Alforex Seeds, the alfalfa business unit of Dow AgroSciences, is adding two new sales territories as it completes its national launch of Hi-Gest Low Lignin Alfalfa Technology. With the release of non-dormant AFX 1060 during fall 2015 in Arizona and the Imperial Valley of California, all U.S. alfalfa growers now have access to adapted, conventionally bred low lignin alfalfa varieties for 2016 planting.
Hi-Gest Lognin Alfalfa Technology was introduced during the 2014 World Dairy Expo in Madison, WI, and more than 10,000 acres of the Hi-Gest 660, and AFX 1060 varieties were planted across the United States during the 2015 planting season.
“These early adaptors were the first to see the advantages of lower lignin alfalfa and how it improves animal intake, rate of digestion, and increased milk production,” explains Alforex Seeds General Manager Ron Cornish. “The on-farm performance of Hi-Gest has exceeded our expectations, and we are now gearing up to meet the demands of commercial growers and dairymen across the country. Ample supplies of our dormant Hi-Gest 360, semi-dormant Hi-Gest 660 and non-dormant AFX 1060 are available for 2016 planting. Plus we are launching AFX 960 with Hi-Gest Technology later this fall.”
To keep up with grower interest and to explain the benefits of the patent pending Hi-Gest Low Lignin Alfalfa in the ration of the Southwest’s 2.3 million dairy cows, Alforex Seeds has appointed two full-time district sales managers in the Southwestern United States. Dwight Tuttle, a forage seed professional, will manage the Alforex distribution network in Arizona, New Mexico, and Texas. He relocated from the Midwest where he actively participated in the 2015 Hi-Gest product launch. Dawn Klawitter will manage the Alforex distribution network in California and Nevada, and is very familiar with new seed technology introductions. Both Klawitter and Tuttle reide in their territories.
Don Miller, Ph.D., who has background in alfalfa breeding and agronomy, will now be focused full time on product support for Alforex Seeds. Miller is a member of the Hi-Gest Technology launch team, is an industry expert on salinity and nematodes, and continues as the product specialist.
“I have seen AFX 1060 in the field this spring, and it looks great. Forage tests have been even more impressive. Hi-Gest is really something for growers to get excited about with the combination of lower lignin, harvest flexibility, and no export restraints to be concerned about,” Miller says.
