The majority of the annual feed requirement comes from mixed stands of perennial grasses and legumes, therefore managing these forage resources is very important. Establishing and maintaining a successful hay-land or grazing stand requires significant investment and good management. Selecting varieties which are easy to establish and are resilient while providing high yield and quality can improve net returns for producers.
WCFA regularly evaluates a number of perennial forages and perennial forage mixtures for regional establishment, persistence, dry matter yield and nutritional quality. to provide producers in the west-central area with information needed to make informed management decisions regarding their perennial forage stands and tailor appropriate blends for the region.
14 grass cultivars, 16 alfalfa cultivars, 2 sainfoin varieties, 2 cicer milkvetch varieties and 14 grass/legume mixtures will be evaluated at the Yellowhead County Research site (SE 27-53-09-W5). Nine additional sites will be evaluated throughout Alberta by other Applied Research Associations.
| Grasses | Alfalfa | Sainfoin | Mixtures |
| AC Admiral, Meadow Brome | 2010 Alfalfa | AAC Glenview | Fleet/Yellowhead |
| AC Knowles, Hybrid Brome | AC Grazeland | AC Mountainview | Success/Yellowhead |
| AC Saltlander, Green Wheatgrass | AC Yellowhead | Knowles/Yellowhead | |
| AC Success, Hybrid Brome | Assalt DT | Cicer Milkvetch | Fleet/Spredor 5 |
| Blizzard, Orchardgrass | Dalton | Oxley 2 | Success/Spredor 5 |
| Cache, Meadow Brome | Halo | Veldt | Knowles/Spredor 5 |
| Courtney, Tall Fescue | Halo 2 | Fleet/Yellowhead/Mountainview | |
| Fleet, Meadow Brome | Phabalous | Success/Yellowhead/Mountainview | |
| Greenleaf, Pubescent Wheatgrass | PV Parlour HG (440 Alfalfa) | Fleet/Yellowhead/Mountainview/Veldt | |
| Grinstad, Timothy | PV Ultima | Success/Yellowhead/Mountainview/Veldt | |
| Killarney, Orchardgrass | Rambler | Fleet/Greenleaf/Yellowhead | |
| Kirk, Crested Wheatgrass | Rangelander | Success/Greenleaf/Yellowhead | |
| Nabucco, Italian Ryegrass | Rugged | Salinemaster | |
| Rendita, Italian Ryegrass | Spider | Legumeaster | |
| Spredor 4 | |||
| Spredor 5 |
2020 Observations
2020 will serve as the establishment year for the trial. Seeding occurred July 21, 28 and 29, 2020 due to wet field conditions. Emergence counts were conducted at 7, 14 and 21 days post-seeding. Initial mortality counts were conducted at 70 days post-seeding. In subsequent years persistence, yield and nutritional quality will be evaluated.
11 grass cultivars, 14 legume cultivars and 9 grass/legume mixtures were evaluated over a three year period at the Yellowhead County Research site (SE 27-53-09-W5). Eight additional sites were evaluated throughout Alberta by other Applied Research Associations.
| Grasses | Legumes | Mixes |
| Fleet Meadow Brome | Assalt ST Alfalfa | Fleet/Admiral |
| AC Admiral Hybrid Brome | Dalton Alfalfa | Success/Yellowhead |
| Success Hybrid Brome | 20-10 Alfalfa | Admiral/Yellowhead |
| Knowles Hybrid Brome | Halo Alfalfa | Fleet/Spredor 5 |
| Greenleaf Pubescent Wheatgrass | Rugged Alfalfa | Success/Spredor 5 |
| Kirk Crested Wheatgrass | Spredor 4 Alfalfa | Admiral/Spredor 5 |
| AC Saltlander Green Wheatgrass | Spredor 5 Alfalfa | Fleet/Mountainview |
| Tom Russian Wildrye | Yellowhead Alfalfa | Success/Mountainview |
| Killarney Orchardgrass | PV Ultima Alfalfa | Admiral/Mountainview |
| Grinstad Timothy | 44-44 Alfalfa | |
| Fojtan Festulolium | Mountainview Sainfoin | |
| Courtney Tall Fescue | Nova Sainfoin | |
| Veldt Cicer Milkvetch | ||
| Oxley 2 Cicer Milkvetch |
2016 Observations
Seeding occurred on June 7, 2016. No emergence counts were taken due to the amount of weed pressure. As 2016 was the establishment year no yield or quality data was collected. Note: pure legume stands did not establish at the site.
2017 Observations
Stand establishment was good for the perennial grasses and grass/legume mixtures despite pest and weed pressure and lack of moisture early in the summer. Plant counts, height measurements, yield and quality data collected.
2018 Observations
Stand establishment was good for the perennial grasses and grass/legume mixes. It is worth mentioning that sainfoin plants were not found in the plots. Plant counts, height measurements, yield and quality data collected.
To view the full report please download the PDF below:
