Abstract: To provide an alternative feed source for animals in winter, the study was conducted to develop a suitable, annually sown, cool season, forage legume variety for the arid uplands (>1000m altitude) of Balochistan. Out of 36 experiments, Kohak-96 significantly (P less than 0.05) out-performed the check in 29 and 23 experiments in TDM (total dry matter) and seed yield, respectively, whereas it remained non-significant (P > 0.5) in rest of the experiments. It gave 25-67 per cent TDM and 0-100 per cent seed increase over the check. It gave maximum average TDM (total dry matter) of 6083 kg ha-1 and seed yield 981 kg ha-1 during 1986/87 as compared to 2510 kg ha-1 TDM and 445 kg ha-1 seed yield by the check (local lentil) during 1995/96. The minimum average TDM of 149 and 104 kg ha-1 was given by Kohak-96 and check, respectively, during 1987/88 with spring-planting. At the same time, the minimum seed yield was also obtained from both in the same season and the check could not produce any seed at all indicating the in-appropriateness of planting Kohak-96 in spring in the most dry years. Application of Rhizobium inoculum and 60 kg ha-1 phosphate fertilizer at the time of sowing of Kohak-96 gave significantly (P less than 0.05) higher TDM and seed yield than non-application of these two agronomic inputs. A seed rate of 60 kg ha-1 gave significantly (P less than 0.05) higher TDM and seed yield than other seed rates. Forage production gradually increased from pre-flowering to maturity in Kohak-96 and the check (local barley, used only for grazing studies). Kohak-96 significantly (P less than 0.05) out-performed the local barley in forage production at all phenological stages. The forage intake by sheep was significantly (P less than 0.05) higher for Kohak-96 at the first two stages of growth but less than the check at maturity. The sheep grazing Kohak-96 gained significantly (P less than 0.05) more weight than the sheep grazing barley consistently at all phenological stages. This indicates that sheep could be maintained successfully on Kohak-96, cultivated under rainfed conditions in winter, during forage deficit period without any loss in their body weight and it can also act as winter forage reserve.