After a short hiatus as the alfalfa marketing world went through an engine overhaul, the Alfalfa Checkoff Program is set to resume on October 1. This is great news for the future of alfalfa.

The checkoff program will continue to be administered by the National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance (NAFA), which is comprised of state and regional alfalfa seed and alfalfa hay associations, genetic suppliers, seed marketers, farmers, and allied industry representatives.

Once the program is put back into motion, it will work similarly to how it previously was executed. Alfalfa seed marketers that choose to participate will collect $1.50 for each bag of alfalfa seed sold. The checkoff dollars will then be administered by NAFA and awarded as competitive research grants to help fund alfalfa research throughout the United States.

Prior to the pause in the program, the Alfalfa Checkoff Program had generated about $3 million dollars for research. By generating some of its own research funding, NAFA was able to help the alfalfa industry leverage additional federal research funding to the tune of $80 million. In turn, these new research funding sources have led to the hiring of previously vacant forage extension and research positions at our land-grant universities.

According to information provided by NAFA, “Alfalfa checkoff takes a comprehensive and planned approach to ensuring the future of the alfalfa industry through targeted research and promotion efforts. These efforts aim to solve today’s challenges and provide solutions for the future.”

To date and into the future, the alfalfa checkoff has provided otherwise unavailable funding to support research that enhances and verifies alfalfa’s benefits to both the land and to livestock. Research projects also explore production practices that result in improved yield and quality. Finally, projects meant to expand alfalfa’s market presence will help to ensure a strong and resilient alfalfa industry for the future.

Perhaps the best aspect of the Alfalfa Checkoff Program is that it brings farmers and industry personnel around the same table to assess priorities for moving the alfalfa industry forward. This process also gives alfalfa farmers a platform for communicating challenges the industry can seek to solve.

For all of the above reasons, the Alfalfa Checkoff Program is good — if not critical — for the future of alfalfa. NAFA is currently in the process of soliciting alfalfa seed marketers to participate in the relaunch and collect the $1.50 per bag. To date, committed brands are Alforex Seeds by DLF, America’s Alfalfa, Croplan, Forage First by DLF, Innvictis Seed Solutions, Legacy Seeds, Nexgrow, Alfalfa Partners - S&W, and W-L Alfalfas. These marketers are to be commended for their early leadership and participation; however, there are many more brands that could be and should be on this list.

NAFA, along with Hay & Forage Grower, encourage alfalfa growers to support those alfalfa seed retailers that are participating in the checkoff program, which is a win-win for those up and down the alfalfa marketing and production chain. If your alfalfa retailer doesn’t participate, encourage them to do so.