Alfalfa is one of the world’s most versatile crops, growing in environments ranging from the cold northern prairies to the blistering western deserts. Alfalfa grows on soils ranging from beach sands to heavy clays. It can be grazed, fresh fed, baled, cubed, pelletized or turned into silage.

Ready or not, 2009 is already a month old and not getting any younger. Compared to the beginning of 2008, we have a very different set of parameters headed into this growing season.

What was the best and worst part of operating in 2008? “The best part for me was the weather. We didn’t have any rained- on hay, and the timing was good for all cuttings. Not too much went wrong with the year.

Alfalfa is the premier forage crop with high yield, high forage quality, season-long productivity, drought tolerance and extended stand life.

In this Forage Forum article, Pioneer alfalfa research director, Dave Miller, discusses how the genetics of alfalfa varieties are different than the other major crops and how they are tested.

Selling versus marketing
First, let’s make a distinction between selling and marketing. These two terms are frequently used interchangeably, but the processes are quite different. Selling is defined simply as the exchange or delivery of goods and services to a customer for a negotiated price.

On occasion, rain delays many folks from taking their first cutting of alfalfa.

As a buyer or seller of hay, what works for you? In the end, the buyer and seller are working towards a price that gives both a reasonable chance to make a living – a return for their share in labor, management, capital and risk.

Editor’s note: The following is the first in a series of interviews conducted with industry-leading professionals and educators. Progressive Forage Grower posed the following forward-thinking questions to individuals whose work plays a key role in moving forage production forward over the next several years. Dr. Neal Martin is the director of the U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center

A fellow once told me that in the course of hiring a new truck driver he made a point of walking by the man’s personal vehicle and looking inside.