Alfalfa Alfalfa has the highest combined yield and quality potential of any adapted perennial forage grown in Ohio. It is the state's largest single hay crop, being grown on about one-half of the total hay acres. To capitalize on alfalfa's potential, select high-yielding varieties with resistance to problem diseases.
Yield is the major factor in determining profitability of an alfalfa stand.
Select varieties with high yields over several locations and years. Table 3 shows this comparison in percent of the mean. Varieties that perform equally well across several locations and years are probably adapted to a wider range of environmental conditions. Stable yield performance across several environments is important because soils may vary on your farm and weather conditions vary from year to year. Conditions on most farms are such that several varieties may perform equally well.