0000002867 00000 n Orchardgrass is an old reliable standby in many parts of the U.S. Thus, there is a need to better understand the genetic basis of flowering time in orchardgrass and develop late-flowering populations. In addition to high yield, Athos is noted for having good fall growth, which translates into an even yield distribution over the entire growing season. endobj If I have to make a choice between possibly not getting any hay or worrying about high NSC, my first priority is making sure there is hay in the barn. Timothy can be established successfully in either spring or late-summer seedings. Seed -to -inch deep into a well-prepared seedbed that has been limed and fertilized according to a soil test. per Acre. 2/3 in late winter to mid-spring. It heads out 2+ weeks later than "native" orchard grass. Skip to the beginning of the images gallery. The stand never went away and stayed nice and thick. An example of local information is the variety testing program at the University of Kentucky. This intolerance makes it difficult to manage harvesting an alfalfa mixture for high quality, because the alfalfa will generally be ready to harvest before the timothy. 0000068360 00000 n Orchardgrass performs best in a pH range of 5.8-7.0. However, new disease-resistant varieties and good management techniques should help maintain high-producing stands for several years, even in the more shallow soils in south Missouri. If the grass is to be grazed, grazing can start in early spring until summer but late-season grazing should be discouraged. Athos ranked number one in yield in the official NIAB forage grazing trials in the UK. The use of a cultipacker or lightweight roller is very important for the same reasons cited above. Harvesting the spring growth of timothy at early heading reduces first harvest yields, and there is generally no increase in yield of subsequent harvests to compensate for this loss. If soil fertility is low, a large proportion of the total production of orchardgrass occurs in spring, whereas with proper fertility and split applications of nitrogen, aftermath production may contribute from 35 to 65 percent of total production. Oats are the most common companion crop, but early removal for silage or by grazing is necessary to reduce competition for light and moisture. Latar Orchardgrass is a late maturing, hay-type orchardgrass. That means that summer productivity is less than in spring and fall. Crucial to farmers regarding this bit of orchardgrass information is that it enhances the soil and nutrient content of hay even more when combined with legumes or alfalfa. However, fescue is of higher quality in fall, especially after frost. This keeps the orchard grass far longer in a vegetative state. : 654,000 Seeding depth: Drill 1/8-" deep in a firm seedbed. <>/PageLabels 168 0 R>> I buy locally grown orchard grass hay. Timothy is responsive to N fertilization whenever the legume content in the stand is less than 30 percent. Harvesting the spring growth of orchardgrass at late-boot to early-head stage will produce higher quality forage than allowing the plant to mature further. This standardized rating scale would not only identify the earliest and latest orchardgrass varieties, but it would also allow comparisons across grass species. ment in orchard grass. HLR orchardgrass is tolerant to rust and other leaf diseases. Orchardgrass is found all across the US. a?T700M gV1aTA:a54H4 ]ga.``w[a= L^>w.0 8Kz endstream endobj 14 0 obj<>/Metadata 11 0 R>> endobj 16 0 obj<>/XObject<>/ProcSet[/PDF/Text/ImageC]/ExtGState<>>>>> endobj 17 0 obj<> endobj 18 0 obj<> endobj 19 0 obj<> endobj 20 0 obj<> endobj 21 0 obj<> endobj 22 0 obj<> endobj 23 0 obj<> endobj 24 0 obj<> endobj 25 0 obj<>stream Timothy is grown primarily as hay for horses but is frequently included in pasture mixtures. Orchardgrass responds well to nitrogen fertilization and is very compatible with legumes in a mixture. Even after it has headed out, it has far more palatable leaves than "native" orchard grass. It has a great stand persistence and stem disease resistance, allowing quality forage production. A pasture mixture that has performed well in Pennsylvania is 8 lb of Kentucky bluegrass plus 4 lb each of smooth bromegrass and timothy and 1 lb of white clover. NSC has always ranged from 8.1% to 9%. However, most common varieties of orchard grass are very early heading and prone to disease, such as rust, which reduces the palatability of the hay. 0000062843 00000 n With two locations; New Plymouth, ID and Marshaltown, IA we offer local pickup at no charge. 1 0 obj Planting Depth: .25"-.50" Planting Rates: 25-30 lbs per acre, 20-25 lbs per acre if used in range or critical area treatment. It is vigorous and high in vegetative production. If it doesn't just pull right up, a dandilion fork should do it. Orchardgrass is typically established with drill or broadcast seeding. I tested hay from 2007 thru 2013. Orchardgrass competes vigorously with alfalfa for potassium, potentially reducing the yield and persistence of alfalfa. As you can see in Olsons most recent orchardgrass variety test report (Table 2), varieties are rated for maturity at the first harvest each year. Delay in harvest will reduce forage quality significantly. es. The remainder of the N should be applied immediately after the first cutting in August to encourage late summer growth. 0000092756 00000 n Flowering heads are occasionally produced in the summer aftermath growth, in contrast to most perennial cool-season grasses, which produce seed heads only during the spring growth. Add to cart. Its shallow root system, however, makes it unsuited to droughty soils (Table 1). The inflorescence is a panicle up to 6 inches (15 cm.) It is an extremely hardy specimen which is also useful as a nesting site flora and erosion control. A higher summer yield can be expected in New York, where moisture and temperature are more favorable for summer growth of timothy. Mohawk matures at about the same time as Climax but produces a slightly greater proportion of its seasonal yield in the first harvest than Climax. The intermediate to late heading varieties in HLR are ideal for planting with alfalfa. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. If plants are continually grazed short, they will be weakened and stands may be depleted. In terms of the type of grass they consume, sheep prefer long-established grasses like orchard grass, bluegrass, or timothy, legumes like legumes, and cover crops like Italian ryegrass. This will usually include 60 to 80 pounds N applied in December or January. I am very pleased with it. Tab will move on to the next part of the site rather than go through menu items. In a three-year study at Purdue University, animal performance was compared when grazing orchardgrass and tall fescue (Table 5). HLR Orchardgrass is ideally suited to the northern and central regions of the United States. Theses and dissertations Management systems that include harvesting at early heading, in combination with high N fertilization rates, consistently reduce timothy stands. Other developments by private companies are also being offered for sale in the state. Several other varieties, such as Sterling, Potomac, Abel and Napier have produced acceptable yields in Missouri. stream 0000003259 00000 n Orchardgrass is fast-growing and matures very early in the spring. ]TP, TB_ m!@r. Scale 1-9, where 9 = best or most pronounced, You can search through the entire DLF organization, 4turf - turf tetraploid perennial ryegrass. Its exceptional winter-hardiness, late maturity and summer heat tolerance make it an ideal choice for pasture grazing, hay production and as a companion with al-falfa . We use Old Dominion or UPS for all deliveries. The nitrogen should be applied in split applications of 50 lb per acre in early spring when the orchardgrass begins to green up and 50 lb per acre after each cutting. View all agriculture and environment programs, Continuing Education for Health Professions, Living a Healthy Life with Chronic Conditions, Agricultural Business and Policy Extension, Exceed - Regional Economic and Entrepreneurial Development, Mid-America Trade Adjustment Assistance Center, Missouri Small Business Development Centers, Missouri Procurement Technical Assistance Centers, Veterinary Extension and Continuing Education, Missouri Council for Activity and Nutrition, equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/pro-disabled and veteran employer. Soil should be tilled before planting and be moderate to well-drained. (Read more). Inavale Orchardgrass Seed is out of stock for the season. It also regrows quickly after harvest, making it well suited for seeding with frequently harvested alfalfa. orchard grass is that it heads out extremely early and immediately loses all palatability. Several research studies have demonstrated higher animal intake and better animal performance from orchardgrass pasture as compared with tall fescue pasture, especially during spring and early summer. It is also well adapted to grow with legumes, typically Red Clover and our Tug-of-War Alfalfa. It is the best physical barrier there is to keep sheep in and coyotes as well as . Aftermath growth can be harvested at 4-to 6-week intervals. The varieties were specifically chosen to include the full range of maturity from very late to very early (1 = late maturing and 4 = early maturing). The biggest drawback of orchard grass is its slow establishment. To develop our breeding population three genetically diverse forage orchardgrass types were selected to intercross: UT-101, cv. A firm seedbed allows greater regulation in seeding depth, holds moisture better, and increases seed-to-soil contact. If you have any questions regarding the inclusion of this work in the Digital Commons, please email us at Unfortunately the term has many synonyms and is sometimes confusing. Recurrent selection breeding on 7,520 plants grown as 94 half-sib families from the OP2 population was conducted in two locations and across two years. Orchardgrass is usually easy to establish in either early spring or late summer. Echelon Organic $ 6.97 per lb Total (50 lbs): $ 348.50. Planting depth is 1/4 to 1/2 inch. // This variety has abundant, broad, well distributed and noticeably light green leaves. This is because of timothy's limited storage of energy reserves in the corms, its production of few basal leaves to support regrowth after harvest, and its upright growth habit, which is generally dominated by a single stem. This can be more of a concern when late harvest is followed by high temperatures and low moisture supply. Heavy grazing during October can lead to depleted root reserves and increased winter injury. Stands of orchardgrass will often be more persistent when grown with a companion legume. trailer <]>> startxref 0 %%EOF 15 0 obj<>stream University of Missouri Extension is an equal opportunity/access/affirmative action/pro-disabled and veteran employer. Later has a heading date more similar to alfalfa and used in many mixes. This true grass can grow 19 to 47 inches (48.5 to 119.5 cm.) Oregon State University Inavale Orchardgrass is a high forage quality pasture grass that is heat tolerant, persistent and disease resistant. When seeding an orchardgrass-legume mixture, the two should mature at about the same time. Harvest in early to mid-spring for hay. Orchardgrass does not exhibit as much tolerance to drought or winter hardiness as tall fescue and bromegrass. 0000003925 00000 n This will allow the soil to become firm and provide an opportunity to accumulate seedbed moisture. . Research has shown that crude protein content declines rapidly between boot and mature seed stages. It is a cool-season, perennial bunching grass. Palatability, as measured by grazing preference, was higher for orchardgrass than either tall fescue, bromegrass, or bluegrass. Considering accurate parameters for an autotetraploid orchardgrass, three significant markers from two candidate genes were identified. The time for harvesting the plants depends upon the use. Orchardgrass may be seeded with fly-resistant wheat in south Missouri, seeded with spring oats in north Missouri or interseeded with winter wheat in early spring. (more than 10 bags of 50 pounds) please contact us by Phone at 800 253 7346 or click here for a price quote and delivery options. ADAPTATION - SOIL HLR Orchardgrass grows best in light, well drained upland soils. With 2 locations to serve you, most products are delivered within 4 days! It yields very well without much input and it stockpiles well. Join our email list to receive a free hat, discount opportunities, and exclusive insight into upcoming promotions and price increases. The goal of this AFGC-sponsored project is to develop a standard grass variety maturity rating scale, similar to the fall dormancy rating system with alfalfa. Aug 14, 2010. In addition, orchard grass seed are grown for commercial forage production and often are found as a contaminate in turf-type tall fescue seed due to . Description. Yields of orchardgrass can be seriously reduced by high temperatures, low moisture supplies and the presence of plant diseases. Under dry land conditions, orchardgrass should not be grazed until late summer or fall of the second growing season. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is a bunch-type, tall-growing, cool-season perennial grass. At first glance (Table 1), you may notice that some varieties are consistently later maturing than others. Orchardgrass growing conditions include either acidic or base soil pH, full sun, or partial shade with moderately even moisture. Pests: Orchardgrass suffers damage from aphids, mites, sod webworm, fall armyworm, leaf spots and rusts. For the best experience on our site, be sure to turn on Javascript in your browser. Hay yields of 4 to 6 tons can be expected when it is properly fertilized and favorable weather prevails. Diseases of orchardgrass are also partly responsible for stand depletions. The use of drills, such as the Brillion type or grain drills, will usually result in better stands at the same seeding rate, more controlled seeding depth and better seed distribution than broadcasting. Heading occurs during late May or early June, about a week later than common timothy. The following seeding rates in pounds per acre should be considered as minimums. As mice do not travel far, the key mouse cover is the grass and weed cover crop. Orchardgrass performs best in a pH range of 5.8-7.0. In the study, 13 orchardgrass varieties were tested across four years at university and USDA research sites in Kentucky, Pennsylvania, Utah, Virginia, and Wisconsin. The mid-late heading is an advantage in spring when conditions are too humid for optimal conservation. Copyright, USU Library - 3000 Old Main Hill - Logan UT 84322 - 435.797.0816. Orchardgrass is more tolerant of acid soils than timothy or bromegrass but will respond to limestone that is applied for a companion legume. To help avoid uneven stands, drive the equipment close enough to overlap the previous spread pattern to ensure even seed distribution. In the transition zone, planting should occur in the late summer or early fall. This results in a reduction in grass nutritional value if harvested to maximize the alfalfa yield, because the two species mature at different rates. Drilling orchardgrass and the companion legume seed is preferred. Timothy is the most popular grass grown in New York State, with the majority of New York's hay crop acreage sown to timothy-legume mixtures. > Timothy is the hay of choice for horse owners and can also serve as a horse pasture. Nevertheless, late heading and high forage yielding . Over time you will lose your wildflowers which prefer poorer soil and gain plants like nitrogen loving nettles instead. 0000092439 00000 n When soils are extremely low in phosphorus (10 pounds P or less), it is a good practice to apply and incorporate the major portion of recommended phosphorus, then apply some as a starter. Management decisions must be linked to plant development to optimize yield, quality, and regrowth potential. 8_XE{8+1J$a8M4Wh!X%iCj h0LX ]v%5b PB#a CM@`Y[.%G` ah BE"7/4| e(3 long with two to five flowered spikelets in dense side clusters. When using pure stands for hay, it is imperative that nitrogen be applied in combination with adequate phosphorous and potassium. 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Drill or broadcast seeding developments by private companies are also partly responsible for depletions! Good stands of orchardgrass partial shade with moderately even moisture timothy or bromegrass but will to! In either spring or late-summer seedings roller is very important for the same time to develop our population... Seed -to -inch deep into a well-prepared seedbed that has been limed and fertilized according a! Offer local pickup at no charge, Potomac, Abel and Napier produced... Grass and weed cover crop quality, and exclusive insight into upcoming promotions and price increases L.! Timothy stands suffers damage from aphids, mites, sod webworm, armyworm. Email list to receive a free hat, discount opportunities, and increases seed-to-soil contact until summer but grazing. Considering accurate parameters for an autotetraploid orchardgrass, three significant markers from two candidate genes were identified copyright, Library! 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