2024 Consolidated Appropriations Act Provides $4 Million for ASAFS

NAFA's effort to enhance alfalfa research at the federal level continues to pay dividends. The "Consolidated Appropriations Act, 2024," was passed by Congress and signed into law earlier this month and provides $4 million in funding for the Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Systems Research Program (ASAFS).

NAFA representatives underscored to lawmakers the critical need for research funding for the alfalfa industry. In fact, NAFA’s effort to procure research funding began with the 2008 Farm Bill in which it was successful in securing language authorizing the ASAFS and the language was maintained in the 2014 and 2018 Farm Bills.

In 2014, thanks to Senator Jerry Moran (R-KS), $1.35 million in funding for the ASAFS was included in the FY ´14 budget reconciliation bill. Since that time, funding has steadily increased to its current level of $4 million.

The increases in research funding contained the the FY'24 Consolidated Appropriations Bill represents continued progress in NAFA's ongoing effort to bring much needed support and recognition to the nation's alfalfa community.

ASAFS Request for Applications Now Open!

The Alfalfa Seed and Alfalfa Forage Systems Research Program (ASAFS) recently released its Request for Applications for Fiscal Year 2024. The application deadline is May 2. The maximum individual award is $300.000 per year for a maximum of 3 years. To view a copy of the current RFA, please click here.

Are you a member of the alfalfa community and have a great idea for an alfalfa research project? If so, we'd strongly encourage you to collaborate with the alfalfa researchers at your nearest land grant university to discuss submitting a proposal. We would like to see as many proposals submitted as possible which address some of the industry's most critical research needs. If you need help in finding the apporpriate alfalfa researcher to discuss your idea, please feel free to contact the NAFA office to help put you in touch with the appropriate researchers.

The current ASAFS RFA focuses on: 1) Increasing alfalfa forage and seed yields and forage quality through improved management practices, plant breeding, and other strategies to reduce biotic and abiotic stresses and costs of production; 2) Improving alfalfa forage and seed harvest and storage systems, including automation that reduces labor costs, to optimize economic returns to alfalfa producers as well as end-users including milk producers; 3) Developing methods to estimate alfalfa forage yield and quality to support marketing as a livestock feed and instruments to reduce producer risks; 4) Exploring new uses for alfalfa such as in fish feeds, nutritive supplements, alternative protein sources for human consumption, high-value chemical manufacturing, or other novel uses; 5) Developing improved insect, disease and weed management strategies, including spotted aphid in alfalfa seed production and potential herbicide carry-over issues; and 6) Documenting the contribution of alfalfa production systems to climate-smart agriculture, including the sequestration of carbon.

Protecting the Soil While Being Profitable: Why Alfalfa is the Perfect Continuous Cover
Legacy Seeds

When corn and soybean farmers think of protecting their soil from erosion and nutrient loss, cover crops are likely one of the first options that come to mind.

But a recent study by the University of Minnesota (UMN) found that continuous living crops not only provide the same environmental benefits, they also increase farm net return. Alfalfa is one of the best continuous living crops because it’s often more profitable than corn and soybeans, has a high protein content, and does not require synthetic nitrogen. There’s also the potential for increased demand due to growing and new markets, like pasture-raised beef and alternative protein. Click here for the complete article.

Research Funding, Crop Insurance Among Topics in Focus at NAFA's DC Fly-In

NAFA representatives descended on Washington, DC, in early February for its DC Fly-In, the first such gathering since 2020, to discuss NAFA’s Farm Bill priorities and the need for research funding for the nation’s fourth most valuable field crop. The three-day event encompassed nearly 100 meetings and kept NAFA members busy building awareness and recognition for the alfalfa industry. NAFA Fly-In participants met with agency officials, regulators, and members and staff of the House and Senate Ag and Ag Appropriations Committees. Click here for the complete article.

Crop Protection Tools, Pollinators Discussed at EPA Meeting

NAFA representatives met with EPA officials on its recent DC Fly-In to discuss both crop protection tools and pollinators, both of which are integral to alfalfa seed and hay production.

Alfalfa seed farmers rely heavily on alkali and leafcutter bees to pollinate their crop and are diligent in ensuring their safety. While crop protection tools are necessary to ward off harmful pests, bee safety is a top priority.

In addition to demonstrating to EPA the lengths to which they go to ensure the safety of their bees, alfalfa seed farmers sought to maintain access to critical crop protection tools for alfalfa seed production.

For many years, the partnership between EPA, NAFA, State Departments of Agriculture, and alfalfa seed farmers has allowed for the growth and prosperity of the alfalfa industry, while at the same time have protected essential and sensitive bees which are critical to the successful production of alfalfa seed. Continuing to cultivate and enhance this relationship is an ongoing priority for NAFA.

NAFA Representatives Meet with NRCS Officials

As part of its recent DC Fly-In, NAFA President Beth Nelson and a contingent of NAFA Directors met with NRCS Associate Chief Louis Aspey and NRCS National Agronomist Betsy Dierberger to promote greater utilization of alfalfa in NRCS conservation programs to take advantage of the myriad of environmental benefits it offers. Discussions centered around national implementation of the inclusion of "Short Term Perennial" option for its 328 Practice for Conservation Crop Rotation - an option which has already been added in Minnesota and Michigan for 2024.

NRCS helps America’s farmers and ranchers conserve the nation’s soil, water, air and other natural resources with programs that are voluntary and offer science-based solutions that benefit both the landowner and the environment. No other crop accomplishes those goals better than alfalfa.

NAFA Stresses the Importance of Revenue-Based Crop Insurance to RMA and NASS Officials

In an effort to continue its push for the creation of a revenue-based crop insurance program for alfalfa farmers, NAFA representatives met with officials of both USDA's Risk Managment Agency (RMA) and National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS).

At its RMA meeting, NAFA met with with RMA Administrator Macia Bunger, RMA Associate Administrator Heather Manzana, and RMA Chief of Staff Toby Cain to stress the need for a crop insurance program for alfalfa farmers which protects them against losses in revenue, not just yield as is the case with the current APH policy. Since weather-related events often cause dramatic losses in alfalfa quality but not necessarily losses in yield, farmers are prevented from filing claims for losses. Farmers instead should be able to insure themselves against losses in revenue similar to RMA programs available to farmers of other program crops.

NAFA representatives also met with NASS Administrator Hubert Hamer to urge its collection and reporting of “premium grade alfalfa prices” in addition to the “all alfalfa hay price” currently being reported, and to expand its alflafa price reporting data to include the Southeast in its crop production reporting. Doing so would help provide critical pricing data needed to create a revenue-based alfalfa crop insurance policy to ensure farmers have the safety net they need to produce alfalfa.

Importance of Swath Width When
Harvesting Forage
Forage Genetics International

Alfalfa is about 75% water when mowed. It must be dried to 13-14% moisture for baling or 60-65% moisture for making silage. This means approximately 5.7 tons water/acre must be removed for making hay or 4.8 tons water/acre for making silage if expected dry matter yields are 2 tons/acre.

The additional consideration is the first 15% of water needs to be removed quickly (for either hay or silage making) to reach 60% moisture or less to minimize starch and sugar loss due to respiration. If this initial drying process is prolonged, then unnecessary amounts of readily digestible carbohydrates can be lost, lowering the overall nutritional value of the forage.

The most important factor in drying forage is sunlight. If we make a wide swath, we are increasing the surface area of the forage that is exposed to sunlight, increasing the drying process. If hay is put immediately into a windrow, only a fraction of the sunlight is used to dry the forage and the remainder is covered by other forage or falls onto the soil. Click here for the complete article.

Insights from the Hill

In an effort to keep our members informed of recent legislative activities on Capitol Hill, here are a few newsworthy nuggets of note:

• Senate Agriculture Committee Leaders Express Hopefulness for 2024 Farm Bill, but Negotiations Continue – The leaders of the Senate Agriculture Committee last week appeared at an event hosted by Agri-Pulse, sharing updates on the current status of the forthcoming Farm Bill. Senate Agriculture Committee Chairwoman, Senator Debbie Stabenow (D-MI), who is retiring at the end of this Congress, continued to stress that she would not agree to any changes to SNAP or climate programs. Both the Chairwoman and the Committee’s Ranking Member, Senator John Boozman (R-AR), expressed hopefulness for the Farm Bill’s future yet this Congress. Senator Boozman stated, “… I do know how important [the Farm Bill] is. And I do know how important it is for rural America to give our farmers stability. So we're working in good faith... All these things will come together. Click here for the complete article.

Member Spotlight - Anderson Hay & Grain

"Member Spotlight" brings into focus NAFA's valuable supporters. NAFA is fortunate to have many dedicated members/supporters which make the work we do to support the alfalfa and forage industry possible, and Anderson Hay & Grain is one of them.

For over 60 years, Anderson Hay has been a pillar in the hay industry. Founded in 1960 by Clarence and Ron Anderson in Ellensburg, Washington, the company began as a simple hay-buying business. Their dedication to quality and building strong relationships with farmers quickly propelled them forward.

By the 1970s, Anderson Hay & Grain Company was reaching a global audience, with their first international hay shipments going to Japan. This pioneering spirit continued through the decades, with Mark Anderson joining the family business in the 1980s. Under Mark's leadership, Anderson Hay expanded its reach further and even received the Governor's Trader of the Year Award for its commitment to innovation and community service.

A Strong Supporter of North American Farmers. Anderson Hay's success is deeply rooted in the agricultural community. They remain a family-owned business, sourcing top-quality hay from family farms around the region. Their commitment extends beyond their own operations, as evidenced by their dedicated support of the National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance (NAFA).

Longstanding NAFA Supporter. Anderson Hay recognizes the vital role NAFA plays in supporting North American forage producers. Their contributions help ensure the continued success and well-being of countless farms across the continent.

Shared Values. Anderson Hay shares NAFA's commitment to excellence within the alfalfa and forage industry. They believe in fostering a strong agricultural community and supporting initiatives that benefit all participants.

Anderson Hay's story is one of dedication, innovation, and a deep respect for the agricultural community. Their ongoing support of NAFA exemplifies their ongoing commitment to the success of North American forage farmers. NAFA is pleased to spotlight Anderson Hay and is grateful for its support of NAFA and the alfalfa and forage community and farmers across the country.

"Alfalfa is the fourth most important economic field crop in the US and a major feed source that supports milk production and several other livestock industries. Moreover, alfalfa is key to sustainable agricultural systems due to several attributes that enable the improvement and protection of the soil, together with other ecosystem services. However, the reported average yield of alfalfa for US farms is well below the potential of what growers could produce. Closing this yield gap will mean more farm profitability and more environmental benefits."

View the "quick read" 2-page summary here; full report here.

All CHECKOFF/ASAFS/APRI final reports and current project objectives can be found on NAFA's website at http://alfalfa.org/research.php in a convenient searchable database. Be sure to check out the "quick read" 2-page summaries.