Grass-alfalfa mixtures
After 10 years of study, meadow bromegrass-alfalfa or Russian wild rye-alfalfa mixtures are indicated as the best choices for summer and early fall grazing in southwestern Saskatchewan.
Four grass-alfalfa mixtures – Altai wild rye, intermediate wheatgrass, meadow bromegrass and Russian wild rye, each combined with a creeping-rooted alfalfa – were compared in a grazing evaluation using yearling beef steers.
Forage production of the four mixtures was similar with forage yields related to spring and summer precipitation. Thus yields were high in 1991 and very low in 1992. Choice of grass species affected the amount of alfalfa or weeds in the mixture.
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Meadow bromegrass combined well with alfalfa despite some invasion by crested wheatgrass in one pasture. The row spacing was one metre and may have invited this invasion.
The other three pastures of meadow bromegrass-alfalfa remain productive after 10 seasons. Russian wild rye is competitive and alfalfa is declining in its mixture with Russian wild rye. Altai wild rye and intermediate wheatgrass allowed weed invasion and alfalfa dominance.
The carrying capacity of all the treatments was similar. The average for 10 years is slightly more than one grazing for a cow-calf pair per acre. The range is from a low of 0.5 in 1992 to a high of 2.4 per acre in 1991.
As pasture, Russian wild rye-alfalfa and meadow bromegrass-alfalfa provide lower risk of bloat due to a better grass-alfalfa balance. They also have better quality later in the season when not mixed with crested wheatgrass. The decreasing amount of alfalfa in its mix with Russian wildrye is a concern for long-term sustainable production.
Grass-alfalfa mixtures have higher yields and quality than grass alone and make excellent pasture for season-long grazing or to complement native range.
If the livestock producer is looking for early season grazing, crested wheatgrass-alfalfa comes to mind as a first choice.
For later season use, research indicates a choice of meadow brome-grass or Russian wild rye with alfalfa.
This study will continue.
Mixtures of native grass species with alfalfa or cicer milkvetch are included in the next phase of this work. New varieties of meadow bromegrass are also available.
– Agriculture Canada
