New varieties of alfalfa are released by commercial breeding companies each year. The Iowa State University forage breeding program, in conjunction with the Iowa Crop Improvement Association, tests commercially available varieties at five locations in Iowa, including at the McNay Research Farm. Funding to conduct these tests is provided by entrants who pay a fee to have their varieties included. Our tests provide an unbiased comparison among cultivars deemed to be adapted to particular regions of the state by the companies.