“We are extremely pleased with the response to our inaugural request for proposals and the results of our first round of checkoff funding,” said Beth Nelson, National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance (NAFA) president. “We concentrated funding on projects we believe will have a beneficial economic impact on alfalfa farmers across the country.”

Better known as the Alfalfa Checkoff, NAFA’s USAFRI initial request for proposals garnered an impressive response, generating a whopping 34 research proposals requesting more than $1.4 million, demonstrating the high demand among researchers for alfalfa-related research funding. Proposals covered a wide range of topics intended to drive innovation and profitability in the alfalfa industry, as well as a broad geographic area. Research projects in California, Minnesota, Mississippi, New Mexico, New York, Washington and Wisconsin are being funded. Project objectives can be viewed on the NAFA website:

• Maximizing alfalfa’s yield potential
  • Charles Brummer, University of California – Davis
• Developing high yielding and high-quality varieties and cropping systems for high salinity conditions
  • Dan Putnam, University of California – Davis
• Enhancing alfalfa yields and stand life by improving management of seed rot and seedling damping off
  • Deborah Samac, USDA Agricultural Research Service
• Evaluating progress in alfalfa forage quality improvement
  • Craig Sheaffer, University of Minnesota
• Impact of poultry litter application on yield and quality of alfalfa grown in Mississippi
  • Brett Rushing, Mississippi State University
• Evaluation of the efficacy of various herbicides for control of broadleaf and buckhorn plantain in alfalfa
  • Leslie Beck, New Mexico State University
• Developing practical phosphorus and potassium tissue test recommendations and utilizing struvite in modern alfalfa systems
  • Steve Norberg, Washington State University
• Integrated pest management and pollinator protection on alfalfa produced for seed
  • Doug Walsh, Washington State University
• The impact of tedding on the economic production of alfalfa silage
  • Matt Digman, University of Wisconsin – River Falls

Project funding was determined by a NAFA board-appointed panel, which reviewed, scored and discussed proposals to determine which projects best met NAFA’s established research priorities, including: yield improvement; cutting management strategies; fertility, soil management, soil health, macro/micro nutrients; forage quality improvements; weed management strategies; and insect management strategies. Additionally, proposals were scored on methodology and analytical approaches, industry need, cost effectiveness/budget/matching funds, partnerships and outreach.  

—From National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance news release