Alfalfa is a key economic crop in all 11 Western states. In this paper we examine historical factors and key recent ‘megatrends’ which will likely impact alfalfa in the future. Acreage, yield, and production has mostly been static over the past 20 years, but the importance of alfalfa and other forages is thought to be increasing, given high world demand and increases in Western dairy herds. Key trends include a rise in emphasis on forage quality and testing, the advent of genetically engineered alfalfa, emerging pests such as aphid infestations and stem nematode. The economic and environmental health of the Western dairy sector is certainly of concern. Water restrictions, cost of production, availability, and quality are undoubtedly the most important limiting factor for alfalfa for the future, as well as a need to increase yields and improve consistency of forage quality testing. Researchable issues include development of salt resistance and drought tolerance, irrigation management approaches, improved IPM techniques, and forage quality evaluation. The lack of grower and USDA support for research is noted as a key limiting factor for the future of forage crops.

Interseeding legumes into grass-dominated stands can benefit pasture and hay producers by increasing the yield and quality of forage they produce and reducing their need for inputs of nitrogen fertilizer. The challenge is to get the legumes established given the competition from existing vegetation. This study confirmed that suppressing the grasses with glyphosate prior to seeding results in the most consistent legume establishment. Close mowing to simulate heavy grazing generally did not result in improved establishment. Of the 5 legumes evaluated, alfalfa established the best in the glyphosate treatment in Colorado, increasing yield by over a ton per acre. In Idaho, establishment was more variable with red clover establishing well regardless of suppression treatment. No legumes established at the Oregon site due to heavy rodent activity. This study highlighted the importance of suppressing the existing grasses and choosing a vigorous legume species for interseeding to reduce the risk of seeding failure.

About 40% of the alfalfa hay in the United States is produced in the 11 western US states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. This region also supplies the vast majority of the seed for the nation’s alfalfa plantings, and it contributes significantly to exports of alfalfa hay and seed. Western states played a crucial historical role during the development of alfalfa in the United States, as alfalfa moved from West to East in the latter half of the 19 Century. A present-day survey of western states showed a wide variety of production practices in these states, ranging from 2 to 10 cuts/year, from very dormant to very nondormant varieties grown on soils from heavy clays to beach sands. Respondents reported water and irrigation management as key limiting factors. All but one state reported that the importance of alfalfa was increasing in their state. Alfalfa is likely to remain a key crop or increase in importance in these states due to the ascendancy of the dairy industry in the West.

About 40% of the alfalfa hay in the United States is produced in the 11 western US states of Arizona, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, and Wyoming. This region also supplies the vast majority of the seed for the nation's alfalfa plantings, and it contributes significantly to exports of alfalfa hay and seed. Western states played a crucial historical role during the development of alfalfa in the United States, as alfalfa moved from West to East in the latter half of the 19th Century. A present-day survey of western states showed a wide variety of production practices in these states, ranging from 2 to 10 cuts/year, from very dormant to very non- dormant varieties grown on soils from heavy clays to beach sands. Respondents reported water and irrigation management as key limiting factors. All but one state reported that the importance of alfalfa was increasing in their state. Alfalfa is likely to remain a key crop or increase in importance in these states due to the ascendancy of the dairy industry in the West.