When I ask most farmers about disease management in alfalfa, first thoughts are usually about foliar fungicides, followed by why a stand winterkilled, and sometimes why the new seeding failed. I believe that response is quite understandable relative to what they hear with marketing, and see when it’s time to rotate an old stand or establish a new one. However, as with many crops, disease management in alfalfa clearly starts with variety selection. Second is to minimize stress using appropriate management practices. These practices include adequate soil pH and fertility, proper stand establishment practices, timely harvest management during both in-season and fall, wheel traffic management, insect control, and possibly the use of foliar fungicides. Let’s start with varietal selection and finish with a five year summary of foliar fungicide trials.