New alfalfa genetics and good growing conditions combined to produce record-breaking yields in the 2009 Penn State Forage Trials.  HybriForce-2400 from Dairyland Seed topped the trial with a yield of 10.16 tons of dry matter over five cuttings of the 2009 growing season at Landisville Research Farm in Lancaster County, Penn.  This marks the first time ever an alfalfa has yielded more than 10 tons in a single growing season of the Penn State Forage Trials.

Alfalfa yields in the past have remained relatively flat compared to corn, which sets new yield records almost annually, making the 10-ton milestone that much more important.  Over time, the gain in corn was due to hybridization, and now is being pushed up by genetic improvement and protection by traits. HybriForce-2400 alfalfa was also developed through hybrid breeding, from Dairyland’s exclusive patented msSunstra® Hybrid Alfalfa Technology.

 

According to Steve Wagner, Alfalfa Breeder with Dairyland Seed, hybrid breeding is helping to buck alfalfa’s flat yield trend.  Wagner says, “Traditional synthetic alfalfa breeding, the industry standard, has only produced a 0.34 percent annual genetic yield gain since 1980.  Since the 2001 launch of the first hybrid alfalfa our hybrid alfalfa breeding program has effectively doubled the annual genetic yield gain.”

 

The exciting part is where hybrid alfalfa breeding is headed -- HybriForce-2400 yield results may be just the beginning.  Evaluations of Dairyland’s experimental hybrid alfalfas suggest  an even greater annual genetic yield gain may already be here.  That could mean a significant yield increase in just 10 years.

 

Garrett Coleman the Northeast Sales Manager with Dairyland Seed remains focused on the HybriForce-2400. “HybriForce-2400 yield performance throughout the Northeast has been tremendous. Its fine stems and superior feed quality make it the best alfalfa on the market today,” says Coleman.  “If you contact your dealer today there is still supply available for spring planting.”