FORAGE PERFORMANCE TRIALS IN NEW HAMPSHIRE 



by 

 D. W. Koch and G. M. Dunn^ 



INTRODUCTION 



This publication reports the results of alfalfa, timothy and smooth 

 bromegrass variety trials at the University of New Hampshire Agricultural 

 Experiment Station located at Madbury, N.H., during the period 1970-75. 

 Desirable forage traits include higher yield potential, increased insect and disease 

 resistance, greater tolerance to frequent cutting, and increased persistence. 

 Recently released varieties with one or more of these characteristics need to be 

 evaluated alongside of locally adapted and currently recommended varieties. The 

 reader is cautioned that varietal yield comparisons may be different at other 

 locations and in other years. The testing of varieties does not constitute 

 recommendation by the University of New Hampshire. 



Alfalfa 



Acreage of alfalfa in New Hampshire and throughout the Northeast has 

 increased in the past 20 years (1). Alfalfa is adapted to deep, well-drained soils. 

 Although grasses provide some protection to alfalfa on imperfectly drained soils, 

 considerable loss of stand from winterkilling usually results. If grown on 

 carefully selected soils where it is adapted and under good management, alfalfa 

 produces the highest yeld and quality of nutrients of the perennial forage crops. 

 In contrast to the cool-season grasses, it produces considerably more summer 

 growth (3). 



A significant advantage of alfalfa is that it does not require nitrogen, the most 

 expensive fertilizer element. For maximum yield it requires more potassium than 

 other legumes and adapted grasses. It is also more sensitive to low pH. Success 

 often depends on proper adjustment of pH before seeding (7). 



Unfavorable weather at harvest time can substantially reduce quality of 

 alfalfa hay. Harvesting and storing as hay-crop silage (haylage) helps to insure 

 preservation of the high nutritive value of alfalfa. 



Timothy 



Timothy was first found growing in this country along the Piscataqua river, 

 near Portsmouth, N.H. It is the most extensively grown forage species in the 

 Northeast, although acreage has declined as other species have been improved 

 and introduced. Timothy is well adapted to the cool, humid northeastern U.S. 

 climate. It does poorly under droughty conditions, as on shallow and sandy soils 

 (5). 



Timothy is grown primarily for hay or hay-crop silage in clear-seeded stands 

 or with legumes; although, it can be used in rotationally grazed pastures. The 



* Plant Science Department, College of Life Science and Agriculture, University of New 

 Hampshire, Durham, N.H., 03824. 



