New cicer milkvetch (Astragalus cicer) cultivars were evaluated for forage yield and quality in stockpiled harvests (fall harvest only) compared to simulated pasture or hay plus stockpiled regrowth harvest systems in 2013 and 2014 growing seasons at Lanigan Saskatchewan, Saskatoon Saskatchewan and Lethbridge Alberta. Cultivars Veldt and Oxley II were compared to Oxley (check) cicer milkvetch and AC Grazeland alfalfa (Medicago sativa) (check) in mixture with Knowles hybrid bromegrass (Bromus inermis x B. riparius). The Alberta location was included because both cultivars were selected at that location. Stockpiled forage yield of Veldt and Oxley II was similar to checks at Lethbridge and Lanigan, but the yield at Lanigan was 70% lower than Lethbridge. Stockpiled forage quality at Lanigan was similar among the cicer milkvetch cultivars and better than that of alfalfa. Producers can use any of the cicer milkvetch cultivars for stockpiled forage grazing in the fall. The Hay plus stockpiled regrowth harvest management system produced superior forage quality and good forage yield compared to stockpiled season-long Stockpiled (fall harvest only) management.
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.