Lindsay, Ontario, Canada
February, 2000

Alfalfa is the most important cattle protein source in Canada and the United States as well as many other parts of the world. The constant search for increased productivity and the challenge of coping with changing weather patterns have taken their toll on conventional alfalfa genetics. It is difficult to develop an alfalfa that offers both superior yield performance and winter survival since both characteristics are somewhat counter related. New selection and breeding techniques, perfected during the nineteen nineties, that accentuate both performance and persistence have resolved this situation. New alfalfa varieties are now emerging from these programs and PICKSEED 2065MF is the first of this new breed to be introduced commercially.

Yield testing in Oxford County, Ontario has shown PICKSEED 2065MF alfalfa to be the highest yielding alfalfa variety in this third production year trial.  The test, seeded in 1996 on a dairy farm near Hickson Ontario, showed considerable stand thinning in Ontario checks and other commercial varieties, but PS2065MF stands persisted beautifully.

"Strong selection pressure for winter survival and vigorous regrowth went into developing this variety" says Jay Hackney MSc., forage plant breeder.  "PICKSEED is the only company in Canada to run intensive Winter Survival selection and testing nurseries on our varieties and our parent material. We’re selecting and breeding varieties in Ontario for Ontario conditions".

Dave Lockman, Agronomist for PICKSEED points out that "the excellent disease resistance package of PS 2065MF, which includes resistance to Aphanomyces and Fusarium, helps to give the variety a competitive edge".  He goes on to say that "You could walk through this test any time during the 4 cuts of the ‘99 season and pick out PS 2065MF.  The variety stood out for two reasons - full stands and excellent regrowth.  This test shows you can manage this variety intensively and still expect top-notch yield and persistence for the stand life you want".

Dave Howe manages the Oxford County dairy farm where the trial was located.  "You could see the dandelions growing though the other varieties, but the 2065MF was thick and tall with no room for the weeds to grow.  You would keep that stand and get top production all summer, where you might have to plow the other varieties.  Alfalfa has to be reliable".

Looking at top milk producing herds, "The common factor is forage quality" says Cornell University Pro-Dairy expert Bill Stone. PICKSEED 2065MF has top forage quality potential with higher intake and better digestibility. It is also testing out at higher protein and higher non-structural carbohydrate content - characteristics that make this variety a truly high value forage. The combination of improved forage quality and improved regrowth and yield will translate into improved milk production.

Many growers with a big herd to milk and lots of forage acres to manage want to see their alfalfa fields persist and yield solidly for the number of years that fit their rotation.  That’s the job this alfalfa variety will do – give top yield each year and super fast regrowth so you can get that fourth cut.  Your alfalfa stand will last until you want to plow it.  And when you plow, you’ll still have plants left to give you optimum N credits.