Forages: Variety Selection

Excerpt from Agronomy Guide for Field Crops (Chapter 5)

Order OMAFRA Publication 811: Agronomy Guide for Field Crops

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
2. Updates on Forages: Variety Selection
3. Related links...

Introduction

Forage varieties are evaluated each year in tests conducted at a number of locations across Ontario. The results are published in the brochure, Ontario Forage Crop Variety Performance, available from OMAFRA or on the Internet at http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/performance_recommendations/ofcc/ofcc.htm.

This brochure provides information on the yield performance of recommended varieties relative to well- known reference varieties. Information is also provided on other factors, including persistence, intake potential, fibre digestibility, disease and insect resistance, maturity and regrowth rate.

All forage seed sold under a variety name must be labelled "certified seed" and have a blue tag verifying it. This ensures that the seed is the name variety. Certified seed must meet specific requirements for germination and weed seed content.

Forage seed may also be sold as common seed or as a brand. Common seed and brands may be blends of different seed lots. They also must meet requirements for germination and weed seed content, but these are less rigorous than for certified seed. No assurance of characteristics such as disease resistance or hardiness is possible for common seed. Thus the performance of stands established using common seed or brands is unpredictable, and will often vary from year to year. The use of pedigree seed, rather than brands or common seed, is strongly recommended. Only by planting varieties is it possible to know in advance whether the seed you plant will provide the yield, persistence, disease resistance and maturity that is required for your specific fields and farm operation.

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Updates on Forages: Variety Selection

See Forage variety Performance Report at http://www.plant.uoguelph.ca/performance_recommendations/ofcc/ofcc.ht

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Related links...

• Forages
• OMAFRA Publication 19, Pasture Production

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