THE SELECTION OF WINTER-WHEAT VARIETIES FOR WHOLE-CROP CEREAL CONSERVATION

Ten commercial varieties of winter wheat were sampled at different sta ges of growth, and dry matter (DM) yields and potential nutritional qu ality, as determined by modified acid detergent fibre concentration (M ADE), were measured. Maximum yields for the different varieties were s pread over a four-week period, when the DM content was above 350 g kg( -1). When the varieties were harvested for conservation as either ferm ented (DM 380 g kg(-1)) or alkaline (DM 580 g kg(-1)) whole crop, the mean MADE concentration was similar at both harvests, with large diffe rences recorded between varieties. At both harvests the quality of the crops was sharply increased by raising the cutting height from 10 to 40 cm above ground level.