Forage Crops in Alaska

Abstract

Forage crops can be defined as the aboveground growth (stems, leaves, and sometimes seed heads and immature seeds) of plants that are gathered and fed to herbivorous, domestic animals. Similar plant growth that is grazed directly by livestock in rotational or permanent pastures, but on a less extensive basis than rangelands, is also considered in this discussion. For the most part, forage crops are herbaceous (nonwoody) members of two large plant families—grasses and legumes. The grass family world-wide numbers about 5,000 species, but only about three dozen of these are important as forages. The legume family includes more than 12,000 species world-wide, fewer than 20 of which are considered to be important forage crops.