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Forage Fescue Pasture Grass Seed
LATIN NAME
Lolium multiflorum
SEASON
Annual
WHEN TO PLANT
Spring - 6 weeks before first frost
MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS
Moderate
CROP HEIGHT
12 - 36 inches
COLD TOLERANCE
Excellent
HEAT TOLERANCE
Moderate - high
SHADE TOLERANCE
Fair - moderate
DAYS TO MATURITY
80 - 100 days
PLANT CHARACTERISTICS
Palatable, quick establishment, high yield
LATIN NAME
Setaria italica
SEASON
Annual
HEIGHT
24 - 60 inches
WHEN TO PLANT
Late Spring to early Summer
MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS
Low
COLD TOLERANCE
Low
HEAT TOLERANCE
High
SHADE TOLERANCE
Low
DAYS TO MATURITY
60 - 85
IDEAL FOR
Hay, forage, birdseed
LATIN NAME
Panicum miliaceum
SEASON
Annual
HEIGHT
36 - 72 inches
WHEN TO PLANT
Late spring to early summer
MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS
Low
COLD TOLERANCE
Low
HEAT TOLERANCE
High
SHADE TOLERANCE
Low
DAYS TO MATURITY
60 - 90 days
IDEAL FOR
Birds, livestock, wildlife, cover crop
LATIN NAME
Echinochloa esculenta
SEASON
Annual
HEIGHT
36 - 60 inches
WHEN TO PLANT
Late Spring to early Fall
MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS
High
COLD TOLERANCE
Poor
HEAT TOLERANCE
Excellent
SHADE TOLERANCE
Poor
DAYS TO MATURITY
50 - 60 days
IDEAL FOR
Grain, waterfowl, food plots
LATIN NAME
Pennisetum glaucum
SEASON
Annual
HEIGHT
36 - 60 inches
ENVIRONMENT
Full sun
WHEN TO PLANT
Late spring to mid summer
USDA ZONES
Primarily 8 - 11
MOISTURE REQUIREMENTS
Moderate
COLD TOLERANCE
Poor
HEAT TOLERANCE
Excellent
SHADE TOLERANCE
Poor
DAYS TO MATURITY
75 - 120 days
IDEAL FOR
Poultry feed, forage, wildlife, cover crop
About...
With its big and deep root network, tall fescue grass is one of the most drought, heat and wear tolerant grasses, is great for grazing hay and is a 100% endophyte free.
MORE PASTURE GRASSES OPTIONS
Forage tall fescue is a soft-leaf tall fescue grass with excellent quality forage, high yields and very good persistence. Compared to other forage tall fescues, our fescue grass has demonstrated superior palatability and is endophyte-free. This forage fescue produces narrow leaves which make thicker stands that are highly tolerant to grazing. Broad adaptability and resistance to major diseases makes fescue an excellent forage choice.
While tall fescue grows best on deep, moist, medium textured soils with a neutral pH, it can tolerate a wide pH range (4.7-9.5), as well as thin or poorly drained soils. There are major differences in its ability to tolerate frost and drought. Individual plants may produce rhizomes which aid in persistence under heat and drought stress. Forage tall fescue grass is well suited to situations where high forage dry matter production and persistence are the main objectives. Forage fescue grass grows well in a range of soil conditions. It can be used for hay production or grazing in both the northern and southern parts of the United States.
Tall fescue is used especially for grazing, stockpiling and hay in the US. It produces most of its total yield in the spring and has a high nutritive value in the fall, making it particularly suited for stockpiled forage. Soft leaf varieties have been developed for increased palatability and nutrient intake. This endophyte-free variety has been developed to lower the alkaloid content of tall fescue and reduce the incidence of animal disorders caused by the endophyte fungus.
This Forage Fescue breeding is focused on:
- Combining palatability & overall nutrient intake with high drought yield
- Introducing non-toxic endophytes to increase persistence & pest resistance
- Increasing rhizome length & incidence
- Resistance to leaf diseases (rust, xanthomonas, hilminthosporium)
- Increased productivity in the summer & fall
Forage Fescue Seeding Rate
25 to 30 lbs/acre.
Planting Directions
SOWING TEMPERATURE
50F - 65F
SEEDING RATE
30 - 40 lbs per acre
AVERAGE GERMINATION TIME
5 - 14 days
PLANTING DEPTH
1/4 inch
SOWING METHOD
Broadcast or drill
ENVIRONMENT
Full sun
USDA ZONES
3 - 9
ESTABLISHMENT RATE
Rast
Tetraploid annual ryegrass that has larger leaves, a higher water content, and better palatability than many diploid varieties. This ryegrass will produce high quality feed for use as pasture, hay or silage. It was bred for vigor, disease resistance, and high performance. It is highly resistant to the major forage diseases including crown and leaf rust, leaf spot/scald, powdery mildew, and pythium blight.
Produces excellent succulant long-term grazing if sown alone or in combination with fall-sown small grains and annual clovers. It is a new generation ryegrass with exceptional plant vigor, forage yielding ability, stress tolerance, and disease resistance.
Protein content is in the 24 to 40% range depending on nitrogen levels applied and stage of growth at harvest.
Annual ryegrass can be used to quickly stabilize disturbed sites subject to erosion because seedling establishment and root growth are rapid. This makes this rye grass and excellent choice for quick erosion control, a cover crop, or for pasture uses.
Specifications
- New Seeding Rate: 30-40 lbs/acre/broadcast
- Grazing Use: Beef, Dairy, Sheep, Horse, Ratite
- Maturity: Late
- Hay: Excellent
- Silage/Green Chop: Excellent
- Controlled Grazing: Excellent
- Set Stocking: Excellent
- Crop Land Pasture: Good
- Drought Tolerance: Low
- Wet Soil Tolerance: Moderate
- pH Range: 5.0 - 8.0
- Fertility Requirements: Medium-High
Planting:
- Plant after all risk of frost has passed. Typically late May through late July
- Teff grass does not germinate well in cool soils. Most planting occurs after June 1st
- Seeding rate 8 to 12 lbs/acre for coated seed
- Broadcast or drill A firm seedbed will enhance germination and establishment
- Seeding depth 1/8 to 1/4 inch
- Emergence in 3 to 6 days under optimum conditions
- For optimum quality, harvest in pre-boot to early boot stage, approximately 45 to 50 days after planting
- Harvest regrowth in 40 to 45 days depending on location and environmental conditions
- Cutting height 3 to 4 inches
- When harvested at the proper stage, crude protein will normally be in the 15% to 20% range.
Management:
In general, 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre at planting will be adequate for good forage production. Small amounts of nitrogen may be needed after each cutting, however, too much nitrogen causes severe lodging. Soil testing is important since teff needs adequate phosphorous, potassium and sulfur for optimum growth. For optimum forage quality, teff should be harvested in the pre-boot to early boot stage, approximately 45 to 50 days after planting at a cutting height of 3 to 4 inches. Harvest regrowth in 30 to 45 days depending on environmental conditions.
Chilly Verde Forage Bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon) is a warm-season, perennial, sod-forming grass is a tall forage bermudagrass with wide, soft leaves. It shows rapid establishment from seed and aggressive spreading from stolons and rhizomes. Chilly Verde has persisted through cold winters in North Carolina, where it was developed, and has excellent heat and drought tolerance. Chilly Verde is adapted to a wide range of soil types and soil pH from 4.5 - 8.0.
When grass is 6 to 8 inches tall you may begin grazing. The best time for cutting is one month after last cutting to get the highest protein levels. Lowest cutting or grazing height should be 3 to 4 inches. Under ideal conditions, Chilly Verde will usually germinate within several weeks. It is hardy forage that is adapted to a wide range of soils from sand to heavy clay. This variety is very drought tolerant but performs best in moist soils.
Seeding Rate: 15 - 20 lbs/acre.
Seeding Depth: 1/8" - 1/4"
The key features of Chilly Verde bermudagrass include:
- Wide pH adaptation
- Extreme drought tolerance
- Fast establishment from seed
- Winter hardiness
- Wide, soft leafs
- Deep roots
- 3 - 5 tons/acre of dry matter
- Several cuttings
- Included water absorbing coating
Establishment
Bermudagrass is an extremely drought-tolerant warm season perennial grass that is adapted to a wide range range of soil conditions. Soil temperatures should be at least 65F and warming when planting. Fertilizer should be applied based on results from a soil sample and Nitrogen should not be applied until 3 - 4 inches of growth. When planted at the right depth and temperature, bermudagrass emerges in 14 - 21 days. Weed control is also a key factor for success. Light grazing or mowing during establishment can help mitigate the growth of weeds.Seed Bed Preparation:
Proper seed bed preparation cannot be stressed enough when it comes to planting any bermudagrass. Seed bed firmness is especially important if no-till drills or broadcast seeders are used. Chilly Verde should be planted in full sun on well-drained soil. Proper drainage is essential for this variety to have successful establishment and development.
Planting bermudagrass in a firm seed bed helps in proper seed placement and reduces the chance of burying the seed too deeply with loose soil. It also provides good seed to soil contact allowing for better soil moisture movement to the seed. Bermudagrass planted in loose seed beds can often be identified by quicker seedling emergence in the wheel tracks of the planter, than in the rest of the field.
Planting Directions
SOWING TEMPERATURE
65F +
SEEDING RATE
20 - 30 lbs / acre
AVERAGE GERMINATION TIME
4 - 14 days
PLANTING DEPTH
1/2 - 3/4 inch
SOWING METHOD
Broadcast or Drill
ENVIRONMENT
Full sun
USDA ZONES
3 - 10
ESTABLISHMENT RATE
Fast
German Foxtail Millet (Setaria italica) - German Millet is a fast growing, warm-season annual grass and a foxtail type millet. German Millet is a fine-stemmed, leafy variety that is commonly planted as a single-cut hay millet and used for forage and birdseed. German Millet is quick maturing and works excellent in double cropping scenarios where time becomes limiting for the second crop. It can be ready to cut for hay in as little as 60 days from planting. It produces hay that will cure easily and be highly palatable for livestock. German Foxtail Millet is extremely drought tolerant and will grow rapidly during hot summer conditions reaching heights of 2 - 5 feet. It does well in light soils due to its high level of water efficiency.
Harvest can be delayed until millet is more mature, but palatability declines significantly with mature seedheads. Millets are less likely to have high levels of nitrates than other warm-season forages such as sorghum. Under drought conditions, nitrate levels may rise and caution should be used if haying or grazing.
- Forage/Hay: It is a single-cut crop that does not easily regrow after harvest. It should be cut for hay in the early head stage for best quality.
- Planting: Plant in late spring or early summer when soil temperatures are 60F or higher. Seeding rate is generally 20 - 30 lbs per acre, drilled 1/2 – 3/4 inch deep.
- Soil: Prefers well-drained soils with a pH of 5.5 – 7.0.
- Caution: Not recommended for horses as it can cause kidney and joint issues.
- Wildlife: Excellent for attracting birds, including quails and pheasants, and for food plots.
Planting Directions
SOWING TEMPERATURE
60F +
SEEDING RATE
20 - 25 lbs / acre
AVERAGE GERMINATION TIME
7 - 14 days
PLANTING DEPTH
1/2 - 3/4 inch
SOWING METHOD
Broadcast or drill
ENVIRONMENT
Full sun
USDA ZONES
2 - 9
ESTABLISHMENT RATE
Fast
White Proso Millet (Panicum miliaceum) - Proso millet is one of the most drought tolerant and cost effective warm season annual grasses that produces large amounts of grain. It is the shortest growing millet and works best in grazing mixes the northern US. Proso millet is an excellent seed producing making it is a great plant for game bird or other wildlife mixes. It performs well in mixes for wildlife cover and is popular for dove, quail, turkey and duck fields. It is also sued as feed for cattle or forage for deer and rabbits.
Proso millet is also a gluten-free, drought-tolerant ancient grain used for human food and birdseed. Known for its mild, nutty flavor and quick cooking time. It's rich in protein, fiber, and minerals, making it a nutritious alternative to rice or quinoa, suitable for dishes like porridge, pilafs, and salads, and it thrives in warm, dry climates where other crops struggle.
Another great use of proso millet is as a cover crop. It is a fast-growing ideal as a short-term summer cover crop (60 – 90 days) for soil protection, weed suppression, and erosion control. It thrives in dry conditions, requiring low moisture to grow 3 - 6 feet tall, and is an excellent option for breaking up crop rotations to improve soil health.
- Application or Use: Cover Crop, Erosion Control, Cattle Forage, Livestock Grazing, Food Plot
- Germination Time: 5 - 7 days, under optimal conditions
- Growing Locations: Warm Season, Transition Zone, Cool Season
- Height: 3 - 6 feet
- Sunlight Requirements: 8+ hours, full sun for best results
- Advantages: Increased drought tolerance; high seed producer under hot, dry conditions.
- When to Plant: Recommend planting time is spring and summer when night time temperatures are consistently 65+ degrees.
- Maturity: 60 - 90 days
- Seeding Rate: 20 lbs per acre
Planting Directions
SOWING TEMPERATURE
65F +
SEEDING RATE
25 - 35 lbs / acre
AVERAGE GERMINATION TIME
3 - 5 days
PLANTING DEPTH
1/2 - 3/4 inch
SOWING METHOD
Broadcast or Drill
ENVIRONMENT
Full sun
USDA ZONES
3 - 9
ESTABLISHMENT RATE
Fast
A common practice is to plant Japanese millet in a low area or slough, then allowing it to flood after it gets large enough to stand above the water level; however, soil temperatures should be above 65F when planting this warm season annual. Although Japanese millet is most commonly used for waterfowl, it is also quite drought and heat tolerant and will produce grain with very little rainfall. Many wildlife species will utilize the grain as the millet matures and falls over, making the grain easily accessible.
Japanese millet can also be used for a cover crop, forage and grazing, and many types of wildlife besides birds.
- Upright, warm-season, summer annal grass that grows 3 to 5 ft tall
- Quick germination and emergence in 3-5 days under ideal growing conditions
- Tolerates wet soils prone to flooding or ponding better than other millets
- Excellent at scavenging nitrogen and preventing erosion
- Finer stems than pearl millet or sorghums, great for grazing
- Wait to plant until soil is 65 degrees Fahrenheit
Seeding Rate: 25 - 35 lbs per acre
Planting Directions
SOWING TEMPERATURE
65F +
SEEDING RATE
25 - 30 lbs / acre
AVERAGE GERMINATION TIME
5 - 10 days
PLANTING DEPTH
1/2 - 1 inch
SOWING METHOD
Broadcast or Drill
ESTABLISHMENT RATE
Fast
Pearl millet is considered as a staple food in Africa and India where it is used to make flour, bread, and porridge. The plant stems can be used for roof thatch and building construction. In countries other than Africa and India it is most widely grown as poultry feed. It is a very robust grass which tillers widely and grows in tufts. It is the preferred choice for forage when compared to similar warm season millets such as browntop, Japanese, and proso millet. Pearl millet production for grain is mainly used for poultry feed.
Pearl millet grass is commonly grown for forage, wildlife, or as a cover crop. It can reach heights of 3 to 5 feet tall under ideal conditions. This multi cut forage grass is preferred over other millets for hay, pasture and silage production because it is highly digestible, high in protein, and free of prussic acid. Pearl millet also makes excellent cover and feed for birds, deer, and other wildlife. Lastly, pearl millet is a great green manure crop for hot summer months. This crop requires warm growing conditions and should not be planted until soil temperatures reach 65 degrees Fahrenheit or above.
Seeding Rate: 25 - 30 lbs per acre
