Research Coordinator: Dr. Akim Omokanye
Collaborators: Dr. Surya Acharya, Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada, Lethbridge
Location: Fairview Research Farm on RR #35, MD of Fairview
From: Peace Country Beef & Forage Association 2014 Annual Report
Sainfoin, a condensed-tannin-containing legume, when present in alfalfa pasture prevents bloat in grazing cattle. Earlier studies have shown that 15% or more sainfoin in an alfalfa mixture can eliminate risk of pasture bloat. However, old sainfoin cultivars do not persist in alfalfa stands for long and in new mixed stands do not regrow at the same rate as alfalfa after cutting or grazing. In pure stands the old cultivars produce less forage yield than alfalfa. At Lethbridge, new sainfoin populations were developed from selections with improved forage yield, re-growth potential and persistence in mixed stands. A multiyear and multi-location study was initiated to determine if these new sainfoin germplasm developed for their ability to survive with alfalfa can perform better than old cultivars in Western Canada. In collaboration with some Applied Research Associations in Alberta, Dr. Acharya is testing some experimental sainfoin lines in alternate row mixtures with an alfalfa variety to evaluate among other attributes: adaptation, growth, persistency, forage yield and quality in parts of Alberta. PCBFA is fortunate to be a part of this collaboration, which started in 2013. The following report provides a progress for 2014 (second year of the trial). The trial will continue for a few more years.
Methods
Trial site - Fairview Research Farm (NW5-82-3W6) on RR #35. Prior to seeding in 2013, a smooth seedbed was prepared by cultivating and packing. Credit® was sprayed for pre-seed weed control. The site had a canola variety trial in 2011 but left to fallow in summer of 2012. The site had a pH of 5.4 and 8.8% organic matter.
The forages were arranged in a randomized complete block design with four replications. Three experimental sainfoin lines designated LRC05-3900, LRC05-3901, LRC05-3902, and Nova (check) were seeded in the same row mixtures with AC Grazeland alfalfa seeded and fertilized on May 23, 2013 with a Fabro plot drill equipped with double shoot Atom jet openers. Suggested seeding rates are: sainfoin 30 lb/ac, alfalfa 12 lb/ac. As the sainfoin and alfalfa were seeded in the same row mixtures, we seeded at ½ rate; sainfoin at 15 lb/ac and alfalfa at 6 lb/ac. Seeding was 0.5-0.7” deep. Seeds were inoculated. Small plots measuring 1.4 m x 8.5 m were used. Fertility according to soil test was 40 lb/acre of 11-52-0. Assure II and Basagran Forte were used to control volunteer oats, canola and other broad leaf weeds.
In 2014, no fertility was applied but the plots were sprayed on June 6 with Assure II and Basagran Forte to control weeds. Field Measurements and notes in 2014 will (1) winter kill and early season growth assessments, (2) dry matter yield (DM), and (3) percent composition of each forage type. Cutting was done twice, the first on June 23 when the sainfoin was at 40-50 % bloom (alfalfa was at 20-30% bloom), and the second cut was 6 weeks after the first cut.
