Weed Control Means Improved Alfalfa Yield And Higher-Quality Hay

Farmers who grow alfalfa now have a new way of controlling weeds and increasing yield: a breakthrough technology that delivers unsurpassed weed control and crop safety, while providing growers with an easy, flexible way to raise more higher-quality alfalfa.
Roundup Ready Alfalfa was developed by Monsanto in cooperation with Forage Genetics, Inc. Research shows that using Roundup® agricultural herbicides with Roundup Ready Alfalfa allows improved management practices that lead to better-quality hay. Benefits to growers and dairy operators include:
• Fewer Weeds. In trials against competitive herbicide systems, Roundup Ready Alfalfa had more consistent, high-quality hay.
• Better Feed. The system can help eliminate potentially toxic and low-quality weeds, producing a better feed product.
• Superior Crop Safety. Built-in tolerance means less potential crop injury when sprayed with Roundup agricultural herbicides compared with other herbicide systems.
• Trusted Brands. Use of an environmentally responsible weed-control system and an herbicide with a 30-year history of safe use.
"Stand establishment is critical for successful alfalfa production," explained Chris Peterson, Monsanto's marketing manager for Roundup Ready Alfalfa. "An early application of Roundup will provide excellent weed control, which will maximize stand establishment. This enables growers to produce cleaner, higher-quality forage with Roundup Ready Alfalfa, so they get more alfalfa yield."
In addition, the system provides growers with a wider application window than conventional herbicides, to allow more flexibility in their weed management practices.
"The introduction of Roundup Ready Alfalfa offers a great opportunity for growers-both those who currently use herbicides and those who don't," said Mark McCaslin, president of Forage Genetics, Inc. "The Roundup Ready Alfalfa system provides improved weed control, increased flexibility in timing of herbicide application and increased crop safety compared with alternative weed control strategies."
The United States regulatory agencies granted full approval to alfalfa containing the Roundup Ready trait for commerce within the United States, including approval for marketing and consumption as food, food ingredients and feed for livestock. These products also now have the necessary import approvals in Japan, Mexico and Canada.
Regulatory approval is still pending in Korea. As a result, exporters should avoid shipment of Roundup Ready Alfalfa hay or processed products to Korea. Test kits for hay, leaf and seed can be purchased from Strategic Diagnostics, Inc. (www.sdix.com or 800-544-8881) or from Enviro Logix (www.envirologix.com or 866-408-4597).
Monsanto Company (NYSE: MON) is a leading global provider of technology-based solutions and agricultural products that improve farm productivity and food quality. For more information, visit www.monsanto.com.
Forage Genetics, Inc. is a world leader in the development, production and marketing of value-added proprietary alfalfa germ plasm and traits.
Farmers may soon find that new technology in weed control could help improve crop yield and result in a higher quality of alfalfa hay.
Roundup Ready Alfalfa is for sale and distribution by authorized seed companies or their dealers in the United States only. This seed may not be planted outside of the United States, or for the production of sprouts or seed. Any product produced from a Roundup Ready Alfalfa crop or seed, including hay and hay products, may only be used, exported to, processed or sold in countries where regulatory approvals have been granted. It is a violation of national and international law to move material containing biotech traits across boundaries into nations where import is not permitted.
Not all Roundup® agricultural herbicides are approved for use over-the-top of Roundup Ready Alfalfa. Check with your Monsanto representative for the herbicide registration status in your state.
Always read and follow pesticide label directions. Roundup Ready® crops contain genes that confer tolerance to glyphosate, the active ingredient in Roundup® agricultural herbicides. Roundup® agricultural herbicides will kill crops that are not glyphosate tolerant. Roundup® and Roundup Ready® are registered trademarks of Monsanto Technology LLC. ©2006 Monsanto Company.