Forage Grasses
Establishment Tips:
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Consider mixing brome with oats to avoid bridging in the seed box.
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Use the small seed box for species like clover, timothy and bluegrass.
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If broadcasting, use a narrow or double spread pattern.
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Consider adding clover to pastures for nitrogen fixation.
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Remember to rest and rotate paddocks and not overuse them!
Orchardgrass
Orchardgrass is a tall-growing bunch grass that is very palatable, productive and persistent in pasture systems. Orchardgrass is a great component of an alfalfa or grass pasture. For best results, use 4-8#/acre in a mix or 15#/acre for a pure stand. Seed at 1/4"-1/2" depth. Orchardgrass is a great frost seeding option!
Our custom mix of orchardgrass has multiple medium - late maturing varieties designed to complement alfalfa. This mix can be used in both pasture and hay fields. ALPHA Pro is designed to have great yield and disease resistance to be a productive companion!
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Alpine II Orchardgrass is a top-rated, very late-maturing orchardgrass. It offers high-quality, disease-free forage later in the season. Alpine II Orchardgrass exhibits superb agronomic traits such as strong seedling vigor, quick establishment, and high winterhardiness as well.
Devour orchardgrass is specifically designed for pastures. This high yielding and exceptionally palatable variety is best for grazing. It has lush leaves and improved persistence that make it a great companion to other grass varieties!
Ryegrasses
Ryegrass is a rapid establishing grass that is sod-forming and has excellent traffic tolerance. It is best for grazing or haylage systems, and can also be used for dry-hay, as a low percentage of mix. Perennial has a lifespan of 5+ years, Italian is 1-2 years, and annual is a single growing season crop. Plant at 1/4"-1/2" depth.
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Payday is a tetraploid variety with improved rust resistance and a late maturity to help it better match the maturity of companion species. It has wide, palatable leaves, and is high yielding. Payday has excellent persistance!
Planting Rate: Mix - 4-10# / acre
Mono - 25 - 30# / acre
Italian Ryegrass is a great short term forage option. When planted in the spring, it will not produce a seedhead until the following year of its two-year lifespan. It has rapid establishment and regrowth. It can be used as a pure stand or mix component. It is also a good nurse crop.
Planting Rate: Mix - 10-15# / acre
Mono - 25-30# / acre
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Annual ryegrass can be a great option for quick forage with minimal cost! It is a good option for grazing or ensiling. Many producers use annual ryegrass in areas that need rapid root development, such as spots with winter feeding.
Planting Rate: Mix - 10-15# / acre
Mono - 25-30# / acre
Tall Fescue
Fescue is one of the most common perennial grasses used. It can be used for hay and grazing systems. It is known for its persistence and its tonnage. It works well in pasture mixes and is an exceptionally good fall stockpile species. It is tolerant of most soil types. Seeding Rate: Mix - 4-12# / acre or Mono - 25-30# / acre. Depth: 1/4" - 1/2"
Fescue Endophyte -
Fescue containing toxic endophyte can have harmful livestock side-effects.
Endophyte is beneficial in that it improves the persistence of the stand; however, it can result in major animal health issues, if not properly managed. Except for KY31 and Econo Waterway Mix, all of our fescue varieties and pasture mixes are either endophyte free or have a novel endophyte (not harmful, but increases longevity). When overseeding existing pastures, keep in mind that infected fescue is already present and can contaminate pasture, even if using e-free or novel endophyte. Consider killing all fescue before introducing novel or e-free fescues.
Estancia is a newer novel endophyte fescue. This class of fescue has a type of endophyte in it that will not harm livestock, but still helps to improve the persistence of the forage stand. Estancia is a great option for those looking for durability, without having to manage KY31.
Evergraze is a very palatable endophyte free fescue option. Its soft leaves make it appealing
to all classes of livestock, and there are no endophyte concerns to manage. Evergraze is a great option for pasture and hay!
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Cajun II is an improved, endophyte-free variety. It is high yielding and persistent. It is suited for most situations and will not have harmful effects on any livestock, including horses.
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KY 31 is an unimproved fescue that contains toxic endophyte, which can be harmful (even fatal) when not properly managed. It is very durable, but is best suited to areas such as ditches that are not used for forage. When using for feed, manage carefully.
Timothy Varieties
Timothy is a popular choice for hay or pasture mixes, especially for horses. Timothy hay is very low dust and very fine. There is a market specifically for pure timothy hay. Timothy can also be used in a mixture. Due to its very small seed size, do not seed more than 1/4" deep. Use 3-4#/acre in a mix or 12-15#/acre for a monoculture.
Climax timothy is a proven variety that has many applications and is versatile enough for hay, pasture, or short term rotation. It is easy to establish, very palatable, and cost effective. It is medium maturing.
Clair is a high-yielding, early-maturing variety that is well suited to both grass and alfalfa mixtures. It is a great choice for hay production and can offer the quality needed for high dollar hay markets.
Additional Species
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Brome is a very persistent and winter hardy perennial grass. It prefers well drained soils and is great as a sod-forming component to prevent erosion. Brome typically does not offer much yield until the second year of production, so consider adding oats as a nurse crop for additional tonnage during the first year.
Seeding Rate: Mix - 6-12# / acre
Mono - 15-20# / acre
Depth: 1/4" - 1/2"
KBG is a rhizomatous sod-forming grass. It is a long-lasting perennial that works well in grazing systems due to its tolerance of close grazing. KBG is slower to germinate and establish than some other species, but it spreads quickly once established.
Seeding Rate: Mix - 3-6# / acre
Mono - 15# / acre
Depth: 1/4" - 1/2"
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Reed Canarygrass is great for wet areas such as along creeks that tend to flood. It is a sod forming, tall growing perennial grass. It can be aggressive and will often crowd out other species, making it best suited for monoculture. Do not graze or mow under 3-4" height.
Seeding Rate: Mix - Not Suggested
Mono - 8-12# / acre
Depth: 1/4" - 1/2"