Consumption and Digestibility of Crownvetch ( Coronilla varia L.) Forage by Sheep 1

Three experiments are reported in which crownvetch ( Coronilla varia L.) forage was fed to sheep for periods up to 40 days. Crownvetch soilage cut in the early bloom stage was consumed as readily as regrowth ladino doverorchardgrass soilage. Ground, pelleted crownvetch cut in July in the seed stage was poorly digested. Gross energy digestibility and voluntary consumption of chopped, frozen crownvetch cut in early bloom were similar to published values for dehydrated, early bloom alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, and red clover. According to the literature, crownvetch forage may be unpalatable or even toxic, but neither of these properties was observed in the experiments reported. Crownvetch as a forage may compare well with other biennial and perennial legumes. More extensive experiments, in which the yield of animal product is measured, are indicated.