Goat’s rue (Galega orientalis Lam.), a potential pasture legume for temperate conditions

In this paper, a perennial legume Galega orientalis Lam. (goat’s rue), is presented. This unselected forage legume originating from regions with a Mediterranean climate, grows well in North-European conditions in Finland. It seems to be very persistent and produces yields that equal or even exceed those of red clover in quantity and quality. The trials on management practices and feeding carried out at the University of Helsinki are reported here. The research will be continued on mass selection for low alcaloid and fiber contents, seed production and use of grass-mixtures for making hay or silage.