'Saranac' and 'Iroquois', two of the standard varieties in the trial, were 

 equivalent in seasonal and 3-year average yields. 'Kl-10' and 'W-309' outyielded 

 'Saranac'; however, the differences were not statistically significant (i.e., since 

 the LSD was .45/tons/A, the yields would have to be at least this much greater). 

 Both 'Kl-10' and 'WL-309' were superior in yield to 'Saranac' and 'Iroquois' in 

 the third year of the trial. These varieties seemed to have more vigorous 

 regrowth and generally higher second and third cutting yields. With more severe 

 winters, the survival and yielding abihty, especially for 'Kl-10' compared to 

 'Saranac' and 'Iroquois' might not be as great. 



'Vernal', an old variety and the current recommendation where maximum 

 winter hardiness is desired, ranked eighth in this trial, being outyielded by both 

 'Saranac' and 'Iroquois' in all three years. In more northerly locations or in years 

 where winters are more adverse, 'Vernal' might be expected to have higher 

 relative yields. 



Although lower in yield the first year, 'AT 530' and 'Weevlchek' had higher 

 yields in comparison to standard varieties the second and third years of the trial. 

 'Kanza' appeared to be poorly adapted in that it was lowest yielding in two of 

 the three years of the trial and in the three-year average yield. The stand began 

 thinning out the first year and continued to decline over the three-year period. 

 'WL-307' also yielded poorly, mainly because the stand lacked vigor. 



Timothy 



Varietal characteristics 



The varieties reached the heading stage at quite different times. Harvesting of 

 spring growth is generally recommended when half the plants have an emerged 

 head. Cutting at this stage is a desirable compromise considering yield, quality, 

 and persistence (2). This recommended date varied from June 14 for the earliest 

 variety, 'Toro', to July 6 for the latest entry, TM 64-24, Syn 3 (Table 4). 

 Harvesting later than recommended would tend to increase first cutting yield 

 and insure stand survival, while sacrificing somewhat on forage quality, and 

 possibly decreasing second cutting yields. The first growth of the four earliest 

 entries was cut between June 18 and 20, and the last four latest entries were cut 

 between July 5 and 10, varying somewhat with the year. 



Yields 



Entries are ranked in order of 3-year seasonal yields (Table 4). As with alfalfa, 

 highest yields were obtained in 1974. Although rainfall during the early part of 

 the 1974 season was considerably less tnan in 1973, reserve moisture was 

 adequate for forage growth. Regrowth yields in 1974, compared to those in 

 1973, were higher, even though the season was drier and the trial was not 

 irrigated. Timothy is a cool-season grass and goes dormant in hot weather. The 

 cooler mid-summer weather in 1974 may explain the superior regrowth that 

 year. 



'Timfor', common, 'Itasca', TM 64-23 syn 1 (now called 'Champlaign') were 

 all higher in yield (3-year average) than the standard entry 'Climax'. 'Essex', the 

 other standard, was lowest in average yield over the 3 -year period. However, 

 there were no statistical differences in yield among the 10 entries when 



