Comparison of Forage Yield and Quality of Forage Legume

ABSTRACT Forage legumes are being used as an important source of protein for dairy farm as well as nitrogenfertilizer. This experiment was conducted to evaluate forage production and quality of five legumes at CheonanYonam College Experimental Livestock Farm for 1 year(2001 2002). Five legumes were crimson clover( Trifolium incarnatum L.) ‘Tibbee’, hairy vetch( Vicia villosa Roth) ‘Common’, red clover( Trifolium pratense L.)‘Kenland’, persian clover( Trifolium resupinatum L.) ‘Leeton’, alfalfa( Medicago sativa L.) ‘Vernal’. All legumeswere shown cold hardiness of 8 rating or higher except crimson clover(7 rating). Flowering stage was observed23th of April for crimson clover, 13th of May for hairy vetch, 3rd of May for red clover, and 12th of Mayfor alfalfa. But persian clover didn’t at harvest. Dry matter(DM) of crimson clover(17.6%) was the highestamong legumes. In DM and total digestible nutrients(TDN) yields, crimson clover and hairy vetch were higherthan those of other legumes. The crude protein of hairy vetch(20.5%) was the highest among legumes. Inneutral detergent fiber(NDF) and acid detergent fiber(ADF), persian clover was the lowest(35.0% and 25.0%).Calculations of relative feed value(RFV) based on NDF and ADF of legumes were over 125(Prime degree)except hairy vetch. RFV and TDN of persian clover were the highest among legumes. According to the resultsof this study, crimson clover and hairy vetch are excellent in forage yield. Persian clover is superior in foragequality among legumes.(