Cooperative Extension/ University of Wisconsin-Extension
College of Agricultural and
Life Sciences
Forage Extension and Research Program
Phone: 608-262-1390/1391
Fax:
608-262-5217
TO: Participants in University of
Wisconsin / Alfalfa and Red Clover Evaluation Programs
FROM: Dr. Dan Undersander
Extension
Forage Agronomist
RE: Alfalfa and Red Clover Variety Trials
Alfalfa Variety Trials
Alfalfa
trials will be established at three sites this season. Most sites will be on a
four cutting per year schedule. A variety may be entered in any or all of the
sites. To enter: fill out the form entitled WISCONSIN ALFALFA and RED
CLOVER PERFORMANCE TRIALS ( Adobe format WORD format)All
yield data including that from the seeding year will be sent to you. Data is
published in Extension publications for both seeding and production years. A variety
will appear in the Wisconsin Perennial Forage Update and newspaper supplements
if the following conditions are met:
a.
At least one production year from at
least three sites has been harvested.
b.
We have been told the variety is being
marketed by the developer.
c.
It has been entered in UW variety trials
as commercial seed as per recommendation of the Central Alfalfa Improvement
Conference.
d.
For varieties to remain in the Forage Variety Update
for Wisconsin once the initial trials have ended, they
must be re-entered in at least two sites.
For a listing of those varieties that will be dropped from the Update
unless re-entered, please go to this web page
e. Seed of marketed varieties must be from a 50
lb. commercially tagged bag obtained either from dealers according to the
protocol developed by the Central Alfalfa
Improvement Conference or via UPS shipment. For an explanation of this protocol, please go to this
web page.
RoundUp Ready Alfalfa Variety Trial
We
will be establishing a RoundUp Ready Alfalfa Variety
Trial at
WORD format)All yield data including that from the
seeding year will be sent to you. Data is published in Extension publications
for both seeding and production years.
Alfalfa Forage Quality Variety Trial
Alfalfa
forage quality testing will be done only
at the
Potato Leafhopper Resistance
Trials on Alfalfa
Potato
Leafhopper Resistance Trials on Alfalfa will be offered by the
Red Clover
A Red clover trial will be established if interest warrants. Fees for red clover are the same as for
alfalfa and may be combined into one check with alfalfa entries. To
enter: fill out the form entitled WISCONSIN ALFALFA and RED CLOVER
PERFORMANCE TRIALS ( Adobe format WORD format)
Eligibility of Entrants: Privately developed cultivars and experimental strains will be
accepted for fee-testing by the Agronomy Department and UW Extension Service.
This excludes blends. Cultivars should be adapted to the environment occurring
in
Experimental cultivars of
interest to
Locations of Tests: The tests will be conducted on locations in the state specified
in the application
forms.
Seed: Seed will be provided as follows:
Alfalfa:
Marketed Varieties: Only seed from a 50 lb. commercial bag either shipped or obtained
from dealers according to the protocol developed by the Central
Alfalfa Improvement Conference will be accepted for inclusion in the trials.
(To pick up a bag from a dealer, a voucher, the fee for each 50 lb. bag, and an
address of a dealer stocking the variety must be provided to Kevin Silveira,
We
will also accept UPS shipments provided that it is a 50 pound commercial bag
with tag information indicating Variety name,
Marketed Varieties that were entered last year: There is an alternative for those who will be
entering the same commercial varieties this season as they last season. A sufficient amount of seed was properly
stored for re-distribution this coming year.
Checks are still made out to "
Experimental Varieties: Only raw, untreated seed will be accepted for inclusion in the
trials. Seed should not be pre-inoculated. All seed will be inoculated with Rhizobia and (for alfalfa only) treated with Apron prior to
planting.
Red Clover:
Marketed and Experimental: Only raw, untreated seed will be accepted for
inclusion in the trials. Seed should not be pre-inoculated. All seed will be
inoculated with Rhizobia prior to planting.
Description of Tests:
Separate trials will be
conducted for marketed and experimental varieties of alfalfa. Entries will be
planted in replicated drilled plots, 3 x 20 feet or 4 x 15 feet. The center
2.75 to 4.0 feet (depending on harvesting machine) will be harvested for yield
and dry matter. Alfalfa will be harvested for three years (red clover for two
years) unless stands are depleted sooner. Data on other traits, such as stand
establishment and persistence, maturity, reaction to disease and insects, and
rate of recovery, will be taken when appropriate.
The Agronomy Department and
Entries: Application for testing will be made by company designation . The company is obligated to notify Kevin Silveira if the designation is changed. The information requested on the
application form is required.
Right to Reject: We reserve the right to restrict varieties. The right to restrict
or reject any application is reserved if:
1. The information requested
in the application is incomplete.
2. There is
misrepresentation.
3. The entry fee is not paid.
4. The strain has been
entered by another company.
5. The seed or application
arrives late.
6. Sufficient seed is not available
for trial.
7. Facilities or manpower are
not available.
Fees: Commercial distribution fee
is $260 per bag for new seed and $160 for last year’s bag. A fee of $550 per
entry, per location, is requested for each yield test entry. If sufficient entries
are not received to justify trial, the fee and seed will be returned.
Deadline for Entry: The applications, entry fee,
experimental alfalfa seed and red clover seed should be in possession of the
Agronomy Department by March 1.
Please make check payable to:
Check must be written in US dollars and drawn on a US bank
Completed applications and check is due by March 1 at:
Payment cannot be made online as of yet…it MUST be
mailed to Kevin Silveira at the address below
Dept. of Agronomy
Amount of Seed: The company will submit a minimum of 200 grams of properly
labeled seed for Red Clover (commercial
or experimental) and 150 grams of Alfalfa seed (experimental) per location for yield trials. (Alfalfa seed amounts are for experimental
entries only)
Use of Seed: The seed will be used for testing only, and will not be used
for increase, selection, or distribution by the testing station.
Publication of Results: The data will be statistically analyzed and summarized by the
Department each year. Each entrant will be furnished a report giving specific
performances as soon as data from all locations are available. A final report
will also be published and made available. The results will be published in
accordance with policies established by the Research Division, CALS, and the