2025 World Alfalfa Congress

The fourth World Alfalfa Congress hosted in Reims, France.

DAY ONE - Monday, November 3, 2025

Agronomic Session
Honoré Labanca

1:10pm Welcome and Introductions Honoré Labanca Video

1:15pm The Transitions Program: Promoting the environmental services of alfalfa in cropping systems, the example of low-carbon cereals Etienne Mignot - Vivescia, France Video Slides (pdf)

1:30pm Alfalfa for nitrogen-independent cropping systems that produce renewable energy with low fossil carbon emissions Clément Warnier - Terrasolis, France Video Slides (pdf)

1:45pm Genetic advances in Alfalfa: A 30-year perspective Sandrine Flajoulot - Cérience, France Video Slides (pdf)

2:00pm Alfalfa: A pillar of farm economic stability - Insights from the Champagne region over recent decades Thomas Herbin - CDER, France Video Slides (pdf)

Different trajectories for dehydrated alfalfa in Europe for livestock farming
Yann Martinet

2:20pm Workshop Introductions Yann Martinet Video

2:25pm Production for maritime export (southern ruminant market and Asia with structural fodder shortages): Southern Europe (Italy, Spain) Riccardo Severi - AIFE, Italy Video Slides (pdf)

2:40pm Alternative markets for grass and alfalfa Simon Miller - BLTD, Germany Video Slides (pdf)

2:55pm Production tailored as closely as possible to the changing needs of animal sectors (western ruminants, new BEA markets) Didier Coulmier - Desialis, France Video Slides (pdf)

3:10pm Dehydration of alfalfa in tomorrow's livestock farming (decarbonisation of animal feed, new technologies) Patrick Boone - Arvesta, Cédric Letissier - Néalia Video

Young Professionals Event: My Project In 180 Sec
Christian Huyghe

Sequence 1: Agronomy
Claude Tabel

4:30pm Introductions Christian Huyghe, France & Claude Tabel, France Video

4:40pm Research and practice on alfalfa-maize intercropping in China Ruixuan Xu, China Video Slides (pdf)

4:45pm Assessing the economic value of alfalfa's agronomic services in crop rotations: a methodological proposal Clara Poëntis, France Video Slides (pdf)

4:50pm Optimizing Alfalfa for Dual-Purpose Intercrop with Intermediate Wheatgrass Leah Treffer, USA Video Slides (pdf)

4:55pm Evaluation of forage quality and economic benefits in legume-grass mixtures in response to seeding ratio and fertilizer application Yixian Bi, China Video Slides (pdf)

5:00pm Evaluating the agronomic performance of diverse alfalfa (Medicago sativa) in Zambia Christine Phiri, Zambia Video Slides (pdf)

Q&A For Sequence 1 Presenters Video

Sequence 2: Physiology and Genetics
Dejan Sokolovic

5:05pm Introductions Dejan Sokolovic, Serbia Video

5:05pm Biochemical and genetic response of alfalfa genotypes to aluminum toxicity under acid soil conditions Marija Stepić, Serbia Video Slides (pdf)

5:10pm Phenotypic traits shaping the genetic structure of alfalfa Irving Arcia Ruiz, France Video Slides (pdf)

5:15pm Genetic Characterization and Breeding for Creeping Root Architecture in Alfalfa Cree King, USA Video Slides (pdf)

5:20pm Pre-sowing inoculation of rhizobia and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as a way to increase alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) variety productivity on acid soil Nedeljko Racić, Serbia Video Slides (pdf)

5:25pm Mycorrhizal-mediated Growth and Resource Allocation Drive Plant Coexistence Jiqiong Zhou, China Video Slides (pdf)

Q&A For Sequence 2 Presenters Video

Sequence 3: Genetics and Breeding
Charlie Brummer

5:30pm Introductions Charlie Brummer Video

5:35pm Developing and Testing Alfalfa Cultivars Under Limited Water Conditions Charles Janssen, USA Video Slides (pdf)

5:40pm Designing a lucerne ideotype for use as a living mulch for cash crop production and genetic analysis of key underling traits Zineb El Ghazzal, France Video Slides (pdf)

5:45pm Evaluation of Non-Dormant Alfalfa Germplasm for Resilient Commercial Cultivar Development Michele Nalle, USA Video Slides (pdf)

5:50pm Using High-Throughput Phenotyping Techniques and Genome Wide Association Studies (GWAS) to Select Drought Tolerance Alfalfa Populations in Mediterranean Drought-Prone Environments Hamza Armghan Noushahi, Chile Video Slides (pdf)

Q&A For Sequence 3 Presenters Video

Sequence 4: Nutrition
Imane Thami Alami

5:55pm Introductions Imane Thami Alami Video

5:55pm Hay & Forage Quality Monitoring From Field to Feed Geet Raju, Finland Video Slides (pdf)

6:00pm Hippomix Duo: an innovation for sensitive horses Morgane Simonnet, France Video

6:05pm Variation of fresh alfalfa stem properties along its height: protein content, chemical composition and sorption behavior Sarah Orbach, France Video Slides (pdf)

6:10pm Q&A For Sequence 4 Presenters Video

6:15pm Event Conclusion Christian Huyghe, France Video

DAY TWO - Tuesday, November 4, 2025

9:00am Planetary boundaries as a framework to think the role of alfalfa in future agri-food systems and to define research and innovation priorities C. Huyghe, M. Brun, C. Brummer, S. Jézéquel, B. Julier, H. Labanca, N. Liu, J. Lloveras, A. Odorizzi, A. Palmonari, D. Sokolovic, C. Tabel, I. Thami Alami. Video Slides (pdf)

Session 1: Animal Feed, Still A Market For Alfalfa Tomorrow And Beyond?
Tabel C. & Brun M.

10:30am Global Market and perspectives for Alfalfa Gian Luca Bagnara, Italy Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

10:55am China's Alfalfa Industry and Global Market: Challenges and Opportunities Baoming Ji, China Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

11:07am Assessing the economic value of alfalfa's agronomic services in crop rotations: a methodological proposal Clara Poëntis, France Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

11:25am Panel Discussion Joshua Callen (USA), Pierre Begoc (France), Qamar Shakil (Pakistan), Cristina Vendrell (Spain) Video

Session 2: Growing Alfalfa To Increase Biodiversity And Benefit Crop Production
Julier B. & Sokolovic D.

1:30pm Introductions Bernadette Julier, France and Dejan Sokolovic, Serbia Video

1:30pm Alfalfa as a conservation tool: agronomic benefits and effects on biodiversity Manuel Morales, Spain Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

1:55pm Integrated pest and pollinator management on alfalfa grown for seed in the pacific northwest Douglas Walsh, USA Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

2:07pm Alfalfa quality in dry environments: phenotypic and genetic variation in 250 progenies of drought-tolerant landraces Luis Inostroza, Chile Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

Parallel Session I: Water Management
Jézéquel S. & Arcia Ruiz I.

2:10pm Breeding rainfed alfalfa for Central Asia with less water Saltanat Toktarbekova (YRI), KZK/AU Slides (pdf)

2:22pm Soil health indicators impacted by deficit irrigation timing and severity Michelle Leinfelder-Miles, USA Slides (pdf)

2:34pm Effects of Water Stress on Alfalfa and Impacts of Irrigation Pierre Larsonneau, France Slides (pdf)

2:46pm Developing and Testing Alfalfa Cultivars Under Limited Water Conditions Charles Janssen, USA Slides (pdf)

Session 3: Water Efficiency In Alfalfa Cropping Systems And Reduction Of The Impact On Water Quantity And Quality
Lloveras J. & Jézéquel S.

3:30pm Sustainability of alfalfa cropping systems in water-challenged future Daniel Putnam, USA Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

3:55pm Breeding for Drought Tolerance in Alfalfa Suresh Bhamidimarri, USA Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

4:07pm Integrated Evaluation of Drought Tolerance in Moroccan Alfalfa: Role of Osmopriming and Rhizobial Strain Selection Mohammed Mouradi, Morocco Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

Parallel Session II: Alfalfa And Soil Quality
Sokolovic D. & Stepic M.

4:10pm Alfalfa age and soil management as drivers of mycorrhizal colonization and agronomic performance Babacar Thioye, France Slides (pdf)

4:22pm Meta-analysis of the effects of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) cultivation on soil health status Tiemei Wang, China Slides (pdf)

4:34pm Mapping and validation of resistance to Aphanomyces euteiches in alfalfa Steve Damon, USA Slides (pdf)

4:46pm Quantification and characterization of alfalfa crop residues to improve estimates of alfalfa derived inputs into the soil and confidence in models simulating soil organic carbon dynamics Pascal Thiebeau, France Slides (pdf)

Business Forum - The Alfalfa Strikes Back: Who's Gaining Ground?
de Gallye d'Hybouville, G.

5:15pm Introductions Grégoire de Gallye d'Hybouville, France Video

5:20pm Argentina in the Global Alfalfa Market: Opportunities & Challenges Daniel Basigalup, Argentina Video Slides (pdf)

5:30pm Canadian Forage & Grassland Association : Market, Challenges & Changes Duane Vandenberg, Canada Video Slides (pdf)

5:40pm The rapid development of China's Alfalfa Industry Maple Ye, China Video Slides (pdf)

5:50pm The Alfalfa crop in Pakistan : Domestic market, Origins, Challenges, Strenghts and Future Prospects Qamar Shakil, Pakistan Video Slides (pdf)

DAY THREE - Wednesday, November 5, 2025

Session 4: Closing The Nitrogen Cycle: From Alfalfa Symbiotic Fixation To Crop And Animal Production
Thamialami I. & Palmonari A.

8:30am Introductions Imane Thami Alami, France Video

8:30am Grazing management for environmental and human health Pablo Gregorini, NZ Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

8:55am Hay & Forage quality monitoring from field to feed Geet Raju (YRI), Finland Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

9:07am Pre-sowing inoculation of rhizobia and arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi as a way to increase alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) variety productivity on acid soil Nedeljko Racić (YRI), Serbia Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

9:25am Panel Discussion Gu Chen (China), Marie-Françoise Brizard (France), Neil Simmonds (UK) Video

Parallel Session III: New Alfalfa Based Cropping Systems
Liu N. & Cree K.

9:10am Alfalfa and silage maize intercropping provides comparable productivity and profitability with lower environmental impacts than wheat-maize system in the North China Plain Ruixuan Xu (YRI), China Slides (pdf)

9:20am Alfalfa Established in Intercropping with Sunflower Allocates Fixed Nitrogen to the Crop Marisol Berti, USA Slides (pdf)

9:30am Lucerne in mixture with forage grass species for herbicide-free weed control, high yield and quality Bernadette Julier, France Slides (pdf)

9:40am New uses of Alfalfa as a service plant for the resilience of cereal production Mathieu Marguerie, France Slides (pdf)

9:50am Optimizing Alfalfa for Dual-Purpose Intercrop with Intermediate Wheatgrass Leah Treffer (YRI), USA Slides (pdf)

Session 5: Alfalfa Based Cropping Systems In Sustainable Land Use For Livestock Production
Liu N. & Labanca H.

10:30am Introductions Liu N. Video

10:30am Legume introduction enhances productivity and soil carbon sequestration in degraded grasslands: Decadal insights into the role of phosphorus fertilization Yingjun Zhang, China Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

10:55am LCA of alfalfa-based dried forage in Italy: quantification of impacts and environmental benefits Valentino Solfrini, Italy Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

11:07am Genetic and phenotypic diversity of lucerne for optimising its role as a living mulch in agroecological systems Zineb El Ghazzal (YRI), France Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

11:25am Panel Discussion Diego Calatayud (Argentina), Cedric McLeod (Canada), Yuying Shen (China) Video

Parallel Session IV: Animal Nutrition
Palmonari A. & Nalle M.

11:10am Dehydrated alfalfa and gastric health in monogastric species: a 10-year perspective Samy Julliand, France Slides (pdf)

11:22am Hippomix Duo: an innovation for sensitive horses Morgane Simonnet (YRI), France Slides (pdf)

11:34am Maternal consumption of fiber diet reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in self and offspring by remodeling the gut microbiota Yinghua Shi, China Slides (pdf)

11:46am Variation of fresh alfalfa stem properties along its height: protein content, chemical composition and sorption behavior Sarah Orbach (YRI), France Slides (pdf)

Session 6: High Yield Alfalfa For Low Carbon Livestock In Stressful Climate
Brummer C. & Odorizzi A.

1:30pm Alfalfa-based feeding strategies for reducing soil N2O emissions in beef production systems Carolina Alvarez, Argentina Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

1:55pm Breeding alfalfa for adaptation to the changing climate Paolo Annicchiarico, Italy Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

2:07pm Identifying new agrometeorological zones for lucerne in present and future European climates using STICS model Gaëtan Louarn, France Video Slides (pdf) Abstract (pdf)

2:25pm Panel Discussion Nicolas Ayub (Argentina), Lan Yun (China), Jelto Papendieck (Germany). Video

Parallel Session V: Technologies
Palmonari A. & Nalle M.

2:10pm Multi-Omics Data Integration Improve the Accuracy of Prediction Models for Complex Traits in Non-dormant Alfalfa Esteban Rios, Argentina Slides (pdf)

2:20pm Genomic Editing for Alfalfa Improvement in Argentina Gabriela Soto, Argentina Slides (pdf)

2:30pm From Breeding to Market Launch: How to Digitalize Product Development of Alfalfa Mixes for Agroecology Tristan Duminil, France Slides (pdf)

2:30pm Technologies to remoisturize alfalfa in the windrow for baling Earl Creech, USA Slides (pdf)

2:40pm Combinations of alfalfa management practices that maximize on farm yields Valentin Picasso, Sweden Slides (pdf)

Closing Ceremonies

3:30pm Closing Ceremony Christian Huyghe (France), Yann Martinet (France), Slides (pdf)

Poster Session

Light Green Eggs EIT Food Project Gian Luca Bagnara Poster (pdf)

Carbon Footprint Of Alfalfa Production in California Valentina Roel-Rezk, Phoo Pye Zone, Virginia Nichols, Dan Putnam, Cameron M. Pittelkow Poster (pdf)

A Remote Sensing Approach Assessment For Water Use Estimation In Alfalfa Hay And Seed Yield In A Semiarid Region Under Irrigation Ramiro Salgado, Ariel R. Tamer, and Mónica V. Cornacchione Poster (pdf)

Conventional Breeding Of Alfalfa For Drought-Tolerant In Limited-Water Environments Mónica V. Cornacchione, Valeria Arolfo, and Ariel Odorizzi Poster (pdf)

Mapping of Forage Digestibility QTL in Elite Alfalfa Germplasm Steve Damon, Steve Wagner, Tracy Engh, Mark Darling, Jinrui Shi, Tara Tarnowski, Balagi Boovaraghan, Grace Woollums, and Lindsey Rushford Poster (pdf)

Influence Of Mobile Aluminium Phytotoxicity On Productivity Of Alfalfa Genotypes In Retisol Liatukienė Aurelija, Skuodienė Regina, Vida Danytė, and Eglė Norkevičienė Poster (pdf)

Investigation of the facilitation effect of the alfalfa-rhizobia symbiosis on durum wheat plants grown in association with alfalfa under water deficit Lahrizi Yahya, Mouradi Mohammed, Bouizgaren Abdelaziz, and Ghoulam Cherki Poster (pdf)

Overseeding A Cereals And Protein Crop Mix In Established Alfalfa: Impacts On Weeds And Production Silvère Gelineau, S. Bouet, C. Bourlet, A. Uijttewaal Poster (pdf)

Harvest and Cultivar Strategies to Improve Sustainability of Alfalfa Cropping Systems Daniel H. Putnam, E. Charles Brummer, Brenda Perez, Khaled Bali, Sultan Begna. Poster (pdf)

Establishing Alfalfa, A Key Phase In The Crop Cycle Mickaël Venot Poster (pdf)

Alfalfa Genetic Gain for Forage Yield Using Single-Cross Hybrid Progeny Testing Steven Wagner and Steve Damon Poster (pdf)

DAY ONE - Monday, November 3, 2025

Agronomic Session Honoré Labanca

Different trajectories for dehydrated alfalfa in Europe for livestock farming Yann Martinet

Young Professionals Event: My Project In 180 Sec Christian Huyghe

Sequence 1: Agronomy Claude Tabel

Sequence 2: Physiology and Genetics Dejan Sokolovic

Sequence 3: Genetics and Breeding Charlie Brummer

Sequence 4: Nutrition Imane Thami Alami

DAY TWO - Tuesday, November 4, 2025

Session 1: Animal Feed, Still A Market For Alfalfa Tomorrow And Beyond? Tabel C. & Brun M.

Session 2: Growing Alfalfa To Increase Biodiversity And Benefit Crop Production Julier B. & Sokolovic D.

Parallel Session I: Water Management Jézéquel S. & Arcia Ruiz I.

Session 3: Water Efficiency In Alfalfa Cropping Systems And Reduction Of The Impact On Water Quantity And Quality Lloveras J. & Jézéquel S.

Parallel Session II: Alfalfa And Soil Quality Sokolovic D. & Stepic M.

Business Forum - The Alfalfa Strikes Back: Who's Gaining Ground? de Gallye d'Hybouville, G.