2002 Evaluation of Non-Alfalfa Perennial Legumes

Abstract

This report determines yield levels of modern varieties of non-bloat causing perennial forage legumes, such as sainfoin, birdsfoot trefoil, and cicer milkvetch, relative to yields of alfalfa check varieties. Dry weather and other droughty conditions have been hard on the non-bloat causing perennial legumes. In dry matter yield production for 2002, 2001 and 2000, the alfalfa entries have proven to be superior to the entries of sainfoin, birdsfoot trefoil, and cicer milkvetch. Within each species and between varieties, there appears to be some differences in forage yield (see Tables F6 & F7). Due to the unusually dry weather the past couple of years, (hopefully it remains classified as “unusually dry” rather than the beginning of a new norm), it is best not to make any conjectures about relative yield levels of the various varieties.