April 4, 2003

America’s Alfalfa announces that it has filed for a patent for the industry’s first manure-tolerant alfalfa genetics.

The patent application is supported by independent USDA-ARS research data showing that alfalfa genetics developed by America’s Alfalfa produce bigger yields and greater stand life than conventional varieties under midseason manure applications. Two-year testing conducted by the USDA – Agricultural Research Service at Waseca, Minnesota, show AmeriStand 403T averaged 14 percent more yield and 18 percent better stand persistence under midseason manure application than genetics from other widely planted brands. This unique trait should aid growers with their manure management plans, increase manure disposal flexibility and offers them a unique opportunity to generate new farm revenues.

Jim Moutray, Ph.D., research director at America’s Alfalfa, reports that Traffic Tested™ AmeriStand 403T, a 4 dormancy variety, is the first release in a line of varieties that will feature manure tolerance.
Dr. Moutray says, “Data from these tests show there is a clear connection between traffic tested varieties and manure tolerance. We believe our 11-year selection process for the larger roots and crowns that set AmeriStand 403T apart from conventional varieties is key to better manure tolerance.”

The discovery of manure-tolerant alfalfa genetics began in 1991, when Moutray set out to breed a new type of alfalfa plant that could withstand the punishing effects of intense traffic and abusive grazing.
Over the next decade, he evaluated the health, yields, regrowth and persistence of thousands of plants in replicated plots that were subjected to heavy traffic and frequent animal defecation and urination.

Results from a three-year “Yield Under Traffic” study at the University of Wisconsin have shown that AmeriStand 403T averaged .77 ton more annual yield per acre than the average of widely planted conventional varieties. Similar testing and results were found across six other independent University trials. Now the results of independent manure tolerance trials also show that these genetics also stand up to midseason applications of manure with improved yields and better stand life than conventional varieties.

The discovery of the industry’s first manure-tolerant alfalfa is the latest in a long line of accomplishments at America’s Alfalfa. Over the past 40 years, America’s Alfalfa researchers have also developed the first and only Traffic Tested™ alfalfa; the first commercial varieties with high levels of seedling resistance to Phytophthora and Aphanomyces, and the only alfalfa with proven resistance to Phoma crown rot. America’s Alfalfa has also introduced the only patented salt-tolerant varieties that thrive in salty soils; the first commercial varieties with true Lesion Nematode resistance; and the first true, dual-purpose haying and grazing varieties.