A STUDY OF OAT VARIETIES FOR USE AS ENSILAGE

Abstract

Tall late-maturing varieties produced the highest dry matter yields of 25 oat varieties cut in the medium-dough stage at Lacombe, Alberta, from 1959 to 1961. High tillering was associated with small stems and high fiber content but was not indicative of high yield. With the exception of fiber, chemical constituents were not associated with agronomic characteristics. Nitrate (KNO3) content increased under drought conditions, being twice as high in 1960 as in 1959. Since late-maturing varieties were suitable for both seed and forage production it was concluded that breeding for forage was unwarranted.