The contribution of hard seed to alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) stand establishment has not been clearly defined. A study was established at three locations (Arlington and West Salem, WI, and Napier, IA) to examine the effect of the proportion of hard seed in alfalfa seed lots at time of planting on time of seed emergence and yield. In each of two years scarified and un‐scarified seed lots with either low, medium, or high proportions of hard seed from four commercially available alfalfa cultivars were planted under field conditions. Alfalfa emergence was monitored during the following months for a year. Seventy percent of the unscarified seed emerged within 2 weeks, 6% in 2 to 4 weeks, 3% at 8 weeks, and none after that. No seedlings emerged the spring after sowing. Scarification increased (P ≤ 0.05) slightly the number of seedlings that emerged within 2 weeks but did not affect overall establishment. In a second study, treatments were sown at 12 lb pure live seed/acre in small plots and yield measured at each of the three locations. Level of hard seed and seed scarification had no effect on yield in the seeding year or the year after. Hard seed contributes to alfalfa stand establishment similarly to other alfalfa seed.