West Salem, Wisconsin
December 30, 2002

The quest for superior yield has lead Cal/West Seeds, one of the world's top forage breeding firms, to a unique family of tall, fast-growing alfalfas with improved standability and faster recovery after harvest. The improved standability helps reduce field loss and the faster recovery after harvest contributes to maximum net yield each season. Alfalfas carrying these enhanced performance traits will be identified as StandFastTM alfalfas in the marketplace and are available from local seed dealers for Spring 2003 planting.

While many of today's alfalfas may tout standability and fast recovery, the StandFast alfalfas are the only commercially available U.S. alfalfas scientifically rated for the two traits. Most alfalfas are described as having fast recovery since the characteristic is so closely associated with high yield. The alfalfas with the StandFast traits recover 10-30% faster than currently available dormant alfalfas. This measured faster recovery can add up to an extra 6-inches of growth during the first 21 days after harvest. The result is a crop that's ready for harvest 3-5 days ahead of today's fastest growing commercial alfalfas which translates to more net yield each season.

Ten days after harvest, the StandFast alfalfa on the left has a regrowth advantage and will be ready for harvest 3-5 days sooner than the alfalfa on the right.

According to Dr. Dan Undersander, Forage Agronomist, University of Wisconsin in Madison, "Lodging causes great losses to farmers because it increases mowing time and results in both yield and quality losses." Traditional alfalfas stand just fine to the pre-bud or early-bud stage, while alfalfas with the StandFast traits offer improved standability to late flower. An unharvested 7-inch stubble versus a 2-inch clean cut can reduce yield up to a third. An important feature when harvest is delayed.