease Resistance Blackstone Orange Wt
  Bw Vw PRR Fw 00 01 02 03 99 00 01 02 03 00
53H81 Pioneer Hi-Bred Int. HR HR R HR X X X X       X
53Q60 Pioneer Hi-Bred Int. HR R HR R X X X X X X X X X X
5454 Pioneer Hi-Bred Int. R MR HR HR      X X X X X  
54H69 Pioneer Hi-Bred Int. R R HR HR      X X X X X  
54V54 Pioneer Hi-Bred Int. HR HR HR HR X X X X       X
Abilene + Z ABI Alfalfa HR HR HR HR          X
ABT 350 AgriBioTech, Inc HR HR HR HR     X X X X X X
ABT 400 SCL AgriBioTech, Inc HR HR HR HR      X X X X X X
Affinity + Z ABI Alfalfa HR HR HR HR     X X X X X X
Alfagraze Americafs Alfalfa R - LR R X X X X      X
Amerigraze 401 + Z ABI Alfalfa HR HR HR HR X X X X X X X X X X
Choice FFR Cooperative HR HR HR R X X X X X X X X X X
Cimarron 3i Great Plains Research HR R R HR      X X X X X  
Cimarron SR Great Plains Research HR HR HR HR      X X X X X  
Clean Sweep 1000 FFR Cooperative HR R HR HR      X X X X X  
Dagger + EV Agripro Seeds HR HR HR HR      X X X X X X
DK133 Monsanto HR R HR HR      X X X X X X
DK140 Monsanto HR R HR HR      X X X X X X
DK141 Monsanto HR HR HR HR      X X X X X X
Feast + EV Agripro Seeds HR HR HR HR      X X X X X X
Haygrazer Great Plains Research HR R R HR X X X X       X
Interceptor Agripro Seeds HR R HR HR      X X X X X  
Pawnee Midwest Seed Genetics HR HR HR HR      X X X X X X
Persist Doeblerfs PA Hybrids HR R HR HR X X X X X X X X X X
Precedent Doeblerfs PA Hybrids HR R HR R           
Prolific Doeblerfs PA Hybrids HR R HR HR X X X X       
Seedway 512 Seedway HR R HR HR X X X X      X
Spur Seedway HR R HR HR      X X X X X X
Stellar ChemGro Seeds HR HR HR HR     X X X X X  
Trialfalon ChemGro Seeds HR R HR HR X X X X       X
Triple Crown FFR Cooperative HR R HR HR X X X X X X X X X X
WL 323 W-L Research HR R HR HR      X X X X X  
WL 324 W-L Research HR R HR HR     X X X X X  
WL 325 HQ W-L Research HR R HR HR     X X X X X X
WL 326 GZ W-L Research HR HR HR HR     X X X X X  
WL 327 W-L Research HR R HR HR           X
*Wt = Whitethorne
Bw = Bacterial wilt, Vw = Verticillium wilt, Fw = Fusarium wilt, An Anthracnose, and PRR = Phytophthora root rot.
Disease Resistance Ratings:
% Resistant PlantsResistance class
0-5%Susceptible (S)
6-14%Low Resistance (LR)
15-30%Moderate Resistance (MR)
31-50%Resistance (R)
>50%High Resistance (HR)

Table 2. 1999 Alfalfa Variety Yields - Northern Piedmont AREC, Orange, Va., Sept. 1998 Seeding
Variety Company 2-Jun 1-Nov Total
 DM Yield (ton/acre)    
Dagger + EV AgriPro 0.30 0.67 0.97
Spur Seedway 0.26 0.71 0.96
Persist Doeblerfs 0.22 0.74 0.95
Cimarron 3-i Great Plains 0.24 0.67 0.90
Pioneer 5454 Pioneer 0.31 0.59 0.90
Dekalb 133 Monsanto 0.24 0.65 0.89
Triple Crown FFR 0.25 0.63 0.88
WL 324 W-L 0.21 0.66 0.88
Cimarron - SR Great Plains 0.28 0.59 0.87
ABT 400SCL ABT 0.28 0.58 0.87
AmeriGraze 401 + Z ABI 0.19 0.66 0.85
Pawnee ABI 0.17 0.66 0.83
ABT 350 ABT 0.20 0.63 0.82
Feast + EV AgriPro 0.21 0.61 0.82
Stellar ChemGro 0.28 0.53 0.82
WL 323 W-L 0.21 0.61 0.82
CleanSweep 1000 FFR 0.22 0.57 0.80
Pioneer 53Q60 Pioneer 0.19 0.61 0.79
WL 326GZ W-L 0.20 0.57 0.77
Dekalb 140 Monsanto 0.18 0.59 0.77
Choice FFR 0.21 0.52 0.73
Affinity + Z ABI 0.19 0.54 0.73
Interceptor AgriPro 0.16 0.54 0.71
Pioneer 54H69 Pioneer 0.14 0.56 0.70
WL 325HQ W-L 0.15 0.47 0.62
LSD (0.05)  NS NS NS
9/23/98 - Planted
9/14/98 - Applied 9 - 54 - 54/acre
9/21/98 - Sprayed 1 qt of Eptam 7E and spike tooth in
3/26/99 - Overseeded Study (Thin stand so drilled 15 lb/acre over each plot late March)
6/11/99 - Applied 100 lb K2O/acre

Table 3. 2000 Alfalfa Variety Yields - Northern Piedmont AREC, Orange, Va., Sept. 1998 Seeding
Variety Company 15-May 20-Jun 21-Jul24-Aug 12-Oct Total
DM Yield (tons/acre)
ABT 400SCL W-L 2.92 1.60 1.51 1.17 1.09 8.29
AmeriGraze 401 + Z ABI 2.67 1.71 1.54 1.31 1.01 8.24
Dekalb 141 Monsanto 2.61 1.64 1.56 1.22 1.16 8.19
Cimarron - SR Great Plains 2.77 1.69 1.47 1.19 1.06 8.18
Interceptor ABI 2.77 1.70 1.47 1.19 1.00 8.13
Pioneer 53Q60 Pioneer 2.71 1.66 1.52 1.25 0.99 8.13
Pawnee(ZC9650) ABI 2.52 1.66 1.56 1.31 1.08 8.12
Persist Doeblerfs 2.79 1.63 1.49 1.14 0.97 8.02
Dagger + EV ABI 2.47 1.68 1.54 1.24 1.05 7.97
Cimarron 3i Great Plains 2.67 1.66 1.40 1.13 1.08 7.94
WL 323 W-L 2.62 1.67 1.44 1.13 1.07 7.93
WL 324 W-L 2.46 1.67 1.50 1.20 1.07 7.90
Dekalb 140 Monsanto 2.52 1.65 1.50 1.12 1.10 7.88
CleanSweep 1000 FFR 2.47 1.65 1.54 1.22 1.00 7.87
Affinity + Z ABI 2.47 1.58 1.54 1.17 1.00 7.77
Dekalb 133 Monsanto 2.43 1.63 1.42 1.14 1.11 7.73
Triple Crown (A9503) FFR 2.47 1.64 1.36 1.14 1.07 7.69
Pioneer 5454 Pioneer 2.45 1.55 1.54 1.17 0.97 7.68
Spur Allied 2.47 1.56 1.42 1.20 0.99 7.64
Choice FFR 2.58 1.58 1.40 1.03 0.99 7.58
WL 326GZ W-L 2.35 1.59 1.48 1.14 1.01 7.57
Feast + EV Agri-pro 2.53 1.60 1.40 1.17 0.87 7.56
WL 325HQ W-L 2.35 1.54 1.47 1.08 1.05 7.48
Stellar W-L 2.23 1.59 1.52 1.17 0.89 7.41
ABT 350 W-L 2.29 1.50 1.46 1.07 1.07 7.37
Pioneer 54H69 Pioneer 2.34 1.49 1.30 1.00 0.85 6.96
LSD (0.05)   NS NS 0.13 NS 0.12 NS
9-23-98 - Planted
3-26-99 - Replanted Study
2-25-00 - Applied 80 lb P2O5 + 4 lb B/acre
2-25-00 - Applied 240 lb K2O/acre
3-02-00 - Sprayed 0.5 lb Sinbar/acre
4-05-00 - Sprayed 1 qt of Lorsban 4E/acre to control Alfalfa weevil
5-16-00 - Applied 180 lb K2O/acre

Table 4. 2001 Alfalfa Variety Yields - Northern Piedmont AREC, Orange, Va., Sept. 1998 Seeding
Variety Company 09-May 06-Jun 06-Jul03-Aug 26-Sep Total
DM Yield (tons/acre)
Pawnee (ZC9650) ABI 1.77 0.99 1.71 0.72 0.89 6.07
Dekalb 140 Monsanto 1.82 1.02 1.61 0.65 0.95 6.05
Stellar W-L 1.80 1.02 1.70 0.75 0.74 6.01
AmeriGraze 401 + Z ABI 1.89 0.89 1.59 0.69 0.95 5.99
Interceptor ABI 1.86 0.93 1.61 0.67 0.86 5.94
WL 325HQ W-L 1.63 1.08 1.72 0.69 0.82 5.94
ABT 400SCL W-L 1.84 0.98 1.54 0.65 0.91 5.93
WL 326GZ W-L 1.73 0.99 1.63 0.66 0.84 5.84
Pioneer 5454 Pioneer 1.76 0.98 1.59 0.64 0.85 5.81
CleanSweep 1000 FFR 1.84 0.86 1.55 0.66 0.88 5.80
Affinity + Z ABI 1.73 1.01 1.65 0.63 0.75 5.76
Dagger + EV ABI 1.77 0.92 1.52 0.66 0.89 5.76
Dekalb 141 Monsanto 1.81 0.88 1.45 0.53 1.09 5.76
ABT 350 W-L 1.59 1.01 1.65 0.67 0.81 5.73
Dekalb 133 Monsanto 1.73 0.87 1.44 0.59 1.07 5.70
Persist Doeblerfs 1.79 0.86 1.51 0.58 0.94 5.68
Cimarron - SR Great Plains 1.85 0.81 1.40 0.58 1.00 5.63
Spur Allied 1.65 0.93 1.54 0.59 0.90 5.61
Pioneer 53Q60 Pioneer 1.83 0.86 1.47 0.60 0.85 5.60
WL 324 W-L 1.75 0.90 1.48 0.62 0.80 5.56
Triple Crown (A9503) FFR 1.67 0.92 1.43 0.60 0.89 5.51
WL 323 W-L 1.82 0.88 1.38 0.54 0.84 5.45
Choice FFR 1.68 0.93 1.47 0.53 0.75 5.37
Cimarron 3i Great Plains 1.75 0.83 1.38 0.54 0.85 5.37
Feast + EV Agri-pro 1.66 0.83 1.35 0.61 0.85 5.30
Pioneer 54H69 Pioneer 1.39 0.78 1.53 0.58 0.87 5.14
LS 0.05  NS 0.12 0.14 NS NS NS
9-23-98 - Planted
3-26-99 - Replanted Study
2-28-01 - Applied 100 lbs P2O5 + 4 lbs B per acre
2-28-01 - Applied 240 lbs K2O per acre
2-28-01 - Sprayed 0.75 lbs Sinbar per acre
4-10-01 - Sprayed 1 Qt of Lorsban 4E per Acre to control Alfalfa weevil
5-10-01 - Applied 180 lbs K2O per acre

Table 5: 2002 Alfalfa Variety Yields - Northern Piedmont AREC, Orange, VA, Sept. 1998 Seeding.
Variety Company 16-May 6-Jun 19-Jul21-Aug 22-Oct Total
DM Yield (tons/acre)
AmeriGraze 401 + Z ABI 1.92 1.69 1.06 1.21 0.93 6.80
Dekalb 140 Monsanto 1.89 1.74 1.05 1.17 0.93 6.78
Pawnee (ZC9650) ABI 1.85 1.70 1.02 1.23 0.96 6.75
WL 325HQ W-L 2.08 1.65 0.93 1.10 0.95 6.71
ABT 400SCL W-L 1.95 1.61 0.97 1.12 0.92 6.57
Dekalb 133 Monsanto 1.87 1.63 0.93 1.11 1.00 6.54
Cimarron - SR Great Plains 1.79 1.64 0.96 1.20 0.94 6.53
Dagger + EV ABI 1.75 1.64 1.00 1.17 0.90 6.47
Stellar W-L 1.75 1.69 1.04 1.19 0.72 6.40
WL 326GZ W-L 1.94 1.58 0.91 1.06 0.89 6.37
ABT 350 W-L 1.95 1.46 0.91 1.07 0.98 6.37
Persist Doeblerfs 1.76 1.49 0.99 1.19 0.89 6.33
Triple Crown (A9503) FFR 1.96 1.56 0.88 0.97 0.93 6.30
Spur Allied 1.81 1.51 0.95 1.10 0.88 6.24
Dekalb 141 Monsanto 1.86 1.47 0.92 1.08 0.92 6.24
Pioneer 5454 Pioneer 1.84 1.55 0.91 1.06 0.87 6.23
Pioneer 53Q60 Pioneer 1.65 1.64 0.98 1.10 0.86 6.23
Interceptor ABI 1.78 1.62 0.91 1.05 0.85 6.21
WL 324 W-L 1.82 1.46 0.92 1.03 0.91 6.14
CleanSweep 1000 FFR 1.84 1.53 0.86 0.94 0.83 5.99
Choice FFR 1.81 1.45 0.84 0.99 0.84 5.92
WL 323 W-L 1.79 1.41 0.80 0.94 0.83 5.77
Cimarron 3i Great Plains 1.76 1.36 0.79 0.97 0.88 5.76
Affinity + Z ABI 1.81 1.38 0.78 0.93 0.82 5.72
Feast + EV Agri-pro 1.64 1.38 0.82 0.98 0.78 5.60
Pioneer 54H69 Pioneer 1.62 1.16 0.78 0.88 0.76 5.20
LSD (0.05)  NS NS NS NS 0.12 NS
9-23-98 - Planted
3-26-99 - Replanted Study
2-26-02 - Applied 100 lb P2O5 + 3 lb B/acre
2-26-02 - Applied 240 lb K2O/acre
2-27-02 - Sprayed 0.75 lb Sinbar/acre
4-16-02 - Sprayed 1 qt of Lorsban 4E/acre to control Alfalfa weevil
5-17-02 - Applied 180 lb K2O/acre

Table 6. 2003 Alfalfa Variety Yields - Northern Piedmont AREC, Orange, Va., Sept. 1998 Seeding
Variety Company 20-May 30-Jun 30-Jul 9-Sep 30-Oct Total
DM Yield (tons/acre)
AmeriGraze401 + Z ABI 1.92 1.69 1.06 1.21 0.93 6.80
Dekalb 140 Monsanto 1.89 1.74 1.05 1.17 0.93 6.78
Pawnee (ZC9650) ABI 1.85 1.70 1.02 1.23 0.96 6.75
WL 325HQ W-L 2.08 1.65 0.93 1.10 0.95 6.71
ABT 400SCL W-L 1.95 1.61 0.97 1.12 0.92 6.57
Dekalb 133 Monsanto 1.87 1.63 0.93 1.11 1.00 6.54
Cimarron - SR Great Plains 1.79 1.64 0.96 1.20 0.94 6.53
Dagger + EV ABI 1.75 1.64 1.00 1.17 0.90 6.47
Stellar W-L 1.75 1.69 1.04 1.19 0.72 6.40
WL 326GZ W-L 1.94 1.58 0.91 1.06 0.89 6.37
ABT 350 W-L 1.95 1.46 0.91 1.07 0.98 6.37
Persist Doeblerfs 1.76 1.49 0.99 1.19 0.89 6.33
Triple Crown (A9503) FFR 1.96 1.56 0.88 0.97 0.93 6.30
Spur Allied 1.81 1.51 0.95 1.10 0.88 6.24
Dekalb 141 Monsanto 1.86 1.47 0.92 1.08 0.92 6.24
Pioneer 5454 Pioneer 1.84 1.55 0.91 1.06 0.87 6.23
Pioneer53Q60 Pioneer 1.65 1.64 0.98 1.10 0.86 6.23
Interceptor ABI 1.78 1.62 0.91 1.05 0.85 6.21
WL 324 W-L 1.82 1.46 0.92 1.03 0.91 6.14
CleanSweep 1000 FFR 1.84 1.53 0.86 0.94 0.83 5.99
Choice FFR 1.81 1.45 0.84 0.99 0.84 5.92
WL 323 W-L 1.79 1.41 0.80 0.94 0.83 5.77
Cimarron 3-i Great Plains 1.76 1.36 0.79 0.97 0.88 5.76
Affinity + Z ABI 1.81 1.38 0.78 0.93 0.82 5.72
Feast + EV Agri-pro 1.64 1.38 0.82 0.98 0.78 5.60
Pioneer 54H69 Pioneer 1.62 1.16 0.78 0.88 0.76 5.20
LSD (0.05)  NS 0.20 NS NS 0.09 0.70
9-23-98 - Planted
3-26-99 - Replanted Study
5-17-02 - Applied 180 lb K2O/acre
3-10-03 - Applied 100 lb P2O5, 200 lb K2O, + 27 lbs B/acre
3-11-03 - Sprayed 0.75 lb Sinbar/acre
4-15-03 - Sprayed 1 oz/acre Baythroid
5-20-03 - Applied 185 lb K2O/acre
5-30-03 - Sprayed edges with Poast Plus 1%
7-11-03 - Sprayed 1.5 oz/acre Baythroid, 2 pt/acre Poast Plus

Table 7. Alfalfa Variety Yields - Northern Piedmont AREC, Orange, Va., Sept. 1998 Seeding
Variety Company 1999 2000 20012002 2003 2000-2003 Avg.
DM Yield (ton/acre)
Pawnee (ZC9650) ABI 0.83 8.12 6.07 6.75 7.81 7.19
AmeriGraze 401 + Z ABI 0.85 8.24 5.99 6.80 7.24 7.07
ABT 400SCL W-L 0.87 8.29 5.93 6.57 7.45 7.06
Dekalb 140 Monsanto 0.77 7.88 6.05 6.78 7.33 7.01
WL 325HQ W-L 0.62 7.48 5.94 6.71 7.72 6.96
Cimarron - SR Great Plains 0.87 8.18 5.63 6.53 7.19 6.88
WL 326GZ W-L 0.77 7.57 5.84 6.37 7.59 6.84
Dekalb 133 Monsanto 0.89 7.73 5.70 6.54 7.41 6.84
Stellar W-L 0.82 7.41 6.01 6.40 7.50 6.83
Dagger + EV ABI 0.97 7.97 5.76 6.47 7.09 6.82
Persist Doeblerfs 0.95 8.02 5.68 6.33 7.23 6.81
Pioneer 5454 Pioneer 0.90 7.68 5.60 6.23 7.72 6.81
ABT 350 W-L 0.82 7.37 5.73 6.37 7.76 6.81
Dekalb 141 Monsanto 1.05 8.19 5.76 6.24 7.00 6.80
Interceptor ABI 0.71 8.13 5.94 6.21 6.86 6.78
Triple Crown (A9503) FFR 0.88 7.69 5.51 6.30 7.58 6.77
Pioneer 53Q60 Pioneer 0.79 8.13 5.81 6.23 6.87 6.76
WL 324 W-L 0.88 7.90 5.56 6.14 7.43 6.75
CleanSweep 1000 FFR 0.80 7.87 5.80 5.99 7.27 6.73
Affinity + Z ABI 0.73 7.77 5.76 5.72 7.31 6.64
Spur Allied 0.96 7.64 5.61 6.24 7.01 6.63
WL 323 W-L 0.82 7.93 5.45 5.77 6.90 6.51
Choice FFR 0.73 7.58 5.37 5.92 7.05 6.48
Cimarron 3-i Great Plains 0.90 7.94 5.37 5.76 6.72 6.45
Feast + EV Agri-pro 0.82 7.56 5.30 5.60 6.59 6.26
Pioneer 54H69 Pioneer 0.70 6.96 5.14 5.20 6.72 6.01
LSD (0.05)   NS NS NS NS .70 NS
*See Individual Years for Cultural Practices

Table 8. 2000 Alfalfa Variety Yields - Southern Piedmont AREC, Blackstone, Va., June 2000 Seeding
Variety Company 16-Aug 27-Sep Total
DM Yield (tons/acre)
HayGrazer Great Plains 1.36 1.02 2.38
Seedway 512 Seedway 1.25 0.99 2.24
Prolific Doeblerfs 1.26 0.86 2.12
Pioneer 53H81 Pioneer 1.27 0.84 2.11
Pioneer 53Q60 Pioneer 1.21 0.91 2.11
AmeriGraze 401 + Z ABI 1.24 0.86 2.10
Magnum V Dairyland 1.24 0.84 2.08
Alfagraze Americafs Alfalfa 1.14 0.90 2.04
Persist Doeblerfs 1.22 0.81 2.03
Choice FFR 1.23 0.81 2.03
Triple Crown FFR 1.09 0.91 2.00
Trialfalon ChemGro 1.11 0.88 1.99
Pioneer 54V54 Pioneer 1.11 0.84 1.95
Dairyland Seed Hybrid Dairyland 0.99 0.84 1.83
LSD (0.05)  NS 0.11 NS
5-18-00 - Applied 0-210-434 + 4 lb B/acre
5-26-00 - Sprayed 2 qt Eptam 7E/acre
6-8-00 - Planted
8-23-00 - Sprayed 18.4 oz Quadris 2.08/acre to control Southern Stem Blight
9-12-00 - Sprayed 1 pt Poast + 2 pt COC/acre
10-3-00 - Sprayed 18.4 oz Quadris 2.08/acre to control Southern Stem Blight
Soil Type: Dothan - Norfolk
Soil Test: Oct. 99
   pH: 6.9
   P: High
   K: Medium
   Ca: Med -
   Mg: High +
   Zn: 1.4
   Mn: 3.3
   OM: 1.4

Table 9. 2001 Alfalfa Variety Yields - Southern Piedmont AREC, Blackstone, Va., June 2000 Seeding
Variety Company 26-Apr 31-May 6-Jul14-Aug 21-Sep Total
DM Yield (tons/acre)
Persist Doeblerfs 2.86 1.73 1.54 2.43 0.58 9.14
HayGrazer Great Plains 2.82 1.59 1.46 2.20 0.61 8.68
Prolific Doeblerfs 2.68 1.74 1.71 1.86 0.57 8.55
Trialfalon ChemGro 2.68 1.56 1.83 1.90 0.56 8.53
Triple Crown (A9503) FFR 2.85 1.62 1.44 1.93 0.50 8.35
Seedway 512 Seedway 2.98 1.59 1.29 1.84 0.57 8.28
Pioneer 53H81 Pioneer 2.70 1.50 1.58 1.78 0.57 8.13
Pioneer 54V54 Pioneer 2.62 1.44 1.64 1.83 0.55 8.07
Alfagraze Americafs Alfalfa 2.58 1.46 1.65 1.80 0.52 8.01
AmeriGraze 401 + Z ABI 2.54 1.57 1.58 1.82 0.48 7.99
Magnum V Dairyland 2.60 1.62 1.41 1.75 0.49 7.87
Dairyland Seed Hybrid Dairyland 2.60 1.48 1.46 1.81 0.50 7.85
Choice FFR 2.72 1.52 1.27 1.78 0.44 7.73
Pioneer 53Q60 Pioneer 2.54 1.58 1.27 1.76 0.52 7.67
LSD (0.05)  0.19 0.17 NS NS 0.08 0.64
6-08-00 - Planted
2-21-01 - 0-200-400 + 4lb B/acre
3-26-01 - 1 qt Furadan 4F + 18.4 oz Quadris 2.08/acre

Table 10. 2002 Alfalfa Variety Yields - Southern Piedmont AREC, Blackstone, Va., June 2000 Seeding
Variety Company 8-May 4-May 2-Jul4-Aug 2-Oct Total
DM Yield (tons/acre)
Persist Doeblerfs 2.83 1.20 0.24 0.67 0.98 5.93
HayGrazer Great Plains 2.78 1.09 0.20 0.61 1.05 5.73
Prolific Doeblerfs 2.73 1.10 0.26 0.69 0.95 5.72
Pioneer 53Q60 Pioneer 2.69 1.12 0.23 0.65 0.97 5.66
Alfagraze Americafs Alfalfa 2.73 1.13 0.18 0.61 1.00 5.65
Seedway 512 Seedway 2.64 1.09 0.22 0.59 1.04 5.58
Triple Crown (A9503) FFR 2.66 1.03 0.24 0.66 0.97 5.56
Pioneer 54V54 Pioneer 2.57 1.12 0.25 0.66 0.94 5.54
AmeriGraze 401 + Z ABI 2.53 1.08 0.25 0.71 0.96 5.53
Magnum V Dairyland 2.52 1.12 0.26 0.70 0.91 5.51
Pioneer 53H81 Pioneer 2.65 1.11 0.18 0.62 0.94 5.50
Dairyland Hybrid Dairyland 2.49 1.08 0.22 0.70 0.93 5.41
Choice FFR 2.55 0.93 0.21 0.59 0.92 5.19
Trialfalon ChemGro 2.27 1.06 0.24 0.64 0.90 5.12
LSD (0.05)  NS NS 0.05 NS NS NS
2/13/2002 - 0-200-400 + 4lb B/acre
4/2/2002 - 1 qt Furadan 4F/acre
4/5/2002 - 0-200-400 + 4lb B/acre
6/12/2002 - 1.44 oz Pursuit + 1.5 oz Poast/acre
Soil Test:
   pH 6.9
   P High
   K Medium

Table 11. 2003 Alfalfa Variety Yields - Southern Piedmont AREC, Blackstone, Va., June 2000 Seeding
Variety Company StandCount
8-May DM Yield (tons/acre) 22-Oct Plants/90 square ft.
Pioneer 54V54 Pioneer 1.99 32
Alfagraze Americafs Alfalfa 1.93 75
HayGrazer Great Plains 1.92 15
Seedway 512 Seedway 1.89 20
Trialfalon ChemGro 1.84 20
A9503 FFR 1.83 16
Persist Doeblerfs 1.81 24
Choice FFR 1.79 19
Pioneer 53H81 Pioneer 1.79 20
Prolific Doeblerfs 1.77 28
AmeriGraze 401 + Z ABI 1.71 44
Dairyland Magnum V Dairyland 1.71 39
Dairyland Seed Hybrid Dairyland 1.71 30
Pioneer 53Q60 Pioneer 1.69 10
LS 0.05  0.17 19

Table 12. Alfalfa Variety Yield Summary -Southern Piedmont AREC, Blackstone, Va., June 2000 Seeding
Variety Company 2000 2001 2002 2001-2002 Average
DM Yield (ton/acre)
Triple Crown (A9503) FFR 2.00 8.35 5.56 6.95
Alfagraze Americafs Alfalfa 2.04 8.01 5.65 6.83
AmeriGraze 401 + Z ABI 2.10 7.99 5.53 6.76
Choice FFR 2.03 7.73 5.19 6.46
Magnum V Dairyland 2.08 7.87 5.51 6.69
Dairyland Seed Hybrid Dairyland 1.83 7.85 5.41 6.63
HayGrazer Great Plains 2.38 8.68 5.73 7.20
Persist Doeblerfs 2.03 9.14 5.93 7.54
Pioneer 53H81 Pioneer 2.11 8.13 5.50 6.82
Pioneer 53Q60 Pioneer 2.11 7.67 5.66 6.67
Pioneer 54V54 Pioneer 1.95 8.07 5.54 6.81
Prolific Doeblerfs 2.12 8.55 5.72 7.14
Seedway 512 Seedway 2.24 8.28 5.58 6.93
Trialfalon ChemGro 1.99 8.53 5.12 6.82
LSD (0.05)  NS 0.64 NS NS
*See Individual Years for Cultural Practices

Table 13. 2000 Alfalfa Variety Yields - Kentland Farm, Whitethorne, Va., Sept. 1999 Seeding
Variety Company 15-May 20-Jun Total
DM Yield (tons/acre)
Haygrazer Great Plains 2.32 1.60 3.92
Pioneer 53Q60 Pioneer 2.10 1.72 3.82
Dekalb 141 Monsanto 2.33 1.32 3.65
Persist Doeblerfs 2.24 1.38 3.62
Spur Allied 2.18 1.37 3.55
Affinity + Z ABI 2.24 1.30 3.54
Dagger + EV ABI 2.14 1.28 3.41
ABT 350 W-L 2.11 1.24 3.35
Feast + EV Agri-pro 1.92 1.38 3.30
Pioneer 5454 Pioneer 1.91 1.34 3.25
Prolific Doeblerfs 2.02 1.23 3.24
WL 325HQ W-L 1.99 1.19 3.18
Seedway 512 Seedway 1.95 1.22 3.17
Dekalb 133 Monsanto 1.87 1.28 3.15
Choice FFR 2.02 1.13 3.15
Pioneer 53H81 Pioneer 1.97 1.08 3.05
Pawnee(ZC9650) ABI 2.00 1.05 3.05
Trialfalon ChemGro 1.85 1.18 3.04
ABT 400SCL W-L 1.67 1.37 3.03
WL 327 W-L 2.07 0.94 3.00
Alfagraze Americafs Alfalfa 1.93 1.05 2.97
Dekalb 140 Monsanto 1.79 1.14 2.94
AmeriGraze 401 + Z ABI 1.88 0.85 2.73
Abilene + Z ABI 1.65 1.06 2.71
Triple Crown (A9503) FFR 1.49 1.04 2.54
LSD (0.05)  0.30 0.25 0.44
Soil test results taken 10/11/00
P = 15 (Medium range = 6-18)
K = 67 (Medium range = 38-88)
pH = 6.7

Table 14. Alfalfa forage seed companies with varieties in Virginia Tech trials
53H815
53Q605
54545
54H695
54V545
Abilene + Z8
ABT 35011
ABT 400 SCL11
Affinity + Z8
Alfagraze8
Amerigraze 401 + Z8
Choice1
Cimarron 3I4
Cinarron SR4
Clean Sweep 10001
Dagger + EV10
DK1336
DK1406
DK1416
Feast + EV10
Haygrazer4
Interceptor10
Pawnee12
Persist 7
Precedent 7
Prolific 7
Seedway 512 2
Spur 2
Stellar 3
Trialfalon 3
Triple Crown 1
WL 323 9
WL 324 9
WL 325 HQ 9
WL 326 GZ 9
WL 327 9

1. Southern States Cooperative
PO Box 26234
Richmond, VA 23260
(804) 281-1253
www.southernstates-coop.com

2. Seedway Inc.
1734 Railroad Place
PO Box 250
Hall, NY 14463
(716) 526-6391

3. ChemGro Seeds
PO Box 218
East Petersburg, PA 17520
(717) 569-3296

4. Wetsel, Inc.
961 N. Liberty
Harrisonburg, VA 22801
(540) 434-6753

5. Pioneer Hi-Bred International, Inc.
800 Tiffany Blvd.,
#200 Rocky Mount, NC 27804-1826
(212) 972-3320

6. Monsanto
3100 Sycamore Rdv DeKalb, IL 60115
1 (800) 8DEKALB

7. Doebler's PA Hybrids
RR 1 Box 424
Jersey Shore, PA 17740
(800) 853-CORN

8. ABI Alfalfa, Inc.
12351 W. 96 Terrace Ste. 101
Lenexa, KS 66215
(800) 873-2532

9. W-L Research, Inc.
8701 W. US Hwy 14
Evansville, WI 53536
(608) 882-4100

10. AgriPro, Inc.
PO Box 500
Slater, IA 50244
(877) AGRIPRO

11. AgriBioTech, Inc.
120 Corporate Park Dr.
Henderson, NV 89014
(702) 566-2440

12. Midwest Seed Genetics
PO Box 518
Carroll, IA 51408
(712) 792-6691

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