Producing Alfalfa

General Information
Irrigated Alfalfa Management Website (2008)
The California Alfalfa and Forage Association Website

History, Importance, and Production Dynamics of Alfalfa in California by Dan Putnam

Alfalfa Educational Fact Sheet (2004) - CAFA (California Alfalfa & Forage Association)

Alfalfa Production Systems in California (2007) by Daniel H. Putnam, Charles G. Summers, and Steve B. Orloff
Stand Establishment
Choosing Appropriate Sites for Alfalfa Production (2008) by Steve B. Orloff from the Irrigated Alfalfa Manual

Alfalfa Growth and Development (2008) by Shannon C. Mueller, Larry R. Teuber

Alfalfa Stand Establishment (2008) by Shannon C. Mueller, Carol A. Frate, Marsha Campbell Mathews
Old Stand Management
Managing Older or Depleted Alfalfa Stands

Overseeding & Companion Cropping in Alfalfa
Variety Selection
Variety Trial Data and Annual Agronomy Progress Reports
Virtual Alfalfa Research Center Website

Choosing an Alfalfa Variety (2008) by Daniel H. Putnam, Steve B. Orloff, Larry R. Teuber

2011 Winter Survival, Fall Dormancy & Pest Resistance Ratings for Alfalfa Varieties Leaflet

Using Varieties or Cutting Schedules to Achieve Quality Hay - What are the Tradeoffs? (2003)
Irrigation
Irrigating Alfalfa in Arid Regions (2008) by Blaine R. Hanson, Khaled M. Bali, Blake L. Sanden

Utilizing Soil-Moisture Monitoring to Improve Alfalfa and Pasture Irrigation Management (2003) - Crop Management Network

Soil-Moisture Monitoring: A Simple Method to Improve Alfalfa and Pasture Irrigation Management (2001) brochure
Soil Fetility
Alfalfa Fertilization Strategies (2008) - Irrigated Alfalfa Manual

Maximizing Fertilizer Efficiency Through Tissue Testing and Improved Application Methods (2008)

What in the World? A Global Fertilizer Perspective (2008)
Weed Management
Weed Management in Alfalfa (2008) by Mick Canevari, Ron N. Vargas, Steve B. Orloff

Avoiding Weed Shifts and Weed Resistance in Roundup Ready Alfalfa Systems (2009) - UCANR Publication

Weed Management Options for Alfalfa in Ground Water Protection Areas (2005)
Insect Management
Managing Insects in Alfalfa (2008) - Irrigated Alfalfa Manual

Integrated Pest Management in Forage Alfalfa (1998) by Charles G. Summers

2011 Winter Survival, Fall Dormancy & Pest Resistance Ratings for Alfalfa Varieties Leaflet
Vertebrate Pest Management
Integrated Management of Vertebrate Pests in Alfalfa (2008) - Irrigated Alfalfa Manual

Controlling Vertebrate Pests in Alfalfa (2005) by Duane L. Schnabel

Vertebrate Pest Control in Alfalfa Hay (1997) by Desley A. Whisson

Integrated Pest Management in Forage Alfalfa (1998) by Charles G. Summers

Meadow Voles and Pocket Gophers - Pacific Northwest Extension Publication
Diseases
How to Manage Pests in Alfalfa - Diseases
Sclerotinia Stem & Crown Rot (White Mold)

Alfalfa Diseases and Management (2008) - Irrigated Alfalfa Manual

2008 Winter Survival, Fall Dormancy & Pest Resistance Ratings for Alfalfa Varieties Leaflet

Integrated Pest Management in Forage Alfalfa (1998) by Charles G. Summers
Nematodes
UC IPM: How to Manage Alfalfa Nematodes (2006)
Nematode Management Guidelines - UC IPM

Parasitic Nematodes in Alfalfa (2008) - Irrigated Alfalfa Manual

Alfalfa Nematodes in Idaho (1998) by Saad L. Hafez

Alfalfa Nematodes: What Can Be Done? (2008) - 38th California Alfalfa & Forage Symposium and Western Alfalfa Seed Conference

Press Release: Sudden Outbreak of Alfalfa Stem Nematode Tackled by UC Cooperative Extension (2009) - UCANR News

Integrated Pest Management in Forage Alfalfa (1998) by Charles G. Summers

2008 Winter Survival, Fall Dormancy & Pest Resistance Ratings for Alfalfa Varieties Leaflet
Diagnostic Key
Diagnostic Key to Problems in Alfalfa (2008) - Irrigated Alfalfa Manual

Diagnosing Field Problems (1993) by Mick Canevari - 23rd California Alfalfa Symposium
Harvest Management
Harvest Strategies for Alfalfa (2008) by Steve B. Orloff, Daniel H. Putnam - Irrigated Alfalfa Manual

Harvesting, Curing, and Preservation of Alfalfa (2008) by Steve B. Orloff, Shannon C. Mueller - Irrigated Alfalfa Manual

Cutting Schedule Strategies to Maximize Returns (2006) by Steve B. Orloff, Daniel H. Putnam

Using Varieties or Cutting Schedules to Achieve Quality Hay - What are the Tradeoffs? (2003)

Battle of the Balers: Mid-Sized Bales (1998) by Dennis Dunlea

The Crusher: Effect of Harvest Technique on Alfalfa Drying Time (1998) by Ivan J. Cook

Battle of the Balers: Small Bales (1998) by John Bennett
Forage Quality and Testing
National Forage Testing Association Website
Hay Sampling Certification Exam

Forage Quality and Testing (2008) - Irrigated Alfalfa Manual

Alfalfa Utilization by Livestock (2008) - Irrigated Alfalfa Manual

Understanding Forage Quality (2001) - NFTA (The National Forage Testing Association)

The Future of Alfalfa Forage Quality Testing in Hay Markets (2006) by Daniel H. Putnam, Dan Undersander

Forage Quality Testing and Markets: Where are we Going? (2004) - 34th California Alfalfa & 2004 National Alfalfa Symposium

Don't abuse that hay test! by Daniel H. Putnam - Hay & Forage Grower Magazine

Evaluating Hay for Horses: Myths and Realities (1998) by Laurie Lawrence - 28th California Alfalfa Symposium

What are Dairy Nutritionists Looking for in Alfalfa Hay? (1998) by Peter H. Robinson - 28th California Alfalfa Symposium
Economics and Marketing
Hay Market News and Transportation Data Website
Current Cost for California Commodities

Alfalfa Marketing and Economics (2008) - Irrigated Alfalfa Manual

Annual Alfalfa Hay Cumulative California Market Summary (2009) - USDA-AMS

Coexistence for Organic Alfalfa Seed and Hay Markets (2008) -NAFA (National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance)

Coexistence for Alfalfa Hay Export Markets (2008) - NAFA (National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance)

Coexistence for Alfalfa Seed Export Markets (2008)

Issues With GMO Alfalfa in the Marketplace (2004) by William T. W. Woodward

Annual Alfalfa Hay Cumulative California Market Summary (2008) - USDA-AMS
Biotechnology and Roundup Ready Alfalfa
New Technology for Alfalfa (2012) by Mark McCaslin and Peter Reisen - California Alfalfa & Grains Symposium 2012

What are the Available Tools for Co-Existence of genetically engineered and non-genetically engineered Alfalfa? (2011)

A Survey of Growers on GE Crops and Coexistence (2011) by Dan Putnam and Steve Orloff

Roundup Ready Alfalfa, What Have we Learned to Date? (2011) by Steve Orloff and Dan Putnam

Questions and Answers: Roundup Ready Alfalfa Deregulation (2011) - UCANR Publication

Biotechnology 101: What You Need to Know in a Few Minutes (2004) by Peggy G. Lemaux
Organic Alfalfa
Producing Alfalfa Hay Organically (2008) by Rachael F. Long, Roland D. Meyer, Steve B. Orloff - Irrigated Alfalfa Manual

Coexistence for Organic Alfalfa Seed and Hay Markets (2008) -NAFA (National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance)

Sample Costs to Establish and Produce Organic Alfalfa Hay (2007) - UC Cooperative Extension
Environment
Alfalfa, Wildlife, and the Environment: The Importance and Benefits of Alfalfa in the 21st Century (2001) - CAFA

Will the Public Recognize the Environmental Benefits of Alfalfa? (2004) by Daniel H. Putnam

Mitigating Water Quality Concerns: How the Alfalfa Industry Might Respond (2003) by Daniel H. Putnam

Happy Cows, Happy Environment: Its the Manure (2001) by Stuart Pettygrove, Alison Eagle

The Environmental Impacts of Nitrogen Fixation by Alfalfa (2004) by Michael Russelle
Manures and Alfalfa
Lagoon Water, Manures, and Biosolids Applied to Alfalfa (2008) - Irrigated Alfalfa Manual

Happy Cows, Happy Environment: Its the Manure (2001) by Stuart Pettygrove, Alison Eagle
Seed Production
Alfalfa Seed Production in California (2008) by Shannon C. Mueller - Irrigated Alfalfa Manual

Best Management Practices for Roundup Ready Alfalfa Seed Production (2008) - NAFA (National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance)

Producing Quality Alfalfa Seed for the Forage Industry (2008) by Shannon C. Mueller

Seed Production Issues For Genetically Enhanced Alfalfa (2004) by Shannon C. Mueller
Grass and Forages
Cool Season Perennial Grass Trial 2006-2008 by Chris DeBen

TEF Yields as Influenced by N Rate 2006-2008 by Chris DeBen

Ammonia Volatilization in Grass Forages (2011) by Richard E. Muk
Corn Silage
Breeding and Managing the Ideal Corn Silage Hybird: A Retrospective and Direction for Progress by J.G. Lauer

Optimizing Agronomic Practices for Corn Silage by Jeremy Groeteke
Sorghum Forage
Advantages of Forage Sorghum for Silage in Limited Input Systems (2011) by Mark A. Marsalis

Challenges and Benefits of Interseeding Legumes Into Grass Dominated Stands (2011)

The Potential For Teff as an Alternative Forage Crop for Irrigated Regions (2011)