California growers of alfalfa hay -- the state's second largest field crop -- will vote soon on a proposed marketing order to bolster research and education. Ballots were mailed this week to a list of known alfalfa farmers, who will have 30 days to return their responses. Marketing orders are self-imposed assessments to fund research, education or promotion for a specific commodity. Alfalfa growers have identified a number of issues -- improved forage quality, water use, pest management, new product development and management practices -- as critical to improving their farms' profitability in California, according to Dan Putnam, UC Davis Cooperative Extension agronomist for alfalfa and forage crops.