Growth and Forage Quality Comparisons of Sainfoin (Onobrychis viciaefolia Scop.) and Alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.)¹

Abstract

We calculated seasonal accumulation of dry matter and crude protein in sainfoin and alfalfa and feed quality at three stages of maturity when species were grown on irrigated and dryland. Maximum accumulation of dry matter and crude protein occurred between 2 and 45% bloom for alfalfa and at 100% bloom for sainfoin on irrigated land. Dry matter and crude protein yield trends for both crops were similar on irrigated land and dryland. The maximum dry matter and crude protein contents for both sainfoin and alfalfa occurred at about the same calendar date on dryland but at different dates under irrigation. Decreases in the percentage of crude protein were similar in both species with time. At all sampling dates crude protein percentage of alfalfa was greater than for sainfoin. At similar stages of maturity alfalfa was consistently higher than sainfoin in crude protein, ash, calcium, and crude fiber; and with few exceptions it was lower in nitrogen‐free extract, total digestible nutrients, and P. At the point of maximum yield for each species (10% bloom for alfalfa, 100% bloom for sainfoin) crude fiber and total digestible nutrient content was similar, but alfalfa contained 6% more protein and 9 to 10% less nitrogen‐free extract than sainfoin. We concluded that sainfoin hay would supply adequate protein to meet the needs of beef animals, and that it would supply total available energy equal or superior to that of alfalfa.

Forage Production of Sainfoin across an Irrigation Gradient

“…Ditterline and Cooper (1975) reported no failures in establishing sainfoin. However, persistence of sainfoin has often been reported as less than desirable (Carleton et al, 1968a; Ditterline and Cooper, 1975; Mowery and Matches, 1991).…”

“…Sainfoin is a perennial forage legume adapted to the calcareous soils of the western USA and can be used as an irrigated or dryland pasture species or for harvested forage. Forage quality of sainfoin compares favorably with alfalfa (Carleton et al, 1968a). Jensen et al (1968) reported that gains, feed consumption, feed efficiency, and digestibility were similar for beef cattle fed sainfoin or alfalfa hay.…”

“…pathogens (Ditterline and Cooper, 1975). Additionally, the pods slow water imbibition and contain water‐soluble inhibitors that slow germination (Carleton et al, 1968a). Seed must be inoculated with sainfoin‐specific Rhizobium to ensure N fixation.…”

“…Sainfoin exhibits poor persistence under some management practices (Carleton et al, 1968a; Ditterline and Cooper, 1975; Mowery and Matches, 1991), which has been attributed to root and crown diseases, particularly under irrigation (Cash et al, 1993). Mowery and Matches (1991) also report the timing and degree of defoliation from grazing affect persistence.…”

Feasibility of Grazing Sainfoin on the Southern Great Plains

“…Carleton et al (1968) reported that maximum accumulation of dry matter and protein occurred between 2 and 45% flower for alfalfa and at 100% flower for sainfoin. Compared to NRC (1984) guidelines, protein was above levels required for immature, mature, or lactating beef cattle.…”