Orchardgrass
4000–8000
Dry matter (lbs/A)
5.8–8.2
Preferred pH
0
Total nitrogen (lbs/A)
Planting information
- Planting window: April–May/August–September
- Planting depth (in): 1/8–1/4
- Seeding rate (lbs/A): 10–12
- Mix seeding rate (lbs/A): 4–5
- Length of stand (yrs): 3–5
- Days to germination: 18–22
Ohio State Weed Lab , The Ohio State University, Bugwood.org
Performance
Orchardgrass is a bunch grass that exhibits reproductive growth of 2-4’ in height and vegetative growth from 6-18”. It is well adapted to most Midwestern farms because of its high yield, drought tolerance, shade tolerance, and winterhardiness. It matches well with most forage legumes, such as alfalfa, red clover, and birdsfoot trefoil. Orchardgrass can produce high-quality, high yielding feed if harvested in a timely fashion (ideally late boot stage to early bloom). If it is harvested in seed production, the forage quality drops rapidly.
Endurance
- Grazing type orchardgrass with lowest crowns
- Medium maturity
- Germplasm selected under grazing
- High yielding