All Lucerne varieties are summer-active, however they are divided into one of four groups depending on their level of winter dormancy.

• highly winter-active (8-10 rating)
• winter-active (6-7 rating)
• semi winter dormant (4-5 rating)
• winter dormant (1-3 rating)

The choice of cultivar should depend on its intended use and the environment into which it will be sown. For example:

1. Highly winter active varieties should not be sown into areas prone to heavy frosts.

2.Varieties intended for dual purpose use should come from the winter active range.

3.If sowing for hay production only, in a region that experiences heavy frosts, a winter/semi winter dormant variety would be best suited.

Pest and disease tolerance is also an important consideration. Lucernes can be affected by fungal diseases such as phytophtora (root rot) and anthracnose (crown rot), as well as by bacterial wilt and fusarium wilt.

Aphid resistance is also a desirable trait in a lucerne variety.