Source: CropWatch

After years of testing, evaluating, and regulating, Roundup Ready® alfalfa finally has been approved. There is only enough seed for about 75,000 acres nationwide this fall, but greater availability is expected for next spring.

Roundup Ready alfalfa will only be in top-of-the-line varieties, which should limit yield drag. This was an issue for some when Roundup Ready soybeans were introduced.

Where will Roundup Ready alfalfa fit best? Well obviously, if you consistently have problems with weeds when establishing new stands, this will easily solve the problem. More often, though, I expect Roundup Ready alfalfa to help solve special problems like bluegrass in irrigated alfalfa or mustards and downy brome in spring growth. It also may help with curly dock or late season waterhemp or summer grasses like foxtail, crabgrass, and sandburs.

Because of the cost -- the tech fee is $2.50 per pound or $125 extra for a 50 lb bag of seed -- Roundup Ready alfalfa will be most suitable for use in higher value situations like dairy or horse hay. By eliminating weeds, it will be easier for growers to produce this hay and capitalize on these cash hay markets.

Roundup Ready also should help extend stand life by eliminating weeds, especially winter annual weeds, that hurt alfalfa stands the most. Roundup Ready alfalfa will not be right for everyone. Each grower will need to examine his or her situation and then decide if the investment is worth it.

Bruce Anderson
Extension Forage Specialist