2001 Evaluation of Non-Alfalfa Perennial Legumes

Abstract

This report determines yield levels of modern varieties non-bloat causing perennial forage legumes: 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 2001, alfalfa entries have proved to be superior in dry matter yield production than the entries of sainfoin, birdsfoot trefoil, and cicer milkvetch. There appears to be some difference between varieties, for forage yield, with in each of species (See Tables F 5 &F 6). 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.