20 



Although rainfall in 1982 was well above average, the average temperature 

 was considerably below the 45-year average. Seasonal yields of alfalfa- 

 orchardgrass were signi''icantly greater than those of birdsfoot trefoil- 

 timothy. Average yields over the six-year duration of the stands were similar 

 for sod seeding and conventional seeding. 



In the establishment year legume content of harvested forage was lower 

 with mixtures seeded directly into sod, compared with conventional seedings 

 (Table 7). Correspondingly, protein content of harvested forage was lower 

 following sod seeding. The difference was greatest with the alfalfa- 

 orchardgrass mixture. There was a greater amount of annual broadleaf 

 weeds with conventional seeding in the year of establishment and, while 

 they did not seem to have a negative impact on protein content of forage, 

 they may have affected feeding value. 



Average protein content of forage increased in the year following 

 seeding as legumes dominated stands to a greater extent. Alfalfa dominated 

 to a greater degree than birdsfoot trefoil through the course of the ex- 

 periment. Although the legume proportion of harvested forage declined 

 somewhat in years five and six, there were still acceptable stands of both 

 mixtures with both establishment methods. 



Alfalfa establishment 



May 5 seeding . There was ample rainfall the week following the seeding, 

 resulting in good germination and emergence of alfalfa. Seedling density 

 two weeks after seeding was lowest with alfalfa seeded directly into quack- 



