A goal of alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) establishment is to minimize seeding rate without compromising yield, quality, or stand life. Glyphosate resistant (GR) alfalfa stands may be as productive as conventional stands even at lower plant densities due to decreased weed pressure. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of seeding rate on GR alfalfa yield, quality, and plant density. GR alfalfa was seeded into conventionally tilled seedbeds in Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, South Dakota, Utah, and Wisconsin at rates of 6.7, 11.2, 15.7, 20.2 kg ha-1 PLS in April, 2006. Yield, quality, and plant density measurements were made for each seeding rate under three herbicide treatments, 1) glyphosate, 2) a conventional herbicide, and 3) no herbicide. Seeding rate significantly affected first cutting yield only in Wisconsin where 6.7 kg ha-1 yielded significantly less than 15.7 and 20.2 kg ha-1. First cut yield of herbicide treated plots were 20-75% lower in four of seven locations compared to the untreated control. This was due primarily to good weed control in the herbicide treated plots. Yield did not differ among seeding rates or herbicide treatments in subsequent cuttings. Crude protein values were higher in plots where herbicide was applied. Plant density increased as seeding rate increased, and decreased over time. At the end of the seeding year, seeding rates produced significantly different plant densities in four of the seven locations. Even though seeding rate had little effect on forage yield and quality, differences in plant density could result in productivity differences among seeding rates in the remaining years of the stand. The effect of seeding on GR alfalfa productivity will continue to be evaluated over the remaining years of the stand.