Alfalfa variety dry matter yield, milk production (expressed as percent of  Vernal), RFQ  
index, CP and NDF (% dry matter), NDFD (% NDF);  2008 season totals and weighted averages.
Seeded in 2007, harvested in 2008 at Rosemount, MN        
Variety, listed in                 
descending order of  DM yield 1 Milk, (% of Vernal) 2 RFQ3, CP3, NDF3, NDFD4,
milk production Ton/ acre Lb/ acre Lb/ ton index % dm % dm % NDF Marketer
SPRINGGOLD 5.70 110 101 203 24.2 33.7 51.2 Renk Seed
TS-4027 5.76 110 100 205 24.9 33.2 51.3 Target Seed
TS-4007 5.65 108 100 206 24.9 33.2 51.6 Target Seed
6417 5.57 106 100 202 24.5 33.5 50.7 Garst Seed
WL 322 HQ 5.46 104 100 204 25.1 33.2 51.1 Check
CIMARRON 5.50 101 96 184 24.1 35.7 50.1 Check
VERNAL   5.27 100 100 201 24.6 34.0 51.9 Check
Vernal, actual values 5.27 17,200 3,270 201 24.6 34.0 51.9
Mean 5.56 106 100 201 24.6 33.8 51.1
LSD (0.05) ns 6 2 11 0.5 1.3 0.9
1  A seasonal 4-harvest total taken on 28 May, 30 June, 30 July and 5 September in 2008. 
Seeded in 2008, harvested in 2008 at Rosemount, MN        
Variety, listed in                 
descending order of  DM yield 1 Milk, (% of Vernal) 2 RFQ3, CP3, NDF3, NDFD4,
milk production Ton/ acre Lb/ acre Lb/ ton index % dm % dm % NDF Marketer
6431 2.71 107 102 204 21.9 33.6 49.1 Garst Seed
VELOCITY 2.55 103 104 214 22.0 32.7 50.3 NuTech Seed
VERNAL 2.61 100 100 192 21.6 34.8 48.4 Check
6415 2.45 99 105 222 22.5 31.7 50.7 Garst Seed
DKA43-13 2.44 99 105 217 22.2 32.2 50.2 Monsanto/DeKAlb
CIMARRON 2.53 97 100 193 21.6 34.7 48.0 Check
6417 2.33 96 107 226 22.3 31.2 51.1 Garst Seed
WL 322 HQ 2.37 96 105 218 23.2 31.7 49.9 Check
Vernal, actual values 2.61 8400 3240 192 21.6 34.8 48.4
Mean 2.50 100 104 211 22.2 32.8 49.7
LSD (0.05) ns 3 ns 15 0.6 1.8 1.9
1  A seasonal 2-harvest total taken on 10 July and 22 August in 2008. 
2  Milk production (pounds milk per acre and ton) are predicted using the MILK2006 spreadsheet,  
    version milk2006alfalfagrass, developed at the University of Wisconsin. 
3  RFQ=relative forage quality index; CP=% crude protein; and NDF=% neutral detergent fiber. 
    Variables expressed as average concentration for the season. 
4  NDFD=neutral detergent fiber digestibility, expressed as % NDF concentration.