1. SMA 9561 is a 21 clone synthetic variety. Parent plants were selected for three cycles for early maturity in space planted clonal nurseries. Parent plants were concurrently selected for persistence, spring vigor and forage yield along with resistance to bacterial wilt, Fusarium wilt and Phytophthora root rot, Aphanomyces root rot(Race 1or2) and Verticillium wilt. Parent plants trace back to Impact and Dairyland experimentals. Percentage of germplasm sources are: Ladak(3), M. varia(10), Turkistan(32), Flemish(47) and Chilean(8).

2. SMA9561 is adapted to the North Central region of the United