Hi-Gest® 360 Low Lignin Alfalfa

Description

Hi-Gest® 360 Low Lignin Alfalfa is a product of conventional plant breeding and maintains the yield, persistence and multiple pest resistance package of today’s elite commercial varieties. Hi-Gest® 360 alfalfa plants are medium tall, with a dense canopy of fine stems and large leaves with a high leaf to stem ratio. The whole plant lignin of Hi-Gest 360 Low lignin alfalfa will be 7-10% lower than non-selected elite commercial varieties. Actual on-farm reduction will be dependent on harvest management and the comparison variety. Hi-Gest 360 Low lignin alfalfa is a fall dormancy 3 variety and has a 1.5 winter survival rating. Highly resistant to Anthracnose, Aphanomyces root rot races 1 and 2, Bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt, Phytophthora root rot and Verticillium wilt. A Grand Champion forage at the 2015 World Forage Analysis Superbowl.  Hi-Gest Low Lignin Alfalfa Technology positively impacts the relationship between yield, quality and time.  Seed is pre-inoculated.

Suggested seeding rates:  Seed 18-22 lbs/acre alone, 6-15 lbs/acre in a mixed stand.

Approx. seeds/lb.:  227,000

Seeding depth:  Seed ¼” to ½” deep in a firm, moist seedbed.

Ave. Emergence time (days):  7

Preferred soils:  Well-drained soils with balanced fertility and a pH of 6.8 to 7.0.  Fields should be free of perennial weeds and any herbicide carryover.  Fields should not have been in alfalfa in the previous year to avoid any alfalfa autotoxicity problems.

Management suggestions:  Use 25-30 units of N at seeding on coarse textured soils with low organic matter, 20-35 lbs N/acre if seeded with a companion crop and 40-55 lbs N/acre if companion will be harvested as silage.  May be planted in spring or late summer.  More specific recommendations for planting, growing, fertilizing and harvesting are available upon request.