Potato-leafhopper resistant alfalfa supports higher milk production than conventional alfalfa. That's according to a study by Land O'Lakes, Inc., and Cooperative Research Farms, Webster City, IA.
Thirty-one Holstein cows were fed a total mixed ration with the forage portion consisting of 50% alfalfa hay, 50% corn silage. The hay was either a leafhopper-resistant or a non-leafhopper-resistant alfalfa variety.
At milk prices of $12/cwt, cows fed the resistant alfalfa produced enough extra milk to increase return by 30›/cow/day. The biggest advantage was during the first five weeks of the 10-week trial.