Alfalfa

Three reasons why you should seed Foundation Direct alfalfa:

SELECTION: Alfalfas originate from elite Flemish breeding lines. We do not use the common lines such as vernal, wrangler, ranger or Dakota common. Individual lines are chosen for fine to medium stem, high resistance to the multiple diseases seen in the alfalfa belt, fast regrowth for multiple cuttings, tolerance to wet soil, low lignin lines and above average winterhardiness. Since no company can get all of these traits in one variety, we offer multiple brands so you can maximize the most important trait for your farm.

PRICE: We contract directly with our growers in Montana and Idaho – no middleman.

BLENDED ALFALFAS: In addition to the wide selection of brands, we have two blends that combine different alfalfa lines so you benefit from more of the desirable traits you want.

Why do we blend alfalfa lines? Having three or four different alfalfa varieties equally divided in a field provides crop synergy – where the total performance exceeds the sum of the individual parts. You can’t get every desirable trait in a single alfalfa plant. Blending allows us to combine strengths from multiple lines for a superior stand. Here’s why it works:

Root diversity – different root orientations improve nutrient uptake and enhance root secretions that boost soil fertility and plant health.
Leaf variation - varied leaf sizes and spacing optimize sunlight capture and improve water retention.
Growth timing – different growth rates and maturities provide yield stability in variable growing conditions.
Complementary strengths – some varieties focus on disease resistance, while others emphasize raw yield. Blending brings balance.

The result: Higher yields, healthier stands, and longer-lasting fields.

All Foundation alfalfa lines are pre-inoculated, untreated, and uncoated and are safe to plant on organic and conventional acres. We don’t apply seed coatings of any type because we believe they are not necessary to get an excellent, healthy stand and are not a good investment for the farmer.

Grizzly Brand Alfalfa

Still the same alfalfa with a long track record of great performance at a great price
Bred and produced in the North for the tough growing conditions found in the North
Fast regrowth for high tonnage from multiple cuttings
Grizzly still gives you more high-quality forage per acre than the high-priced competitors

Grizzly 4 Bear Blend

Blend of equal parts Grizzly, Grizzly Silvertip, Grizzly Max Leaf and Grizzly Ramrod:
Grizzly - 20+ year track record of stability in variable conditions
Grizzly Silvertip - The highest disease rating on the market is the top choice for humid conditions
Grizzly Max Leaf RFV* - has three very large leaves on a fine stem for maximum relative feed value. Feed quality of Max Leaf RFV equals the low lignin alfalfa types.
Grizzly Ramrod* - High tonnage from taller plants that have excellent standability. Fast recovery adds to the tonnage.
*Only available in Grizzly 4 Bear Blend

Grizzly Silvertip Brand

Highest rated disease rating package you can get in alfalfa – 35 out of 35
Improved aphanomyces resistance including the newer type 3 APH
Like the regular Grizzly, Silvertip was bred for northern conditions and is grown in northern Montana for winter hardiness
Same fine to medium stem as Grizzly. Finer stems give you very high-quality dairy hay
Broader genetic base lets Grizzly Silvertip weather a wide range of growing conditions while maintaining its yield potential

Trifecta Brand Alfalfa

Three-way blend of equal parts of high performance Foundation Direct alfalfas with unique traits that complement each other’s strengths. Each bag contains:

Wett Foot – a high yielding multi-leaf with a fibrous branched root and sunken crown system for protection in wet soil
HDA 200 – a highly digestible low fiber alfalfa with outstanding disease resistance and whole plant digestibility
Rapid Fire – the fastest regrowth and highest yield of any northern bred alfalfa line. Made for aggressive cutting schedules (26-32 day)

HDA 200

High Digestible Alfalfa

Lower percentage of lignin means your animals get more nutrients from alfalfa intake
Extremely fast regrowth for excellent tonnage
High RFV is maintained even when the alfalfa blooms
Finer stems that stand well
Lower lignin means you can extend your harvest window by a week and still maintain above average quality and increase yield

Wett Foot Brand Alfalfa

Will tolerate wet, water-logged soil better than any tap root type alfalfa
Lateral roots grow near the soil’s surface which dries out first and gets to breathe before tap root alfalfa
Lower crown helps increase longevity of the life of the stand
Very fine stemmed – makes high quality forage
Full disease package against diseases that thrive in wet soil and attack alfalfa seedlings

Organic Alfalfa

Nitro Brand Alfalfa

Certified Organic

Economical sources of plow-down nitrogen
Very winter hardy compared to less dormant plow downs so you have the option of keeping your field for hay

Each bag contains 50 lbs. of seed – no cheap clay or lime coatings; pre inoculated with Nitragin® Gold.

Platinum Brand Alfalfa