Joe Davlin, Manager, Western Agricultural Research Station, OARDC
Matt Davis, Manager, Northwest Agricultural Research Station, OARDC
Lynn Ault, Manager, Schaffter Farm, Wooster, OARDC

SUMMARY

This report is a summary of performance data collected from forage variety trials in Ohio during 2014, including commercial varieties of alfalfa, red clover, white clover orchardgrass, tall fescue and annual ryegrass in tests planted in 2011 to 2014 across three sites in Ohio: South Charleston, Wooster, and North Baltimore. For more details on forage species and management, see the Ohio Agronomy Guide, Ohio State University Extension Bulletin 472, which can be purchased from Ohio State University Extension's eStore at http://estore.osu-extension.org/.

Interpreting Yield Data

Yield data are reported in Tables 2 through 11. Details of establishment and management of each test are listed in footnotes below the tables. Least significant differences (LSD) are listed at the bottom of Tables 3 through 11. Differences between varieties are significant only if they are equal to or greater than the LSD value. If a given variety out yields another variety by as much or more than the LSD value, then we are 95% sure that the yield difference is real, with only a 5% probability that the difference is due to chance alone. For example, if variety X is 0.50 ton/acre higher in yield than variety Y, then this difference is statistically significant if the LSD is 0.50 or less.

The CV value or coefficient of variation, listed at the bottom of each table is used as a measure of the precision of the experiment. Lower CV values will generally relate to lower experimental error in the trial. Uncontrollable or unmeasured variations in soil fertility, soil drainage, and other environmental factors contribute to greater experimental error and higher CV values. However, higher CV values can also occur simply as a result of the mean yield being low (eg. due to weather conditions), because the CV is a function of the mean yield. So a higher CV will often occur where yields are low despite there being no increase in experimental error.

Results reported here should be representative of what might occur throughout the state but would be most applicable under environmental and management conditions similar to those of the tests. The relative yields of all forage legume varieties are affected by crop management and by environmental factors including soil type, winter conditions, soil moisture conditions, diseases, and insects.

ALFALFA

Alfalfa has the highest combined yield and quality potential of any adapted perennial forage grown in Ohio. It is grown on about 330,000 acres. Alfalfa requires well-drained soils with near-neutral pH (6.5-7.0) for greatest production and persistence. Alfalfa trials are initiated each year and data is collected for at least four years unless the stand becomes so depleted that further testing is no longer worthwhile; variety performance should be evaluated over several sites and years.

Guidelines for Selecting Alfalfa Varieties

To capitalize on alfalfa's potential, select high-yielding varieties with resistance to problem diseases. Alfalfa variety rankings for a number of traits described below are reported on the University of Wisconsin forage website, at http://www.uwex.edu/ces/forage/pubs/varinfo.htm.

Consider these factors when selecting alfalfa varieties for Ohio:

1. Yield. Yield is critical to profitability of an alfalfa stand. Select varieties with high yields over several locations and years. Table 2 shows this comparison in percent of the average test yield. Varieties that perform equally well across several locations and years are adapted to a wider range of environmental conditions, which is important because soils may vary on your farm and weather conditions vary from year to year.

2. Persistence. Another important consideration is how long the alfalfa stand will last. Study variety performance by age of stand to get an estimate of longevity of productivity. Some varieties may decline with age more rapidly than others, which may influence your variety choice depending on how long you intend to keep the stand. For long-term rotations, choose varieties with good disease resistance and good performance in the fourth year. If you plan to harvest alfalfa for three years or less, then high performance during the first three years should be given priority.

3. Fall dormancy (FD). Alfalfa varieties with fall dormancy ratings of 1 through 5 are considered adequately winter hardy for Ohio conditions while those of 6 or higher are not considered adapted. Varieties with higher fall dormancy ratings tend to grow at a lower temperature, so they begin growth earlier in the spring and continue growth later into the fall. The fall dormancy rating does not correlate well with winter hardiness within the range of varieties adapted to the Midwest USA.

4. Disease resistance. Variety selection based on yield performance alone is less satisfactory than selections that also consider disease resistance characteristics. Resistance to specific disease-causing pathogens may be the most important attribute in an alfalfa variety. Pathogens can dramatically reduce yield and persistence of susceptible varieties. In an evaluation of older versus newer alfalfa varieties we found that newer varieties yielded more and persisted longer than older varieties, primarily because of improved resistance to diseases that affected the trial.

5. Insect resistance. Alfalfa varieties have been developed for resistance to potato leafhopper (PLH), which is the most consistently damaging insect pest of alfalfa in Ohio. The PLH resistant varieties are not resistant to the alfalfa weevil, and they will need to be protected from that pest like all standard alfalfa varieties when weevil populations exceed the economic action threshold.

6. Compare to check variety. For comparisons of varieties across several trials, always compare varieties to the same check variety planted within the trial. The variety Vernal is used as a check in all Ohio trials and is commonly included in trials in other states. Another good way to compare varieties across trials is to look at their yield in relation to the trial average reported in Table 2.

7. Use good management. No variety can produce well under poor management. Good management considers all aspects of alfalfa production: seed bed preparation, liming and fertilization, seeding, pest control, harvest, storage, and post harvest treatment. Many newer varieties are better adapted to intensive management.

Summary of 2014 Crop Conditions

Weather

Total rainfall for the season was above normal at all locations, with the greatest deviation being at N. Baltimore (3.39 below normal). Rainfall in April and June was above normal at all locations but was variable across locations during the other months. Average monthly temperatures were above normal from April through June, but tended to be below normal for July through October.

Alfalfa

The established trial at North Baltimore had the highest yields, averaging 7.30 tons/acre. A new spring seeding at South Charleston was established later than we recommend, but performed reasonably considering the late planting date, with two harvests taken for a total annual yield of 1.48 tons/acre averaged across all varieties. Insecticide applications were used at all locations for control of potato leafhopper (PLH) in the standard yield trials.

Clover: Red & White

Red and white clover trials were seeded in 2013 at South Charleston. Trials were sprayed after the first harvest for potato Leafhopper (PLH) control to aid new growth due to the high numbers of PLH.

Red clover is better adapted than alfalfa to soils that are somewhat poorly drained and slightly acidic; however, greatest production will occur on well-drained soils with high water-holding capacity and pH above 6.0. Red clover is not as productive as alfalfa in the summer and it generally persists for a shorter time than alfalfa. New varieties are capable of persisting into a third year.

White clover is a short-lived perennial that is well suited for pastures. It spreads and persists over time by vegetative propagation of stolons and by natural reseeding. White clover tolerates periods of poor drainage, but does poorly in dry weather.

Orchardgrass

The new orchardgrass trial seeded at South Charleston had an average yield of 1.54 tons/acre. The test was established later than we recommend and therefore had weed competition in the first growth so yields are not reported for the first harvest. Orchardgrass varieties can have significant maturity differences. Varieties will be rated for maturity at harvest beginning in 2015.

Tall Fescue

The tall fescue trial established at South Charleston in 2014 had an average yield of 1.83 tons/acre. The test was established later than we recommend and therefore had weed competition in the first growth so yields are not reported for the first harvest. New varieties that are endophyte-free or that contain a non-toxic endophyte have potential to provide improved animal performance compared with the old endophyte-infected varieties, especially during the summer grazing season, and to provide forage for beef cattle and sheep during autumn and early winter.

Annual Ryegrass

An annual ryegrass trial was planted in September of 2013 and was only harvested once in November 2013. Due to the harsh winter all but four varieties had severe winter injury or died, so the trial was terminated after the winter injury ratings were recorded. Annual ryegrass is a cool-season annual bunchgrass that is highly palatable and digestible. It has high seedling vigor.

Inclusion of entries in Ohio Alfalfa Performance Trials does not constitute an endorsement of a particular entry by The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, or Ohio State University Extension. Where trade names appear, no discrimination is intended, and no endorsement is implied by The Ohio State University, Ohio Agricultural Research and Development Center, or Ohio State University Extension.

Go to Ohio Crop Performance

11/2014
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Issued in furtherance of Cooperative Extension work, Acts of May 8 and June 30, 1914, in cooperation with the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Keith L. Smith, Director, Ohio State University Extension.