NMSU researchers developing drought-resistant alfalfa varieties

Anyone feeding alfalfa or grass hay to their livestock this year is aware that it has become costly – and that’s only if you can get it. Drought conditions and low allotments of water for irrigation have resulted in a reduced supply as demand has increased. The development of alfalfa varieties that are more drought-tolerant would obviously be a boon to both consumers and hay producers. Although alfalfa breeders at New Mexico State University have been developing better varieties of alfalfa since 1918, researchers are now combining high-tech genetic analysis with traditional plant breeding practices in this effort. Read more at New Mexico State University website >>>