Characterization of new sainfoin populations for mixed alfalfa pastures in western Canada

A series of experiments were conducted to compare nine new sainfoin populations developed to persist in mixtures with alfalfa under a multiple-cut management. In trials at Lethbridge under rain-fed and irrigated conditions, new sainfoin populations produced higher (P<0.05) dry matter yields as compared to Nova sainfoin. New cultivars persisted for three production years in mixed stands with alfalfa accounting for >20% DM at each harvest. Condensed tannin concentrations in sainfoin were highest at the bud stage. One new sainfoin population, LRC-3519 seeded in alternate rows with alfalfa caused a reduction (p<0.001) in bloat incidence by 98% as compared to Nova-alfalfa stands. Average daily gains (>1.0 kg d-1) of steers on alfalfa-sainfoin mixed pastures were similar (p>0.05). Seeding of these new sainfoin populations in mixed stands with alfalfa could prove to be a means of taking advantage of the productivity of mixed forage legume pastures while preventing bloat in grazing ruminants.

Author

• Sottie, Edmund Tei

• Sainfoin -- Research
• Alfalfa -- Research
• Pastures -- Canada, Western
• Forage plants -- Research
• Bloat in animals -- Prevention
• Dissertations, Academic

Identifier

hdl:10133/3417

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:opus.uleth.ca:10133/3417