Lahontan Alfalfa

Lahontan Alfalfa is upright growing alfalfa and recovers quickly after cutting. Generally produces lower yields than other varieties, but it does have traits to recommend it in certain circumstances. In the intermountain west, we have seen wide success in poorly drained soils, hardpan, badlands with irrigation, flooding, or soils with high pH.

Lahontan alfalfa (Medicago sativa) was developed by the Crops Research Division, Agricultural Research Service and U.S. Department of Agriculture in cooperation with the Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station. It was released in 1954.

Lahontan is upright growing and recovers quickly after cutting. Yields are roughly equal to the “old” Ranger, but not as good as the new certified Ranger II. Lahontan alfalfa generally produces lower yields than other varieties, but it does have traits to recommend it in certain circumstances. In the Intermountain West we have seen wide success in poorly drained soils, hardpan, badlands with irrigation or flooding or soils with high pH. Most requests for Lahontan come from farmers who have used it over time and have found it to be reliable in badlands and poor soils. Those who use it swear by it and have an aversion to trying anything else in challenging conditions.

Lahontan has high resistance to the spotted alfalfa aphid and is resistant to bacterial wilt. It is practically immune from the stem nematode, a parasitic eelworm that enters the young crown buds of alfalfa and causes them to distort and enlarge. It offers a very attractive resistance package.

Lahontan Alfalfa (Medicago sativa) is produced in very small quantities. Availability is generally low. Great Basin Seed continues to offer this loved variety through dedicated growers in Utah who still produce the original strain. Supply is available of a first-come first serve basis.