Production performance and relative feed value of eight annual forage crops

The performance and nutritional quality of eight annual forage crops were analyzed in Ya'an and Renshou of Sichuan. The results showed that Jincao 8 and Jincao 11 (forage sorghum) had good growth potential in both pilots. The plant height, dry matter (DM) yield, crude protein (CP) yield, and water-soluble carbohydrates (WSC) yield were significantly higher (P < 0.01) than for other varieties, and relative feed value (RFV) exceeded 125.00 (Jincao 11, except in Ya'an, is 114.39). Jincao 11 had the highest DM yield in Ya'an, which was 20.11 t·ha^–1, followed by Jincao 8 and Zhenghong 311 (silage corn), In Renshou, Jincao 8 had the highest DM yield, which was 10.39 t·ha^–1, followed by Jincao 11 and Zhenghong 311. The CP and WSC yields of Jincao 8 were the highest in Ya'an, followed by Jincao 11. The CP yield of Jincao 11 was the highest in Renshou, followed by Yayu Silage 8 (CK, silage corn) and Zhenghong 311. Furthermore, Jincao 8, Yayu Silage 8, and Zhenghong 311 had the highest WSC yield. Based on the yield and quality of Jincao 8, Jincao 11, and Zhenghong 311, these forage crops are suitable for cultivation in two pilots.