Patent Pending StandFast TM Alfalfas Deliver Improved Standability and Up to 30% Faster Recovery After Harvest David Johnson, Mark Darling, Doug Miller, & Jonathan Reich West Salem, WI

StandFast TM Alfalfas Key Features High yielding varieties that carry the Standfast™Alfalfa Technology Traits for improved standability through bloom stage and faster recovery after harvest. Patent Pending Breaking the Yield Barrier

StandFast TM Alfalfas Genetic Background: A synthetic variety developed from crossing European germplasm screened for US adaptability onto elite US fall dormant plants selected for superior yield, forage quality, and persistence. Patent Pending StandFast TM alfalfas are the product of conventional breeding…not GMO’s!

A unique family of tall, fast growing alfalfas with improved standability! Patent Pending New Alfalfas with the StandFast TM Technology Traits

Patent Pending On average, total alfalfa yield for the season decreases 0.5 tons DM/acre for each 1-inch of stem left in the field during the 3 summer cuts (Univ. WI) Lodged alfalfa = harvest losses

You can see the remarkable differences You can see the remarkable differences between conventional varieties and alfalfas between conventional varieties and alfalfas with StandFast™ traits. StandFast™ Alfalfas Conventional alfalfas Improved Standability! Patent Pending

Seed buyers now will be able to evaluate their alfalfa seed for standability! Patent Pending Mercedes = Check Variety with Moderate Standability Europe = Check Variety with High Standability

Similar Stem Diameter at Bloom Stage Stem diameter measured with calipers at base of lowest node of 100 stems from each variety (25 stems from each of 4 reps).

StandFast TM Alfalfa 2.62 cm/day growth Conventional Alfalfa 1.99 cm/day growth Data from 8 cuttings on 3 trials through 21 days 30% Faster Recovery after Harvest! Patent Pending

StandFast TM Alfalfa 30% Faster Recovery! Patent Pending

StandFast™ varieties set new standard for recovery rate after harvest! Patent Pending 34.6% 42.1% 37.5% 31.8% 3.9%16.8%17.9%3.0% Benefit: More Yield (% advantage in red)

Total 2cuts 4cuts 5cuts 5cuts 16cuts Entry T/A T/A T/A T/A T/A StandFast Conventional Advantage 0.0% +3.6% +8.9% +14.9% +8.2% Patent Pending Yield and Persistence

StandFast TM Alfalfa Persistence Percent Stand after 3 winters and 17 cuts 80.56%Trial Mean 55.00%Mercedes 58.75%Europe 92.50%Ascend 82.50%WinterGold 92.08%StandFast % StandVariety Patent Pending

Percent stand after 2 winters,10 cuts and 4 locations*. *IA, MN, WI (2) 79.8%Trial Mean 75.7%Rebound %Magnum V 77.2%WL 325HQ 79.4%Pioneer 54V %StandFast %StandVariety StandFast TM Alfalfa Persistence Patent Pending

Yield Milk/ Milk/ Entry T/A RFQ Ton Acre StandFast™ Alfalfas ,986 20,372 Conventional Alfalfas ,031 18,027 StandFast™Advantage +14.4% -4.6% -1.5% +13.0% Data from 4 cuttings during 2002, 4th year of stand Patent Pending Yield and Forage Quality

StandFast Yield & Quality Yield Trial – Seeded April 2001 at West Salem, WI. Results shown are for crops 1, 2 and 3 of the 5 crops taken during the 1 st hay year. Patent Pending Entry Tons/Ac CP RUP NDFD RFQ Milk/Ton Milk/Acre StandFast ,042 18,259 WinterGold ,200 17,590 Magnum V ,049 17,580 54V ,048 17, T ,119 17,067 WL 325HQ ,075 16,929

StandFast Increases Total Season Production Advantage of 5 cut vs 4 cut system Number Variety of Cuts Tons/Acre RFQ Milk/Ton Milk/Acre StandFast 4+1= ,042 27,022 WL 325HQ 4+1= ,075 24,712 Advantage10.5% - 4.7% -1.1% 9.3% StandFast 3+1= ,650 20,387 WL 325HQ 3+1= ,680 19,943 Advantage3.6% -2.7% -1.1% 2.2% StandFast 4+1= ,042 27,022 WL 325HQ 3+1= ,680 19,943 Advantage 19.3% 34.9% 13.5% 35.5% Patent Pending

Management Keys Best adapted to four and five cut harvest system across the traditional fall dormancy 3, 4 and 5 production zones. The fast recovery trait will help maximize total yield of high quality forage each cropping season. The fast recovery trait does not express itself fully until the third crop of the seeding year if spring direct seeded. The improved standability trait will provide in field protection against yield loss starting the seeding year. Will reach the late bud or early flower stage 3-5 days ahead of current varieties with the same dormancy. No observed soil type or management limitations. StandFast Alfalfas Patent Pending

Minimize field loss to downed crop More even distribution of yield Reducing days between cuttings Breaking the Yield Barrier

Patent Pending