The Ontario Forage Crops Committee (OFCC) is made up of representatives of Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, the Canadian Seed Growers Association, the Canadian Seed Trade Association, the Dairy Farmers of Ontario, the Ontario Cattlemen's Association, the Ontario Forage Council, the Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food, and Rural Affairs, the Ontario Soil and Crop Improvement Association, and the University of Guelph.

The OFCC reviews research work on forage species and uses this information to prepare production recommendations. As part of this effort, the committee evaluates under Ontario conditions the performance of experimental varieties of forages. Tests are conducted each year by the following co-operative agencies: The University of Guelph agricultural research stations at Elora, Kemptville, and New Liskeard, and the Thunder Bay Agricultural Research Station.

The OFCC test data for alfalfa varieties is included in the alfalfa variety database available through the University of Wisconsin's website. This is an interactive program which enables you to conduct a head-to-head comparison of two alfalfa varieties. Head-to-head comparisons can be performed using Ontario & all States or a subset thereof, and one or more seeding years.

Note that both varieties must be seeded together in the same trial in order to obtain a head-to-head comparison. Information displayed includes the stand age (1=seeding year, 2=first full production year, etc.), the number of trials, forage yields (Tons per acre), the yield of each variety as a percent of the trial mean, and, if possible, a head-to-head (side-by-side) comparison of the two varieties.

Follow this link to perform your own head-to-head comparison:

http://www.uwex.edu/ces/ag/alfalfa/