Results from the 2014 Ohio Forage Performance Trials are now available online athttp://oardc.osu.edu/forage2014/. The report includes yield trials of commercial varieties of alfalfa, red and white clover, orchardgrass, tall fescue, and annual ryegrass in tests planted in 2011 to 2014 across three sites in Ohio: South Charleston, Wooster, and North Baltimore. There is also a downloadable pdf file for easy printing of the results, as well as downloadable Excel files.
The established alfalfa trial at North Baltimore had the highest yield, averaging 7.3 tons/acre. A new spring seeding at South Charleston was established later than we recommend, but performed reasonably well considering the late planting date. Red clover yields averaged 5.7 tons/acre, with individual varieties ranging from 4.3 to 6.3 tons/acre in the second year of this trial. White clover varieties averaged only 1.5 tons/acre for the year. New orchardgrass and tall fescue seedings were made in May much later than is advisable; acceptable stands were established but forage yields were less than 2 tons/acre this seeding year.
The results in the performance trials and those described in the accompanying article below demonstrate the importance of selecting adapted varieties with a proven yield record across locations.