YIELD AND QUALITY OF FODDER GALEGA (GALEGA-ORIENTALIS LAM.) AT DIFFERENT HARVEST MANAGEMENTS COMPARED WITH LUCERNE (MEDICAGO-SATIVA L.)

The objectives were to study yield and quality of (i) fodder galega wi th spring barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) as a cover crop in the establish ment year, and (ii) fodder galega at varying cutting frequency and tim e of first harvest in the years following establishment. Yield and qua lity of fodder galega were compared with lucerne. The study was based on field experiments in which cutting frequencies and time of first ha rvest varied. The experiments were conducted from 1989 to 1994 in Denm ark. Main results were: (i) annual yield of organic matter, crude prot ein, and feed units for cattle in whole-crop spring barley and fodder galega were similar to that of whole-crop spring barley and lucerne wh en two cuts were taken in establishment year, and (ii) annual yield of organic matter, crude protein, and feed units for cattle in the years following establishment were higher in lucerne than in fodder galega. The annual yield of fodder galega was greater at two yearly cuts than at three and four yearly cuts, and also greater on sandy loam with a higher water capacity than on fine loamy sand with a lower water capac ity. The concentration of crude fibre increased and the concentration of crude protein, digestible organic matter, digestible energy and fee d units for cattle decreased when the yield increased by delayed harve st of fodder galega, especially at the first cut. The concentration of ash, crude protein and crude fibre at harvest in the first week of Ju ne was similar in lucerne and fodder galega, whereas the concentration of digestible organic matter, digestible energy and feed units for ca ttle was higher in lucerne than in fodder galega.