Excerpts from the report Introduction: The production and use of alfalfa seed have more than doubled since 1943. Total alfalfa seed production increased from 64.3 million pounds in 1943 to 152.1 million pounds in 1958. The production of certified alfalfa seed also increased during this period from a negligible 31,400 pounds to 60.2 million pounds, a tremendous increase. With the growing interest in specific varieties for planting in specific areas, the average purchaser is becoming increasingly concerned about the variations in quality of certified and noncertified alfalfa seed entering the marketing channels. This publication will attempt to provide a better understanding of the quality differences which are present in all certified and noncertified alfalfa seed sold in the normal marketing channels and to determine which factors are most influential in explaining seed price differences of as much as $15.00 per hundredweight.