Pacer
1. Pacer is an 8 clone synthetic variety. One clone each was selected from Vernal, Scout, Dawson, Weevlchek, and Saranac. The other 3 were second cycle selections of Flemish origin. Clonal selection was based on progeny tests for seed and forage yield, pest resistance, and hardiness in Iowa, Minnesota and Idaho.
2. Pacer appears adapted to the northern half of the USA in areas of good moisture where Saranac and Vernal do well for use as hay, haylage and greenchop. It also does well in parts of the Pacific Northwest. It has been tested across the Midwest from Indiana to Nebraska, and in Eastern South Dakota, Southern Minnesota, Wisconsin, and Idaho and Oregon.
3. Flower color is mostly various shades of purple with 10-20% variegated types. A winter dormant variety with upright growth habit and good late summer and fall regrowth. Pacer is similar to Vernal in resistance to bacterial wilt, has a greater resistance to the pea aphid than Kanza and higher than Vernal in resistance to Phytophthora root rot. It is an acceptable seed producer with a high forage yield potential.
4. Breeder seed was produced in Idaho on replicated clonal cuttings using leaf cutter bees for pollination. Seed increase is on a limited generation basis, one each of Breeders, Foundation and Certified, with Foundation production only in Idaho, Oregon, or Washington. Certified seed will be first generation increase from Breeders or Foundation only.
5. 1976.
6. No.