Mycogen Seeds is pleased to announce that several of its alfalfa varieties placed strong in three separate divisions — Dairy Haylage, Dairy Hay and Commercial Hay — at the World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl. A Mycogen Seeds grower was named Grand Champion of the Dairy Hay category for the second straight year.

“We are very pleased with the results our customers achieved in the World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl,” says Greg Cannon, Marketing Specialist, Mycogen Seeds. “We offer elite alfalfa varieties with a wide range of the latest advancements in trait technology to maximize yields.”

Hay and haylages are analyzed for dry matter, crude protein, acid detergent fiber (ADF), neutral detergent fiber (NDF), neutral detergent fiber digestibility (NDFD) and relative forage quality (RFQ). RFQ is a ranking based on digestibility and should not be confused or compared to

Relative Feed Value (RFV). All entries of haylage must have been ensiled and show signs of fermentation.

The hay/haylage finalist samples were judged according to the following criteria:

• Forage Analysis              60%

• Visual                            20%

• Herd Production Info       10%

• Milk Per Ton                   10%

The commercial divisions of hay/baleage were judged on these criteria: 

• Forage Analysis              70%

• Visual                            30%

“We offer top-performing alfalfas that provide excellent yield potential; high-quality forage; disease and pest resistance; and herbicide tolerance technology,” explains Cannon. “Our diverse lineup allows growers to choose the proper variety for their geography and management practices.”

The Grand Champion Dairy Hay division was won by Mike Beun, Waterloo, Wis., who again entered his Mycogen 4A421 variety. Also earning top honors was David Popowski, Ivanhoe, Minn., with the new Mycogen 4G418, a Roundup Ready® variety.

“While in the planning stages of planting, we noticed the Mycogen 4A421 variety excelled in areas that were important to us including yield, recovery, and winterhardiness,” says Beun. “We picked a variety that performed well in our area, and we are pleased with it.”

Mycogen Seeds growers who were finalists in the Dairy Haylage division include: Luke Haywood, Hastings, Mich., and Willard Degolyer, Castile, N.Y.

In the Commercial Hay division, Popowski was a finalist.

The organizing partners of the World’s Forage Analysis Superbowl are AgSource Cooperative Services, DairyBusiness Communications, Hay and Forage Grower/Webb Publications, USDA Forage Research Center, University of Wisconsin-College of Agriculture & Life Sciences and World Dairy Expo.

 “Our alfalfa varieties offer excellent yield potential and provide superior forage quality for increased returns per acre,” Cannon concludes.

Mycogen Seeds is a wholly owned subsidiary of The Dow Chemical Company and an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences LLC. Mycogen Seeds is the leader in Silage-Specific™ corn, the largest sunflower seed producer, and a leading producer of seed corn, alfalfa, soybeans and sorghum.

®™Mycogen, the Mycogen Logo and Silage-Specific are trademarks of Mycogen Corporation.
®Roundup Ready is a registered trademark of Monsanto Company.
©2006 Mycogen Seeds. Mycogen Seeds is an affiliate of Dow AgroSciences LLC.