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Perennial Forage Varieties
Demonstration
Project Summary: There are a number of new forage varieties available
on the market. As well, there are some new and interesting forage species that
are in research phase. Many of these forages are being seeded in areas of
higher rainfall. The E.C.A.F.A would like to see if these new varieties could
be established in an arid, dry area. The main focus of the experimental
varieties was newer legumes and grasses. The Forage Association planted 6
varieties of Clover, 9 Alfalfa varieties, 4 varieties of Crested Wheatgrass, 5
Bromegrass varieties, 6 Wheatgrass varieties, 2 Tall Fescue varieties, Max
Italian Rye, Okay Orchard Grass, Russian Wildrye and Perennial Cereal Rye.
Objectives:
- To demonstrate the establishment of various
forage legumes and grasses.
- To determine the yield production and longevity
of various forage legumes and grasses.
- To try newer types of forage species that have
not been established in this area before.
- To determine the optimum cutting time through
quality analysis.
Co-operator: Steele Bros.
Co-operating Agencies: Chinook Applied Research Association
A.S.B
Hannas Seeds
Lynn
Shultz
Pick
Seed
Hans
Jensen
Brett
Young Seeds- Rene Mabon
Agricore United
Project Advisors: Chinook
Applied Research Association
Burt Forbes-
Agriculture Fieldman
Legal Land Location: NE-22-39-3-W4
Background/Project
Description:
The forage legume plot
involved numerous types of new varieties which included the following: PS 2065
MF Alfalfa, Hay Grazer Alfalfa, Galaga Legume, Hybriforce 400 Alfalfa. In
addition Bozoisky Russian Wild Rye, Max Italian Rye, Okay Orchard Grass, and
Perennial Cereal Rye were also planted. A fertilizer Blend of 11-52-0 was applied
at a rate of 34 lbs/acre with the seed at a depth of 1”.
The perennial forage
varieties were seeded on June 24, 2002. We were unable to seed at an earlier
date, due to small rain showers that made the ground to muddy to seed.
Observations:
Due to the dry year our perennial varieties did not
germinate and we were unable to get any data from this trial. We did receive
rain, but due to the timing of the rainfall, we were not able to get the amount
we needed at the right time in order to get germination at this site. Grasshoppers were also a major problem and
bait was applied to try and control them.
Weeds present at this site were: Redroot Pigweed, Wild
Buckwheat, Wild Millet, Lamb’s-quarters, as well as some volunteer cereals.
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2002
rain gauge readings:
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Month
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Inches
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Running
Total
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June
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4.9
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4.9
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July
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1.5
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6.4
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August
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2.55
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8.95
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Future Plans: We will be re-seeding this perennial forage plot in
the spring. We hope to have a better year in 2003.
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