It is often used in pasture production because it is highly palatable to all classes of livestock. With maturity, it becomes open and branched. per acre in hay mixtures. The inflorescence is a dense, spike-like panicle and looks like timothy. Orchardgrass seed viability declines rapidly in storage. Orchardgrass can grow up to five feet tall and prefers well-drained soils and is more tolerant of shade than other pasture grasses. Profit is a late maturity orchardgrass bred primarily for yield potential and compatibility with alfalfa for hay production. Glabrous blades. Hallmark orchard grass is considered a very leafy, early to medium variety with excellent hardiness and persistence. Contact Webmaster, © 2016 Regents of the University of California, Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Environmental Concerns Orchardgrass has been grown in North America since the 1750’s. per acre alone or 5 lbs. Provides versatility for either grazing or hay production. It is shade tolerant and resistant to occasional drought conditions. Orchardgrass does not exhibit as much tolerance to drought or winter hardiness as tall fescue and bromegrass. After four years of the grazing experiment, in which there was additional grazing and drought stress during the last 2 years, there was a 70 to 80% stand of Persist compared to a 0 to 10% stand of (another well-known orchardgrass)” - Dr. Bob Conger & Dr. John Waller, Orchardgrass is also a great companion crop with a legume, such as red clover or alfalfa. It will not “head-out” before alfalfa is ready to cut because of it’s later maturity date. Hallmark is widely used for pasture, hay and silage in the cool climate growing areas. A medium to late maturity orchardgrass with excellent cold tolerance. This will enable harvesting of both species at proper developmental stages and improve the potential of harvesting top quality fora… Close grazing and improved digestibility, when combined with red and white clovers. Orchardgrass, also called cock's foot, is a perennial bunch grass found throughout California to about 8200 feet (2500 m), except for deserts. New diseases keep appearing in orchard grass stands. Barenbrug breeders are continuously selecting for disease tolerance and HLR Orchardgrass is tolerant to rust and other leaf diseases. It has escaped cultivation and has become a weed in certain settings. Orchardgrass is best established on a prepared seedbed, though no-till establishment into an alfalfa … Orchardgrass is a very persistent grass and reproduces by seeds and tiller formation with the ability to head out quickly and fill in a field very well over time. If the grass is to be grazed, grazing can start in early spring until summer but late season grazing should be discouraged. Orchardgrass is a very persistent grass and reproduces by seeds and tiller formation with the ability to head out quickly and fill in a field very well over time. Unfortunately, we cannot provide individual solutions to specific pest problems. Panicle seed head. Long, folded leaves. Its broader spreading and more crown growth habit gives Harvestar the ability to handle close grazing. It starts growth early in spring, develops rapidly and flowers during May. Bred primarily for rapid regrowth Crown Royale is an ideal choice for rotational grazing or hay production. It prevents the flower head from emerging and prevents seed production on the infected tiller. They have a bluish white tone. Prolific, tillering grass. Research is being conducted to identify control methods (Oregon State, 2004). Perennial bunch grass. Description. Orchardgrass is valuable on light textured soils due to its outstanding drought-tolerance. Prolific, tillering grass. Rachilla The point of attachment of a seed to the seed head or to another seed. Identifying characteristics. Oats Seed; Orchardgrass; Organic Seeds; Pasture Seed. per acre alone or 5 lbs. A common use of orchardgrass is to seed it into alfalfa stands that have thinned. Membranous ligule (long and pointed). Orchardgrass is also a great companion crop with a legume, such as red clover or alfalfa. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is a perennial, cool-season, tall-growing, bunch-type grass with a deep taproot. With maturity, it becomes open and branched. It’s used for pasture and hay, and produces high-quality palatable feed for all types of livestock. An improved late maturity orchardgrass selected for increased yields and cold tolerance. Maturity range makes it compatible with rapid recovery alfalfa varieties. Membranous ligule (long and pointed). per acre in pasture mixtures. The plant tends to have a darker blue hue than other grasses. The seed head is dense and spike-like in appearance when it first emerges. It is cultivated for cover cropping and livestock forage. Orchard Grass A fast-growing light-green bunchgrass. It is one of the most productive cool-season grasses, tolerant to shade, fairly drought resistant with moderate winter hardiness. This is a late maturing, hay-type orchardgrass. The foxtail seed head may droop over, which is a dead giveaway that it isn't timothy. Compatible with both three and four cut alfalfas. Glabrous blades. The foxtail seed head may droop over, which is a dead giveaway that it isn't timothy. Orchardgrass is a restricted noxious weed for lawn/ turf seed in the states of Delaware, Maryland, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Virginia and West Virginia (USDA-AMS, 2010). The leaves are a characteristic blue-green color, and the seedhead is easy to distinguish from other grasses. Next, check for the awns, which look like hairs coming off each tiny seed on the head. Seeds are small but light, awned and chaffy. Orchardgrass is a cool season grass that is valuable on light textured soils due to its outstanding drought-tolerance and is also well adapted to other soils and environmental conditions. Panicle seed head. Seeds are very small, narrow, pointed about 1/3 inch long with 95,000 to 1,300,000 seeds/kg. For noncommercial purposes only, any Web site may link directly to this page. Description. Seed: 20 lbs. It is often used i Division of Agriculture and Natural Resources Pasture, woodland, orchards, crop fields, turf, roadsides and other disturbed locations. This Orchardgrass seed can be mixed with clover for hay … Leaf blades are broadly linear, hairless, roughened, and approximately 1/10 to 1/4 inch of an inch (3–6 mm) wide. Flower Seed Head. Orchardgrass is a cool season grass that is valuable on light textured soils due to its outstanding drought-tolerance and is also well adapted to other soils and environmental conditions. Seeds are very small, narrow, pointed about 1/3 inch long with 95,000 to 1,300,000 seeds… Grazing. The stems are round and 50-100 cm tall. It’s long soft leaves make it highly palatable and digestible with the unmatched orchardgrass feed value. Orchardgrass is best established on a prepared seedbed, though no-till establishment into an alfalfa … Pests and Potential Problems Most varieties have good winter-hardiness, although few varieties have superior winter-hardiness. The blade is 5-12 mm wide and 8-40 cm long. It reproduces from seed and forms tufted shoots held together by short rhizomes. Introduced from Europe, orchardgrass is a cool-season perennial bunchgrass. Early Forage Orchardgrass is perennial, cool season, forage bunch grass. Identifying characteristics. longevity. Orchardgrass is commonly found thriving in shady areas, such as orchards and forest borders, which is where its name likely originated. Orchardgrass can be a big problem in tall fescue lawns of residential areas established on existing pasture. Subscribe (RSS) Orchardgrass is a long lived, cool-season perennial bunchgrass that grows from 2-4 feet tall. It is cultivated for cover cropping and livestock forage. It matures earlier than mid or late maturing varieties, has moderate winter hardiness, and regrows quickly. Seeds … It is shade tolerant and resistant to occasional drought conditions. Quick Draw HSG orchardgrass was selected for its quick regrowth, superior yields, disease resistance and palatability. If the grass is to be grazed, grazing can start in early spring until summer but late season grazing should be discouraged. With careful management, orchardgrass can perform a host of functions while adding nutrients and tilth to soil. Orchardgrass is perennial, cool season, forage bunch grass. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is a perennial, cool-season, tall-growing, bunch-type grass with a deep taproot. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata L.) is a bunch-type, tall-growing, cool-season perennial grass. After it starts growing in the spring, orchardgrass tends to head very quickly. Seed head is an open panicle. However, there are several different varieties of foxtail, and some seed heads remain upright. Orchardgrass, also called cock's foot, is a perennial bunch grass found throughout California to about 8200 feet (2500 m), except for deserts. It is well-adapted to the Midwest, Northwest and Northeast. Seedlings are light green with broad leaf blades. Flowers cluster in dense groups of two to four, mostly on one side of the branch and on lower branches, nearest to the branch tip. Persist is an early maturity, persistent pasture orchardgrass. The leaf blade has a little crinkle in the middle. A medium/late maturity, it’s the leading choice for intensive grazing pastures. Superior rust resistance provides high quality hay. Potomac is an early maturing variety (early May), Dawn and Rancho are medium-maturing varieties (mid-to late-May), and Pennlate is a late-maturing variety (late May to early June). Leave some of the plants to form mature seed heads and allow it to reseed for consistent supply of the plants. If your grass seed head looks like a grain head with little fuzzies on it, it could be the common bluegrass. Sterile seed-heads may be 38 to 50 cm (15 to 20 in) up the stems when sprouts appear at the time of second cutting. Pasture Mixes. Tekapo is unique among orchardgrasses, in that it has a low crown and dense, prostrate growth habit adapting it to close grazing. Figure 4: Orchardgrass collar Life cycle and growth habit. Orchardgrass is perennial, cool season, forage bunch grass. Mature plants grow up to 5 feet (1.5 m) tall. Perennial bunch grass. Each spikelet produces 3 to 4 small cross-pollinated flowers. NodeThe place on the stem where a leaf attaches. However, there are several different varieties of foxtail, and some seed heads remain upright. It does not spread vegetatively. Orchardgrass, which is native to Europe and North Africa, only produces a seedhead during its initial spring growth cycle. It is extremely heat and drought tolerant, yet withstands cold winters. Orchardgrass is also used to stabilize soils in sites disturbed by logging, burns, and mining. Pasture Mixes for Horses; Single Species Pasture Seeds; Peas; Pollinator Seeds and Mixes; Rye Grain (Cereal Rye) Ryegrass Seed. A medium to late maturity orchardgrass with excellent cold tolerance. In addition, there is a prominent midvein on the underside of the leaves, and the ligule is membranous. Other identifying characteristics. Seed: 20 lbs. Nondiscrimination Statement, Accessibility It inhabits agricultural land and other disturbed places. Ryegrass For Lawn & Turf ; Ryegrass For Pasture; Sudan & Sorghum-Sudan Grass; Sunn Hemp; Teff Grass; Timothy; Triticale; Vetch Seed; Wheat Seed First cutting in Spring should be done before head emergence (Boot Stage). Sparta is a medium tall growing, late maturity (a week later than Pennlate) orchardgrass. It is our best broad-spectrum variety and … It has shown higher levels of water soluble carbohydrates than other orchardgrasses. The branched flowering head is 4 to 6 inches (10–15 cm) long with upper branches that are more erect and lower branches that are ascending to spreading. Seed: 20 lbs. The intermediate to late heading varieties in HLR are ideal for planting with alfalfa. long with clustered spikelets. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) is a common perennial weed of turf, and can be a contaminant in commercial tall fescue seed. Extra leafy genetic trait provides highly palatable forage. LiguleA membrane or series of hairs on the inner side of the grass leaf where the blade joins the sheath. Also, apply 40 to 60 lb N/acre mid-August for fall pasture. Orchardgrass is shade tolerant and resistant to occasional drought conditions. Other identifying characteristics. Reproduces by seed. Acknowledgements Contact UC IPM, Agriculture and Natural Resources, University of California, © 2016 Regents of the University of California This grass has a panicle-type seed head that is 4-10 inches long and cannot be mistaken for other grasses. Several varieties of orchardgrass have been tested and were high-yielding in Pennsylvania variety trials. It starts growth early in spring, develops rapidly and flowers during May. HLR is … Under irrigation and higher rainfall areas, orchardgrass should be cut at boot stage for the first cutting and then at 4-6 week intervals depending on regrowth. per acre in hay or pasture mixtures. Second and third leaves have fringed or torn ligules at the base of the leaf, but lack auricles. It's not a ground cover grass, as it has a shallow root system and only grows to about 6 inches high. In addition to large areas of the U.S., orchardgrass is common throughout Europe, northern Asia, and the higher elevations of Africa. It blooms and matures seed on average of 10-14 days later than commercial varieties. Orchardgrass does not exhibit as much tolerance to drought or winter hardiness as tall fescue and bromegrass. Orchardgrass is more tolerant of shade, drought, and heat than timothy, perennial ryegrass or Kentucky bluegrass but also grows well in full sunlight. 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 similar size and shape. It is often used i The short, soft awns along the sides of the seed head give the appearance of a fox's tail. Most varieties have good winter-hardiness, although few varieties have superior winter-hardiness. Rotational grazing is preferred for best production, persistence and quality. Crown Royale Orchardgrass. Seed heads are up to 20 cm (8 in.) SheathThe part of the leaf that wraps around the main stem. After it starts growing in the spring, orchardgrass tends to head very quickly. per acre alone or 5 lbs. Orchardgrass is more tolerant of shade, drought, and heat than timothy, perennial ryegrass or Kentucky bluegrass but also grows well in full sunlight. Growing points stay below ground level after the second cutting. The ligule is a coarse membrane that is slightly hairy and striated. A variety of wildlife consumes orchardgrass leaves and seeds. The ligule is membranous and has a rounded tip that is usually toothed or fringed. Leave some of the plants to form mature seed heads and allow it to reseed for consistent supply of the plants. See our Home page, or in the U.S., contact your local Cooperative Extension office for assistance. A common use of orchardgrass is to seed it into alfalfa stands that have thinned. Next, check for the awns, which look like hairs coming off each tiny seed on the head. Demonstrated winter hardiness and disease resistance provide persistent long lasting stands. . Hallmark orchard grass is considered a very leafy, early to medium variety with excellent hardiness and persistence.~~~ Hallmark is widely used for pasture, hay and silage in the cool climate growing areas. With careful management, orchardgrass can perform a host of functions while adding nutrients and tilth to soil. It matures earlier than mid or late maturing varieties, has moderate winter hardiness, and regrows quickly. Cut boot to early head for first cut, then every 4-6 weeks thereafter. Get PDF Reader Extend Orchardgrass exhibits excellent regrowth and is a good choice for spring and summer cutting, then fall grazing. Stems are flattened and are either erect or bend abruptly at the base. Orchardgrass is one of the most productive cool-season grasses, tolerant to shade, fairly drought resistant with moderate winter hardiness. Staff-only pages When seeding an orchardgrass-legume mixture, the two should mature at about the same time. “The most significant and important attribute of Persist is persistence. This Orchardgrass seed can be mixed with clover for hay production as well as increased forage yield. Flowers bloom from May through August. Leaves are V-shaped and folded in the bud. per acre in hay or pasture mixtures. Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) is a common perennial weed of turf, and can be a contaminant in commercial tall fescue seed.The leaves are a characteristic blue-green color, and the seedhead is easy to distinguish from other grasses. There are no auricles. Auricles absent. It inhabits agricultural land and other disturbed places. Seed: 20 lbs. The species is rather slow to establish but persistency is good under hay, silage, and proper grazing management. Seed head: Stiff, mostly compact panicle with lower branches longer than those at top. Figure 4: Orchardgrass collar Life cycle and growth habit. Bred primarily for rapid regrowth Crown Royale is an ideal choice for rotational grazing or hay production. FOR ALL OTHER USES or more information, read Legal Notices. The seed head is dense and spike-like in appearance when it first emerges. Get Flash Player Auricles absent. It matures earlier than mid or late maturing varieties, has moderate winter hardiness, and regrows quickly. Phosphorus and potassium to soil test. This makes Quick Draw much more palatable and drought tolerant. Northern climate winter hardiness and resistance to stem rust. It has no stolons and only rarely has short rhizomes. Orchardgrass produces an extensive fibrous root system. 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