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Posted 17 October 2010. Forage and Grazinglands. A Look at the Major Cool-Season Grasses Source: University of Missouri Press Release. extension.missouri.edu Blue Springs, Missouri (October 12, 2010)--There is no perfect grass for grazing or hay production in Missouri. There are advantages and disadvantages to each type, but knowing a little more about the pros and cons of the major cool-season grasses can help producers select the one that most closely meets their needs, said a University of Missouri Extension agronomy specialist.
Tall fescue Tall fescue is the most widely grown cool-season forage grass in Missouri, primarily due to its hardiness and adaptability, said Travis Harper. Tall fescue can grow on almost any type of soil, and a well-established stand can survive through the coldest winters, the hottest summers and all but the heaviest of grazing, Harper said. It is also the best choice to stockpile for winter grazing. “The biggest drawback to fescue is that it contains an endophyte that produces compounds that can be toxic to cattle and grazing animals,” he said. The effects of this endophyte can be lessened with animal genetics or proper management of tall fescue. “An alternative would be to use endophyte-free or novel-endophyte fescues, but these varieties typically are not as persistent as regular fescue and can be much more expensive to establish.” Smooth bromegrass The forage quality of smooth bromegrass (brome) is typically much higher than that of tall fescue and orchardgrass, and it has very good drought tolerance. Brome makes excellent-quality hay but producers are typically limited to one cutting, as brome does not recover well from plant tip removal, Harper said. Brome is also a high-quality forage for grazing, especially in rotational systems, but the majority of production occurs before June 15, leaving little for cattle to eat during the summer and fall. Brome also requires nitrogen fertilizer application to avoid becoming sod-bound. Orchardgrass “Orchardgrass is nearly as adaptable to a wide variety of soils as is tall fescue, with the added benefit that animal performance is typically greater on orchardgrass than on tall fescue,” Harper said. Orchardgrass can grow in pure stands, but because it is a bunchgrass it works very well growing with legumes such as alfalfa, clover or lespedeza. Orchardgrass is susceptible to a variety of diseases, but disease-resistant varieties are available. The biggest drawback to orchardgrass is that it is not nearly as drought-resistant or winter-hardy as tall fescue or brome. Timothy Timothy is a late-maturing cool-season perennial bunchgrass that provides cattle with high-quality forage later in the season than orchardgrass or tall fescue. “Timothy is extremely winter-hardy and is considered one of the few cool-season grasses suitable for wildlife habitat,” Harper said. The biggest problem with timothy is that it does not persist well under drought conditions. Timothy has long been thought of as the premier hay for horses, but it is not necessary to feed horses timothy hay, as there are many suitable alternatives. Contact: |
