NAFA Board Meeting Scheduled for June 27-29 in Milwaukee, WI

The National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance (NAFA) has scheduled its summer board meeting for June 27-29 in Milwaukee, WI. While there board members will tour the facilities of NAFA member Monsanto BioAg. Make plans now to attend! NAFA board meetings are open to all NAFA members. If you're interested in attending, please email the NAFA office so we have an accurate count for meals & tour transportation at nafa@comcast.net.

What is Lignin and How Does It Impact Alfalfa Quality and Yield?
Mark McCaslin, Forage Genetics International

Alfalfa is an excellent source of fiber and an energy-rich, high-quality protein source, making it a staple ingredient in most dairy cow diets. When it comes to harvesting this versatile crop, the dilemma often faced is whether to harvest early to maximize forage quality, but sacrifice yield OR harvest later for higher forage yield, but lower forage quality. However, new options may alleviate the need to choose between tonnage and quality. Click here for the complete article.

Drought, Salt Tolerance in Alfalfa the Focus of Scientists at USDA’S ARS

The Agricultural Research Service’s (ARS) Forage & Range Research Lab in Logan, UT, is enhancing resistance in alfalfa to drought and high salinity through the use of molecular markers. The work, led by a team of researchers headed by Michael Peel, has two primary objectives: 1) to develop diverse alfalfa populations to identify genes conditioning drought/salt tolerance; and 2) to develop molecular markers and strategies for the selection of drought and salt tolerant alfalfa and breeding for superior varieties with drought and salt resistance. Click here for the complete article.