Evaluation of Forage Legume Potential at Fairbanks, Point Mackenzie, and Soldotna

Abstract

Forage legumes have a high crude protein content and some residual nitrogen from these crops can be utilized by other species that follow legumes in crop rotations. Irwin (1945) compiled the results of early research covering a wide range of legumes, both annual and perennial, at several locations within Alaska, but neither the yields nor the persistence of these crops were comparable to native and introduced grasses. Recommended legumes included field peas and vetches in combination with cereal grains and either alsike or sweetclover in combination with bromegrass for silage (Sweetman et al., 1950). Perennial legume yields (0.5 to 1.9 tons per acre) were low when compared to perennial grasses at the Matanuska Research Farm in southcentral Alaska (Klebesadel, 1980,1983). These low yields were attributed to poor winterhardiness and consequent winterkill of most of the legumes. Formation of ice sheets, direct exposure to lethal temperatures (due to lack of snow cover), and desiccation reduce the ability of perennial legumes to survive winters in southcentral Alaska (Klebesadel, 1974). Yield potentials for perennial grasses may exceed 4.5 tons per acre (Mitchell, 1982), while forage legumes may produce from 0.5 to 2.4 tons per acre in research studies and demonstrations (Klebesadel, 1980; Mitchell, 1986). Husby and Krieg (1987) reported average crude protein contents for Alaska hays to be in the range of 8.3 to 11.8%. Changes in the production potential of Alaskan dairy cattle have effectively redefined the quality of forage that must be produced for the dairy industry. Current milk production potential for Alaska dairy cattle (14,800 lb/yr) requires high concentrations (>16%) of crude protein in the ration (Brown et al., 1989; NRC, 1988). On a dry matter yield basis legumes do not compare well with grasses, but high crude protein content and the cost of protein supplements in Alaska justify further research with both annual and perennial leguminous forage crops. Experiments were conducted to evaluate forage legumes for yield, quality, and persistence potential at three locations in Alaska. Preliminary results from these experiments are presented.