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Alfalfa

Alfalfa is a legume that can fix most of its own nitrogen, is deep-rooted to give drought tolerance, and yields well during the hotter part of the summer.  On many farms today, alfalfa stands are only in production for three to four years.  Byron Seeds selects only the highest-performing varieties for maximum yields throughout the life span of the stand.
     You hear a lot about low lignin alfalfas in the industry today, and while they have good quality, they do have a drag on yield.  KingFisher alfalfas have improved fiber digestibility on farms throughout the US. KingFisher alfalfas and alfalfa/grass mixes have produced award-winning yields of high-quality forages that have garnered many honors and championships in the rigorous, unbiased World Dairy Expo Forage Analysis Superbowl.
 
Management
Many modern varieties can handle 28-day cutting schedules and, in fact some elite varieties need that type of management to perform their best.  One very critical aspect of alfalfa management is knowing when to take the last cutting in the fall.  Alfalfa needs five weeks of growth before a killing frost (25 F).  In some areas, another cutting can be taken after frost when the alfalfa is dormant.

Higher fall dormancy numbers in alfalfa indicate early spring and late fall growth, thus increased yield.  For winter survival, the lower the winter survival number, the more winter hardy the variety.
 
Establishment
Alfalfa can be planted in the spring or late summer, but we recommend late summer whenever possible.  If spring sown, a nurse crop of grass or small grain is recommended to maximize the tonnage in the seeding year.  We usually recommend seeding grass with alfalfa to give a higher tonnage and a better quality feed for the life of the stand.  Good ratios of sulfur, boron, and phosphorus as well as a PH above 6.5 are critical for alfalfa.  Nitrogen is key for good grass yields.
 
Alfalfa exhibits autotoxicity, which means established plants (older than 6 months) give off compounds that prevent new alfalfa
seedlings from establishing.
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30 out of 30 is highest resistance rating.  35 ratings indicate resistance to APH2.
Higher fall dormancy numbers indicate early spring and late fall growth.
The lower the winter survival number, the more winter hardy the variety.
  • Blaze is a blend of high performing alfalfas naturally bred for reduced crosslinking with lignin and lower UNDF240.
  • Blaze brings strong disease resistance (APH2) and increased NDFD30 and protein digestion.
  • KF SynergyX Blaze tech sheet
  • Fortress is a blend of rugged, high-traffic-tolerant alfalfas.
  • This mix includes sunken crown, branch root, creeping, and APH2 resistant alfalfas. 
  • KF Synergyx Fortress tech sheet
  • This variety works very well for feeding programs dependent on fiber digestibility from alfalfa.
  • KF 425HD is naturally bred for reduced crosslinking with lignin.
  • One of our most excellent varieties; very popular
  • Our best disease-resistant variety including Aphanomyces Race 2.
  • This branch-rooted variety works well on marginal soils prone to disease and wet conditions.
  • This branch-rooted variety works well on a wide variety of soil conditions.
  • This variety has excellent regrowth even in heavier soils.
  • KF 101 consists of good varieties at a great price. 
  • These are better alfalfa varieties than VNS.
  • An improved leaf hopperresistant alfalfa with a solid disease package.
  • Recovery after cutting is slower than some other alfalfas.
  • Byron’s 40 LR Tech Sheet
  • KF 444 is a consistent performer across a wide variety of soils and conditions.
  • It demonstrates branch rooting in wet and heavy soils. 
  • Available in organic
  • This tall, robust organic variety has a dense, leafy canopy and good tonnage.
  • This grower-friendly variety is easy to manage; performs well in short or longer rotations.
  • Byron’s 44 Mag Tech Sheet
  • This is a high-yielding, extremely persistent alfalfa with aggressive recovery.
  • An ideal alfalfa where a long-term stand is needed.
  • Pillar Plus Tech Sheet
  • Ignite is a combination of high-performing alfalfas with superior quality, disease resistance, and varying root systems for the best alfalfa managers.
  • This mix has very high yield potential while having a low-lignin enhanced quality alfalfa component.
  • KF SynergyX Ignite tech sheet
  • Hydro-Power is a combination of stress-tolerant alfalfas that handle variable soil types and will make award-winning dry hay, baleage, or haylage.
  • It also has a persistent red clover component that will increase the yields and the fiber digestibility of this strategic mix.
  • KF SynergyX Hydropower tech sheet
  • Stronghold features a sunken crown for great traffic tolerance.
  • The branched roots keep the plant firmly in the ground, helping avoid winterkill.
  • KF Stronghold Tech Sheet
  • This variety is super persistent.
  • It is good for grazing because it is a creeping alfalfa that spreads by rhizomes, healing pastures.
  • This alfalfa re-grows rapidly for 28 day cutting schedules.
  • It produces exceptional tonnage and is very winter hardy.
  • KF 257 Tech Sheet
  • This organic variety is very disease-resistant.
  • This branch-rooted variety works well on marginal soils prone to disease and wet conditions.
  • Ignite-Force is an organic blend that brings the force of alfalfa synergy to the organic farmer.
  • As a companion blend to our conventional Ignite, Ignite-Force brings high-performing alfalfas with superior quality, disease resistance, and varying root systems for the best alfalfa managers.
  • OR 202 is an economical organic option for short-term alfalfa.
  • A fall dormancy of 4 helps it move farther south.
  • This branched root alfalfa is for operations with heavier soils and disease pressure.
  • Fine stem and forage quality with excellent yields
  • Prairie Thunder Tech Sheet