The Sense of Testing Sheep Preference in Tall Fescue Variety Evaluation

Tall fescue (Festuca arundinacea Schreb.) has a low digestibility and a low intake when grazed compared to ryegrasses. To make progress in these traits, we introduced a new way of testing candidate varieties (candivars) in our breeding program. We ran simultaneously a yield trial, in which yield and digestibility were measured, and a preference trial where sheep preference was evaluated using two methods: a qualitative (visual) and a quantitative measurement. In this paper we question whether such a preference test has an added value. Based on results of 18 candivars, we conclude that measuring sheep preference makes sense, because not all varieties with a high digestibility have good preference.