Forage species
Altus
Bird’s foot trefoil
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Altus, a birdsfoot trefoil variety selected for its persistence and productivity in mixtures
Fonctionnal benefits
- A persistent variety in meadows;
- Improved forage quality;
- Improved herd health;
- Potentially reduced methane emissions.
The benefits in detail
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Trefoil in meadows:
- ALTUS is a variety that has been selected for its productivity in forage mixtures (yield: 126% vs. controls).
- ALTUS has very good durability (7.5) in a wide range of soil and climatic conditions, and good drought tolerance (7.3).
- In our trials, after 2 years of operation, 60% of ALTUS plants were still present in the mix, compared with 23% for the control varieties.
Improved forage quality:
- Bird's-foot trefoil is a legume that increases the protein content of fodder.
- In addition, its high tannin content (1-5%) improves protein assimilation by limiting its breakdown in the rumen (by-pass effect).
Improved herd health:
- The high tannin content of birdsfoot trefoil reduces the risk of weathering, so its inclusion in mixtures, particularly with white clover, is recommended.
- In small ruminants, incorporating tannins into the ration helps to control digestive strongyles.
Finally, trefoil's high tannin content could help reduce methane emissions.
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Non-contractual document. The information contained in this document is for guidance only and may vary according to soil and climate conditions.