Most farmers would laugh if someone suggested growing a wheat or canola variety developed in the 1960s, but when it comes to alfalfa, some still ask for just that.
To maximize your hay yields, choosing high-performing, well-adapted genetics is crucial. BrettYoung offers Western Canada’s best alfalfa lineup that features a range of unique products from North America’s top breeders, delivering you the latest genetics and highest productivity.
New alfalfa varieties offer several improved characteristics, but there are two major areas that commonly distinguish new genetics from older varieties.
Winterhardiness #
Winterhardiness a key characteristic breeders have worked with to significantly improve alfalfa productivity in colder climates.
In older alfalfa varieties, winterhardiness was closely correlated to fall dormancy, so growers had to grow varieties that went dormant early in the fall so they could survive the winter. In newer alfalfa varieties, though, breeders have been able to increase the winterhardiness of less dormant alfalfa varieties. These varieties start growing earlier in the spring and continue growing later into the fall, significantly increasing plant productivity.
Improvements in winterhardiness now allows growers in Western Canada to plant varieties with a fall dormancy rating of three or four, compared to older varieties, which had fall dormancy ratings of two or three, increasing overall stand productivity without sacrificing winter survival.
Disease Resistance #
The second major area of improvement in new alfalfa varieties is disease resistance. Just like other crops, alfalfa breeders are in a constant battle to develop new sources of resistance to protect plants from evolving diseases. Diseases in alfalfa often go unnoticed, especially when they attack the plant roots, but they can significantly impact an alfalfa stand. Older varieties don’t carry the same resistance as new ones, making them more susceptible diseases, which results in significant yield losses and reduced persistence.
BrettYoung’s Alfalfa Lineup #
BrettYoung’s alfalfa lineup is packed with a range of products that have characteristics to meet every farm’s distinct needs. Some of our varieties include salt tolerance, multifoliate expression, traffic tolerance, unique rooting habits, and improved digestibility, among other benefits.
We also offer Blend 4440, our premier certified alfalfa blend for the Canadian Prairies. Blend 4440 is a unique blend of our best alfalfa varieties to ensure your stand offers peak performance across a range of growing conditions.
| Intended Use | Variety | Rooting Habit | Key Features | Fall Dormancy Rating | Winterhardiness Rating |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Hay | Ace | Tap root | – Top forage yields – Premium quality – Aggressive regrowth delivering multiple cuts | 4.0 | 1.5 |
| Hay | Dynamo | Tap root | – High multifoliate expression – Max tonnage and regrowth – Exceptional forage quality | 4.0 | 1.9 |
| Hay | Reload | Branch root | – Tolerance to saturated soils – Improved root protection & durability – Long and persistent stand life | 3.6 | 1.6 |
| Hay | Blend 4440 | Mixed | – Blend of certified varieties – Widely adapted – High yield potential – Excellent winterhardiness – Disease resistance | 3.5 | 1.8 |
| Hay | Barricade II | Tap root | – Next-generation salt tolerance – Improved establishment & vigour in saline conditions – Excellent winterhardiness | 4.0 | 1.9 |
| Hay | Stronghold | Tap root | – Excellent yield and quality – Superior winterhardiness with low dormancy – Excellent disease resistance | 3.0 | 1.3 |
| Hay | Surge HG | Tap root | – Hi-Gest™ Alfalfa Technology – Improved fibre digestion and crude protein – More pounds of milk per cow | 4.0 | 1.7 |
| Hay & Pasture | Shift | Tap root & deep set crown | – High traffic tolerance due to deep-set crown – High forage yield – Excellent disease resistance package – High level of multifoliate expression | 3.0 | 1.4 |
| Hay & Pasture | Foothold | Creeping root & deep set crown | – High traffic tolerance due to oversized crown – High leaf-to-stem ratio – Excellent winterhardiness & disease resistance | 2.0 | 1.7 |
For more information or to help select the best alfalfa variety for your farm contact your local BrettYoung Regional Account Manager.
