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English: On Wednesday, August 3, NRCS Oregon Plant Materials Center (PMC) staff hosted the Novel Forages Field Tour at the PMC in Corvallis, Ore. Over the last year, NRCS Oregon's PMC staff initiated a study on 104 forage plant cultivars to assess productivity throughout the year with different sowing dates and irrigation regimes. Each cultivar was sown in fall, late-winter and late spring in both dryland and irrigated conditions. Up to several times throughout the growing season, each plot is harvested and dry matter per acre is calculated. Later on, the data gathered can be compared against that of other cultivars and species in the study.

The PMC is collaborating on this project with Oregon State University Department of Animal and Rangeland Sciences, who is studying the nutritive qualities of many of the study entries. The end goal is to help inform the development of locally-adapted pasture forage mixes that increase productivity and livestock nutrition. Upon completion of the study in Fall 2023, PMC staff will publish a report that includes seasonal growth production information for all the study entries, with recommended sowing dates for each.

Why is plant diversity in pastures important? A diverse array of forages can support improved soil health and organic matter, as different rooting depths and structures support a wider variety of microbial life below the ground. This in turn increases water retention in the soil. Plant species diversity increases resilience in the face of environmental change and extends opportunities for grazing across multiple seasons. Pasture species diversity can also support greater nutritional value for livestock. Some forage species can provide special benefits, such as reduction in environmental contaminants associated with livestock or have antiparasitic benefits.

Climatic patterns and weather events impact growing conditions; this study is a snapshot in time and is only representative of the weather and related conditions during the study.

NRCS operates 25 Plant Materials Centers (PMCs), each based in ecologically distinct areas, to evaluate plants and vegetative technologies to support USDA conservation programs and practices. PMCs find vegetative solutions to reduce soil erosion, increase cropland soil health and productivity, improve water quality, produce forage and biomass, improve air quality, improve wildlife habitat (including pollinator habitat), restore wetlands, protect streambank and riparian areas, and stabilize coastal areas. The NRCS’ network of PMCs is uniquely positioned to address local, regional, and national natural resource concerns through coordinated activities among the PMCs. NRCS works with cooperating programs to extend the capabilities of our plant materials efforts.