Decisions, Decisions...NMSU Helps Alfalfa Growers Pick from 300 Varieties
Date: Nov. 13, 1997
Editor: D'Lyn Ford, (505) 646-6528, dlford@nmsu.edu
LAS CRUCES -- Making up your mind can be tough enough with only two options to ponder. Alfalfa growers have 300 different varieties to choose from as they decide what to plant.
To help growers narrow the field, researchers and Cooperative Extension Service specialists from New Mexico State University have compiled a guide to selecting alfalfa varieties in New Mexico.
"Selecting the best variety to plant is one of the most important decisions alfalfa producers make because they will have this variety in the ground for three to seven years of production," said Shane Ball, Extension agronomist. "The major factors to consider include yield potential, stand persistence, winter hardiness, pest resistance -- which includes both disease and insect resistance -- and finally, forage quality."
The guide summarizes years of alfalfa variety trials from agricultural science centers at Alcalde, Artesia, Farmington, Las Cruces, Los Lunas and Tucumcari. Because alfalfa is grown in every New Mexico county, these sites are a sampling of the state's widely varying climates and soils.
Each center has tested and rated between six and 11 alfalfa varieties. Growers can compare varieties based on their fall dormancy and resistance to five common diseases and five common insects.
Though forage crops aren't high-value crops like vegetables, alfalfa is growing more profitable, thanks to the state's continuing dairy boom. Even small increases in yields can produce big gains for growers, Ball said.
"Let's say your yields have been averaging 5 tons per acre. If your new variety provides a 5-percent improvement in yield, that's an extra quarter-ton per acre. Assuming that production costs are fixed, the result would be a $30-per-acre increase in net profits."
Ball's example assumes the grower is selling high-quality hay for $120 a ton. Multiply the additional $30-per-acre by 300 to 400 acres of alfalfa, and a producer's net income increases substantially.
Because soil, climate and management are different on each farm, Ball also recommends that producers conduct on-farm variety trials, planting test strips of one to five acres.
"Producers can then evaluate the performance of new varieties in head-to-head competition with the old," he said. "They can find out whether they actually yield better, how many cuttings they get and whether they like the quality."
Tom Simpson, a firm believer in on-farm trials, tests alfalfa varieties in cooperation with NMSU on his diversified farm north of Las Cruces. After many years of growing intensive management crops like chile and onions, Simpson plans to plant more cotton and alfalfa, which can be mechanically harvested. He wants to become familiar with newer alfalfa varieties.
"I need to know what works best for me on different soil types," Simpson said.
On a 23-acre plot, Simpson planted eight different alfalfa varieties to compare with his current choice. Each variety is harvested, baled and weighed separately to figure yield.
Growers can visit their county Extension offices for a free copy of Guide A-135 "Selection of Alfalfa Varieties in New Mexico." They also can request the guide from NMSU's Bulletin Office at (505) 646-3228.
With the important variety choice out of the way, alfalfa growers can focus on dozens of other management decisions about cutting schedules, weed control, baling conditions, crop maturity, stand density, irrigation scheduling and fertilizer application rates. Decisions, decisions.