Ag Matters – Cornell University Develops Three New Varieties Of Alfalfa

Cornell University has developed three new varieties of Alfalfa specifically designed for New York farms.  Two fight pests, while the third offers a better root system to produce bigger yields.

is resistant to snout beetle which has decimated many alfalfa fields in northern NY.  In tests, it has provided a half ton per acre increase in yield when compared with non-resistant varieties in research trials.

 has resistance to potato leaf hopper. Potato leaf hopper feeding can cause as much as ½ ton/ac losses in yield combined with reduced protein content.

a creeping rooted variety that has a root system that swells and grows laterally helping it to grow under adverse conditions. This variety is suited for use in pastures to increase pasture longevity.