In a free market economy, goods are priced at what the market will bear. In the short term, price may be reduced to gain market share. Cheap seed, is often not a bargain, nor often is expensive seed. Since there is not a huge difference in yield performance, cheap seed may be an excellent value for plowdown, very short rotations, or soils without potential for high yields. Just make certain the seed is weed free and high in germination.
 
One way I estimate the value of more expense seed is to figure the additional land I could rent for the additional seed cost. Suppose I am trying to decide on a bag for $125 verses another variety at $225. I plant three acres with a bag, I plan on three, maybe 4 hay years and either land rent is or I net $100 per acre on other crops I grow.  Three acres time 3.3 years equals 10 hay years. That means the higher priced variety will have to yield 10% more than the cheaper variety. There are few cases where the difference between two alfalfa varieties will be as large as 10%, so we would likely go with the cheaper variety. While there are additional seeding and harvesting costs for the additional acreage, in a year when alfalfa is short and therefore very valuable, a 10% yield advantage usually disappears because of moisture limitation.
 
We think the latest genetics should be the best value. In the case of alfalfa it often isn't. The new varieties at 'compare varieties' run between 10% to 15 % over Vernal. Since Vernal has been around for over 50 years, the progress per year has been very small, less than 0.2% per year. It's OK to try a few bags of a new variety, but don't bet the farm on it. Quite often the newer variety is actually lower yielding. Wait for sufficient yield and stand data before planting a big acreage of a new variety.
 
Solution:
Alfalfa varieties with special characteristics, be it, creeping, grazing, or leafhopper resistance are lower yielding. Creeping varieties usually run 10 to 15% lower yielding, with grazing and leafhopper varieties 5 to 10%.