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Inaugural alfalfa checkoff to launch this fall

A new checkoff for alfalfa is set to begin in September.  The national, voluntary program will allocate $1 per bag sold.  Beth Nelson, president of the National Alfalfa & Forage Alliance (NAFA) says alfalfa is the third most valuable field crop but is the only one without a checkoff program.

The program was approved by the organization’s board in February.  Nelson says if everyone participated in the program, it could generate $800,000 to support public alfalfa research for increased yields, water utilization, and new storage or harvest systems.

The $1/bag assessment will be made on any product that is at least 80 percent alfalfa.