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General Information
An introduction to alfalfa production systems in California.

The California Alfalfa and Forage Association Website
Articles
Stand Establishment
Start by choosing a site for your alfalfa stand. Monitor the growth and development of your new stand. Time spent planning and preparing for stand establishment pays off.

Old Stand Management
Learn about how to manage your old stands with removal, crop rotation, and overseeding. Overseeding another forage species into a depleted alfalfa stand can extend stand life and improve yield.

Variety Selection
Learn how to select the appropriate variety of alfalfa for your location and pests.

North American Alfalfa Improvement Conference Website
Virtual Alfalfa Research Center Website - VARC highlights important genetics and breeding resources for alfalfa scientists around the world
Articles
Irrigation
Learn how to use soil moisture blocks for monitoring soil moisture in alfalfa or pasture.

Documents

Weed Management
Learn how to manage weeds in alfalfa.

Integrated Weed Management in Established Alfalfa
Herbicide-Tolerant Varieties as a Weed Management Strategy
Preventing Weed Resistance And Weed Shifts
Articles
Insect Management
Learn how to manage insects in alfalfa.

Vertebrate Pest Management
Learn how to manage vertebrate pests in alfalfa.

Diseases
Learn how to manage diseases in alfalfa.

UC IPM: Air Pollution
UC IPM: Bacterial Wilt
UC IPM: How to Manage Sclerotinia Stem & Crown Rot (White Mold)
Articles
Nematodes
Learn how to deal with parasitic nematodes in alfalfa.

Nematode Management Guidelines - UC IPM
Articles
Diagnostic Key
Use this key to identify possible pests and diseases in alfalfa.

Harvest Management
Learn how to make important harvest management decisions for your alfalfa crop. Harvest timing and cutting schedules have a profound influence on nutritional quality, forage yield, stand life, and overall profitability.

Forage Quality and Testing
Test to ensure you are producing high quality forage. An article in Hay & Forage Grower Magazine describes common abuses of the hay testing process (see articles below).

Hay Sampling Certification Exam
Articles
Economics and Marketing
Learn about the economic value of alfalfa and see market summaries for alfalfa crops and other commodities.

Current Cost and Return Studies for California Commodities
California Weekly Hay Report - USDA-AMS (United States Department of Agriculture - Agricultural Marketing Service)
Articles
Biotechnology and Roundup Ready Alfalfa
Glyphosate-tolerant (GT) Alfalfa or Roundup-Ready Alfalfa (RRA) was approved for planting in the US in February, 2011. RRA is a genetically engineered variety of alfalfa, which can be used safely in combination with the herbicide 'glyphosate' (Roundup). RRA was originally deregulated and commercialized in 2005 but then a lawsuit in 2007 rescinded the deregulation, halting further plantings. The USDA-APHIS subsequently conducted an exhaustive Environmental Impact Statement from 2007-2011, and came to the conclusion that GT alfalfa did not present and direct or indirect plant pest risks. There are a range of varieties currently available for planting.Click here for a listing of UC alfalfa publications on biotechnology and related topics.

Organic Alfalfa
Learn about the costs and methods of producing organic alfalfa hay.

Environment
Learn about the contributions of alfalfa to wildlife and the environment.

Articles
Manures and Alfalfa
Learn about manures and integrating dairy manure water nutrient use with forage production in alfalfa.

Seed Production
Alfalfa seed produced throughout the world is primarily used for forage production. The following articles provide an overview of alfalfa seed production techniques in California.

Grass and Forages
View grass and forage trial data.

Corn Silage
Learn about techniques for managing corn silage.

Sorghum Forage
Learn about forage sorghum.

Important Articles
Some articles that may be useful to check out. If you find these to be helpful, be sure to find more at the alfalfa blog!

Does Hydroponic Forage Production Make Sense?