Six Projects Funded Through NAFA’s Alfalfa Checkoff |
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Projects Funded from California to VirginiaThis item has been supplied by a forage marketer and has not been edited, verified or endorsed by Hay & Forage Grower.The U.S. Alfalfa Farmer Research Initiative (USAFRI), better known as the Alfalfa Checkoff, recently awarded its 7th round of funding to projects submitted by researchers from across the country. Researchers in six states were awarded funding. “NAFA’s Alfalfa Checkoff program continues to fund much-needed research into a wide range of topics within the alfalfa community,” said Beth Nelson, NAFA President. “Just as we anticipated when we began the program, we’re engaging many new researchers who are eager to work on alfalfa.” NAFA’s Alfalfa Checkoff request for proposals generated 15 research projects from a broad geographic area, stretching from California to Virginia, demonstrating continued demand among researchers for alfalfa research funding. Proposals addressed a wide range of topics intended to drive innovation and profitability in the alfalfa industry - from developing an app for smart irrigation scheduling to evaluating non-fiber carbohydrates in alfalfa. Research projects in California, Georgia, Montana, New Mexico, Virginia, and Wisconsin were funded. They include: (project objectives can be viewed on the NAFA website):
The NAFA review committee selected projects that best met established research priorities, including: feed value consistency (i.e., harvest, storage, digestibility, sampling); forage quality improvements; new uses and market development; and yield improvements. Proposals were scored on methodology/analytical approaches; industry need; cost effectiveness/budget/matching funds; partnerships; and outreach. The Alfalfa Checkoff call for proposals is released twice a year, in May with proposals due in June, and in November with proposals due in December. Final reports continue to roll in and reveal important data and information. Those reports are available at http://alfalfa.org/USAFRI_FinalReports.php. Be sure to bookmark this page and continue to monitor it for continuing results throughout the year. NAFA strongly encourages alfalfa farmers to patronize participating alfalfa seed brands to support the Alfalfa Checkoff: Alfalfa Partners – S&W Seed Alforex Seeds America's Alfalfa Channel CROPLAN DEKALB Dyna-Gro Fontanelle Hybrids Forage First FS Brand Alfalfa Gold Country Seed Hubner Seed Jung Seed Genetics Kruger Seeds Latham Hi-Tech Seeds Legacy Seeds Lewis Hybrids NEXGROW Pioneer Prairie Creek Seed Rea Hybrids Simplot Grower Solutions Specialty Stewart Stone Seed W-L Research (If your favorite alfalfa brand is not on the list, contact NAFA at 651.484.3888 for information on how a seed marketer can become a participating brand.) |