U.S. flagAn official website of the United States government
                    Here's how you know **Official websites use .gov**
                            
                            A **.gov** website belongs to an official government organization in the United States.
 **Secure .gov websites use HTTPS**
                            
                            A **lock** (                            
                              A locked padlock                                                      
                            
                            ) or **https://** means you’ve safely connected to the .gov website. Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites.


Menu Agricultural Research Service
						
                    U.S. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE
 Dairy Forage Research: Madison, WI
 close



    Research

                    Research Projects
                                    Publications
                                    Collaborations
                                    News
                People

                    Staff Listing
                                    CareersSearch small
                    Search
            
            ARS Home
                                About ARS
                                Contact Us




ARS Home Midwest Area Madison, Wisconsin U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center Dairy Forage Research Research Publications at this Location





- ARS National Programs
- Search for a scientific manuscript
- Search for a research project
- ARS Software
- Programs and Projects
- Collaborations
- Subjects of Investigation
- Publications

Title:   Author  item
                                            Martin, Nealitem
                                            Casler, Michaelitem
                                            Riday, Heathcliffeitem
                                            Brink, Geoffrey
  Submitted to: American Forage and Grassland Council Conference Proceedings
                                    Publication Type: Proceedings
                                    Publication Acceptance Date: 5/22/2009
                                    Publication  Date: 6/21/2009
                                    Citation: Martin, N.P., Casler, M.D., Riday, H., Brink, G.E. 2009. New Developments in Forage Varieties. In: Proceedings of 2009 American Forage and Grassland Council Conference, June 21-23, 2009, Grand Rapids, Michigan. p. 6.Interpretive Summary:
                                Technical Abstract: Forage crops harvested for hay or haylage or grazed support dairy, beef, sheep and horse production.  Additional livestock production from reduced forage acreage supports the need for forage variety improvement.  The Consortium for Alfalfa Improvement is a partnership model of government, private non-profit and private profit entities needed to advance long-term, high risk science that potentially will develop large payoffs for ruminant livestock producers. Proof of concept lignin transgenic alfalfa (Medicago sativa) hay fed in total mixed diets with corn silage measured increased fiber digestibility in both lactating dairy cows and rapidly growing Lambs.  Digestible dry matter of one transgenic increased 3.5% fat corrected milk over it’s null line by 2.86 lb/hd/day. Alfalfa stems from reduced lignin genotypes increased sugar yield which potentially could increase ethanol > 50% compared to standard alfalfa.  Perennial forage legume breeding at U.S. Dairy Forage Research Center (USDFC) is focused on forage legume improvement needs of dairy producers for red clover (Trifolium pratense), alfalfa, kura clover (Trifolium ambiguum). ‘WITT’ birdsfoot (Lotus corniculatus) trefoil has been released as a variety with improved yield and persistence. Forage grass breeding at USDFRC is focused on developing new varieties of perennial grasses for grazing systems in northern U.S. Research. Goals are to increase persistence, tolerance to frequent defoliation, palatability and digestibility, and tolerance to environmental stresses.  Variety development is reported for “Spring Green’ festulolium (Festulolium bravnii), a hybrid between meadow fescue and ryegrass, ‘Hidden Valley’ meadow fescue (Schedonorus pratensis), and non-heading orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata).


Return to top


Connect with ARS Sign up


ARS Home
                            USDA.gov
                            Plain Writing
                            Policies & Links
                            Civil Rights Statements
                            FOIA
                            Accessibility Statement
                            Privacy Policy
                            Non-Discrimination Statement
                            Quality of Information
                            USA.gov
                            WhiteHouse.gov