Now that the federal government has signed off on Roundup Ready alfalfa, one company is offering a set of new alfalfa varieties with the trait that company officials say can make the crop thrive under a wider array of conditions.

Pioneer officials announced Monday the release of 5 Roundup Ready varieties, all of which are adapted to conditions where different pests exert extra pressure on the crop, says Robin Newell, Pioneer marketing manager for forages, who adds "alfalfa is no longer a one-size-fits-all crop."

The new varieties, according to Pioneer, are:

• 54R01 (RR), broadly adapted, selected for high forage quality, including resistance to Aphanomyces race 1, anthracnose, Phytophthora root rot, Verticillium wilt and Fusarium wilt. It also is resistant to northern root rot nematode and stem nematode.
• 54R02 (RR), broadly adapted variety with high yield and an excellent disease package including resistance to Aphanomyces race 1, anthracnose, Phytophthora root rot, Verticillium wilt and Fusarium wilt. Also resistant to spotted and pea aphids.
• 54VR03 (RR), adapted to western alfalfa-growing environments, has a strong defensive package with resistance to anthracnose, Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces race 1 and pea aphid.
• 53VR03 (RR) is a northern-adapted variety. This winterhardy variety is paired with a strong defensive package and has resistance to Aphanomyces race 1, anthracnose, Phytophthora root rot, Verticillium wilt and Fusarium wilt.
• 58R51 (RR) is a non-dormant option for the Southwest; this variety is resistant to spotted aphid, Phytophthora root rot, stem nematode and blue aphid 1.