National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance - UC Agriculture and Natural ...

2007 California Alfalfa SeedProduction SymposiumMarch 5-6, 2007National Alfalfa and Forage Alliance(NAFA)Update

Why NAFA?• Alfalfa/Forages represent the third most valuable crop in theU.S.• Often our message has been fragmented– Each state delivering their own– Limited resources• NAFA wants to work with you to create a much strongernational “voice” for alfalfa/forages, to increase focus andeffectiveness, coupled with adequate financial support toincrease likelihood of success.• NAFA is broadening it’s membership to include state andregional forage/hay associations and allied industries.– Grower associations help give political legitimacy and national scope.– Allied industries will increase financial support.

National Alfalfa & Forage AllianceNAFA BOARD OF DIRECTORSForage Growers4 RepsSeed Growers4 RepsBreeding Co.4 RepsAllied Industry4 RepsUniversity/Ext.Ex OfficioCaliforniaAlfalfa andForage AssnIdahoPaul FreyCal West SeedsDennis GehlerCroplan GeneticsDan UndersanderUniv. of WisconsinMidwestForageAssnWashingtonSteve StrachotaDairylandDick CarterWestern AGEnterprisesIrv MermelsteinIntertapee PolymerWA State HayGrowersAssn.CaliforniaMark McCaslinForage GeneticsImplementNeal MartinU.S. Dairy ForageResearch CenterNebraska AlfalfaMarketing Assn.MontanaJohn LyonsPioneer –A Dupont Co.ChemicalDan PutnamUniv. of Calif./Davis

NAFA Procedures• New organization established April 6, 2006• Board of Directors elects officers• NAFA Administration – Co-Executive Directors– Rod Christensen – Administrative– Beth Nelson – Legislative/Regulatory• Funding– NAA funds carried over– Dues from Seed Growers, Genetic Suppliers– Dues structure for allied industry members – SeedMarketers and others.

Basic Governing Principles• Primary purpose is POLITICAL advocacy• Each segment provides input into policydevelopment• Each segment has VETO power over policythey determine to be a conflict of interestwith their own organization’s positions• Resulting policy will be supportable byALL four segments

Policy as Adopted Dec. 12, 2007• An environmental payment thatcommodity program producers wouldreceive for including alfalfa/forage in theirrotations• Research funding to explore celluloseethanol from alfalfa and other potentialnew uses.

$21,040,707,000$16,927,898,000$12,491,263,000$ 7,140,357,000

Major Cash Crop30-40% sold off the farm from where it was grown!Increases YieldCrops following alfalfa yield 10-15% more than ifthey follow themselves!Breaks Disease & Insect InfestationsImproves Soil StructureHelps plant growth and water infiltration!Fertilizer SavingsReplaces fertilizer required by a following crop!

Prevents ErosionDeep roots hold soil in place andreduce soil loss by as much as 93%!

Reduces RunoffKeeps pesticide and sediment outof our waterways!Reduces Pesticide UsePesticide usage far lower than other crops!Reduces Energy Needs1 plowed alfalfa crop = apx. 100 lbs of nitrogen/acre!That’s 292,000 tons of anhydrous ammonia saved!8 trillion BTUs of fossil fuel from natural gas!

Potential Health BenefitsRich source of phenolic compounds(lutein and anti-oxidants)!Biofuel PotentialAlfalfa ligno-cellulose is a perfectbi-product/substrate for biofuels!Cleans Contaminated SitesHigh protein content helps clean up nitrogen!Reduces Particles in the AirReleases only a small fraction of particlescompared to other crops!Preserves Ozone in the AtmosphereSequesters large amounts of carbon dioxide!

Web Site• www.alfalfa.org– All publications– Meeting notices– Mission Statement & Objectives– Board Members– Statistics