Agriculture, Fisheries and Aquaculture - Annual Silage Mixture Evaluation 1998

Abstract: On June 10, 1998 a trial with 13 annual forage crops were planted as both single species treatments and treatments in mixtures on a sandy soil at the NB Horticultural Center at Hoyt, N.B. This trial was established to evaluate the production potential of annual forage crops for use as an emergency crop to supplement/replace a loss of perennial forage. The total dry matter yield ranged from 1714 kg/ha to 5100 kg/ha. In 1998, Japanese Millet produced significantly more dry matter yield than all other annual forage species and mixtures tested. Total dry matter production was 5100 kg/ha. Laboratory analysis showed that Japanese Millet had a mean crude protein of 12% and an Acid Detergent Fibre of 31%. It is early in the conduct of this study to differentiate species differences especially with regard to yield, feed quality and palatability. More locally generated data from additional study years will be required to develop sound conclusions.

¹NBDARD, Sussex, NB
²New Brunswick Soil and Crop Improvement Association, Fredericton, NB
³Livestock and Livestock Feed Branch, NBDARD, Fredericton, NB E3B 5H1