Great news for cattle producers. Scientists have
developed a new variety of sainfoin that when
paired with alfalfa in a mixed stand offers bloat-
free alfalfa pasture grazing for cattle.
Development of the new cultivar was led by Dr.
Surya Acharya of Agriculture Canada in
Lethbridge.
With a proposed name of Mountainview, it offers
cattle producers a brand new option to pair with
alfalfa, to provide innovative new options and
many superior benefits. Acharya says this new
sainfoin cultivar is truly one-of-a-kind and
represents an exciting new opportunity for cattle
producers.
Acharya says it is the first sainfoin cultivar that will
survive in alfalfa pasture and grow back at the
same rate after cutting or grazing. He adds it will
prevent bloat in mixed stands to provide
producers with their first real, economically viable
option to allow for highly productive, bloat-free
alfalfa pasture grazing. A new way to win the
battle with bloat is a big step forward to benefit
beef and dairy industries in Western Canada.
Sainfoin is a high quality forage legume crop that
features a condensed tannin concentration, which
is very effective at preventing deadly pasture bloat
in ruminants. However, until now, sainfoin
cultivars have not survived well in alfalfa pasture
or grown back after the first cut.
The new cultivar was bred to overcome those two
hurdles and field trials show it represents a great
success.
Acharya says the Mountainview cultivar achieves
what was set out to accomplish with the sainfoin
improvement program--it grows very well and fits
all the criteria cattle producers have required to
have a solid, reliable option to support bloat-free
alfalfa grazing. He says this cultivar is well suited
for preventing bloat in mixed alfalfa stands without
loss in animal productivity.
For further information, contact Caitlynn Reesor at
780-422-3981 or Ken Blackley at 780-422-3951.
Click here to view the latest Call of the Land.
developed a new variety of sainfoin that when
paired with alfalfa in a mixed stand offers bloat-
free alfalfa pasture grazing for cattle.
Development of the new cultivar was led by Dr.
Surya Acharya of Agriculture Canada in
Lethbridge.
With a proposed name of Mountainview, it offers
cattle producers a brand new option to pair with
alfalfa, to provide innovative new options and
many superior benefits. Acharya says this new
sainfoin cultivar is truly one-of-a-kind and
represents an exciting new opportunity for cattle
producers.
Acharya says it is the first sainfoin cultivar that will
survive in alfalfa pasture and grow back at the
same rate after cutting or grazing. He adds it will
prevent bloat in mixed stands to provide
producers with their first real, economically viable
option to allow for highly productive, bloat-free
alfalfa pasture grazing. A new way to win the
battle with bloat is a big step forward to benefit
beef and dairy industries in Western Canada.
Sainfoin is a high quality forage legume crop that
features a condensed tannin concentration, which
is very effective at preventing deadly pasture bloat
in ruminants. However, until now, sainfoin
cultivars have not survived well in alfalfa pasture
or grown back after the first cut.
The new cultivar was bred to overcome those two
hurdles and field trials show it represents a great
success.
Acharya says the Mountainview cultivar achieves
what was set out to accomplish with the sainfoin
improvement program--it grows very well and fits
all the criteria cattle producers have required to
have a solid, reliable option to support bloat-free
alfalfa grazing. He says this cultivar is well suited
for preventing bloat in mixed alfalfa stands without
loss in animal productivity.
For further information, contact Caitlynn Reesor at
780-422-3981 or Ken Blackley at 780-422-3951.
Click here to view the latest Call of the Land.
Comment