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Timothy Variety Trial
R.L. Dovel and J. Rainey'
INTRODUCTION
Timothy is a short-lived perennial forage grass that is in high demand for
high quality hay. The development of specialty markets in the race horse
industry has driven prices to levels that are in excess of alfalfa hay prices.
There is an increasing interest in timothy hay in the Klamath Basin yet little
variety yield data is available for prospective producers. This trial was
established to compare the relative yield potential of various commercially
available timothy varieties in the Klamath Basin.
PROCEDURES
Plots were established in August 1988. The trial consists of ten commercially available Timothy varieties arranged in a randomized complete block
design with four replications. Soil samples from the plots were analyzed and
appropriate fertilizer applied prior to planting. Seed was drilled to a depth
of 1/4 inch or greater using a modified Kincaid drill at a rate of 4 lbs/A.
Plots were 5 x 20 feet with a 3-foot alleyway. Water was supplied with a
solid set sprinkler system. Plants were allowed to grow uncut through the
first growing season. Three harvests were taken in 1989 and 1990 when plants
started heading. Plots were harvested using a flail harvester with a 3-foot
wide cutting head. All yields are reported on a dry weight basis.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Establishment was poor due to deep planting. Timothy should be planted no
deeper than 1/4 inch. It appears that seedling vigor of the various varieties
was not the same since some varieties established much better than others in
spite of the depth of planting.
Although Richmond had the highest yields in 1989, it was not an outstanding yielding variety in 1990 (Table 1). Clair was the second highest yielding
entry in 1989 and the highest yielder in 1990, averaging 180 lbs/A more than
Richmond over two years. Due to the importance of stand persistence in this
crop, more emphasis should be placed on the second year yields.
There was little difference in digestibility, as measured by acid detergent fiber (ADF), between the entries in this trial. However, there were
substantial differences in crude protein (CP) between varieties. Average CP
value ranged from 7.6 to 10.4 percent. The two varieties with the highest CP
were Basho and Climax, while Clair had the lowest value (Table 1).
Continued testing is required to develop any valid conclusions on the
yield potential of these varieties in the Klamath Basin. However, the average
yield across two years was in excess of four tons/A. At current market prices
this yield would result in comparable or superior net profits/A to alfalfa
hay.
1/ Assistant Professor, Biological Sciences Research Technician, respectively, Klamath Experiment Station, OR.
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Table 1. Timothy Variety Trial. Summary of forage yield
and quality of ten timothy varieties established
in the fall of 1988 at the Klamath Experiment
Station, OR.
Forage Quality
Protein
ADF
(%) Entry
Yield
1989
1990
lbs/A Clair
Drummond
Timflor
Mariposa
Richmond
11,920
8,393
9,838
10,970
12,210
9,331
6,268
6,980
7,122
8,666
10,620
7,331
8,409
9,046
10,440
40.1
40.2
41.6
40.4
41.4
7.6
9.2
8.7
8.3
7.5
Bounty
Basho
Climax
Champ
Salvo
9,085
7,805
8,042
9,816
11,000
6,980
8,379
8,155
6,525
8,075
8,032
8,092
8,098
8,171
9,539
39.3
39.4
40.2
40.0
40.1
10.0
10.4
10.4
8.5
9.1
9,908
1,777
12
7,648
954
9
8,778
972
11
40.3
1.1
1.8
9.0
1.3
9.7
Mean:
LSD (0.05)
CV (%)
Avg.