Characterization of new sainfoin populations for mixed alfalfa pastures in western Canada

A series of experiments were conducted to compare nine new sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia Scop.) populations developed to persist in mixtures with alfalfa (Medicago sativa L.) under a multiple-cut management to mixtures with the standard check variety of sainfoin, Nova. In trials at Lethbridge under rain-fed and irrigated conditions, new sainfoin populations produced higher (P<0.05) dry matter (DM) yields as compared to Nova. New cultivars persisted for three production years in mixed stands with alfalfa accounting for >20% DM at each harvest. Condensed tannin (CT) concentrations in new sainfoin populations were similar to Nova and were higher during the bud as compared to the vegetative and flowering stages. One of the new sainfoin populations, LRC-3519 seeded in alternate rows with alfalfa caused a reduction (p<0.001) in bloat incidence as compared to mixed Nova-alfalfa stands. Bloat incidence was reduced by 98% in LRC-3519-alfalfa stands as compared to Nova-alfalfa stands. Average daily gains (>1.0 kg d -1) of steers on alfalfa-sainfoin mixed pastures were similar (p>0.05). Seeding of these new sainfoin populations in mixed stands with alfalfa could prove to be a means of taking advantage of the productivity of mixed forage legume pastures while preventing bloat in grazing ruminants.