General Description

Italian ryegrass is a short-lived, highly tillered, cool season biennial bunchgrass. It is usually grown as an annual forage or a quickly establishing, green ground cover. There are two types of ryegrasses: Italian and Westerwold, both with diploid and tetraploid varieties. Ryegrasses cross-pollinate freely and it is difficult to maintain genetic purity. Often, they form a mixture of perennial and annual species. 

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

Italian ryegrass originates from northern Italy. Westerwold ryegrass was developed in the Netherlands from Italian ryegrass, and can set seed in the year of sowing.

Longevity

Will only live 1 to 2 years.

Use

Optimal Time of Use

Throughout the season and a good option for extending grazing into late fall and early winter where adapted.

Recovery After Use

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Highly palatable and highly digestible. Fall regrowth showed crude protein 17 to 23% (dependent on sampling time and variety, at Melfort, 1992).

Drought Tolerance

Low drought tolerance.

Flooding Tolerance

Good tolerance to excess moisture and short periods of flooding.

Winter Hardiness

Low, winter severity determines whether plants survive for a second year.

Soil Texture Preference

Grows best on fertile, well-drained soils but is adapted to a wide range of soil types and textures.

Erosion Control

Can provide quick cover for short-term erosion control, and while perennials are establishing.

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

High tolerance, will tolerate pH as low as 5.0.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Low tolerance will tolerate pH up to 7.9.

Seeds per kg

501,000 seeds/kg (227,250 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Italian ryegrasses can be seeded in mixtures, although it should be seeded at a lower rate to allow establishment of slower to establish perennials.

Ease of Establishment

Italian ryegrasses are easy to establish. Seed in mid- to late May or if concerned about weed pressure, delay seeding until mid- June. Responds well to fertilizer applications (especially N and P). If broadcasting N, apply before seeding or after plant is at the 2- to 3-leaf stage. Functions very well as a nurse crop while establishing other slower growing forage crops.

Competitiveness

Highly competitive in the year of seeding.

Management Considerations

Lack of winter hardiness suggests on planning for use as an annual crop except in areas where winters are typically mild.

General Description

Hairy vetch is an annual or biennial, hardy, cool season agronomic legume, also commonly referred to as fodder vetch, winter vetch, or sand vetch. It has a weak tap root that grows up to 60 to 90 cm (24 to 35 in) with many side branches in the top 20 cm (8 in) and is known as an excellent nitrogen fixer. 

Type

Tame legume.

Origin

Native to Europe and Asia. Now the most used vetch in North America.

Longevity

Annual or biennial.

Use

Hay, grazing, erosion control. Consumption of seed can be poisonous to livestock. Hairy vetch is especially known for erosion control, bank stabilization, winter cover crop, and soil conditioning. It can be a suitable plant in organic and no-till pasture and cropping systems.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring and winter. 

Recovery After Use

The growth habit of hairy vetch means it is typically used once per grazing season.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

High palatability, high crude protein values and very digestible.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

450mm / 600mm.

Drought Tolerance

High drought tolerance.

Flooding Tolerance

Some flooding tolerance but not adapted to poorly drained soils.

Winter Hardiness

Winter hardy but dependent on good snow cover. Vetch seeded alone may be vulnerable to frost heave damage.

Soil Texture Preference

Prefers sandy soils but is adapted to all soil textures.

Erosion Control

High ability to control erosion. Hairy vetch can provide a heavy surface mulch.

Salinity Tolerance

Low to moderate tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Low tolerance, prefers pH 6.0 to 7.5.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Low tolerance.

Seeds per kg

44,000 seeds/kg (97,003 seeds/lb).

Suggested Mixtures

Hairy vetch is commonly fall-seeded with rye for pasture use.

Ease of Establishment

Easily establishes where adapted.

Competitiveness

Once established, hairy vetch can be aggressive and competitive. It sets seed and can proliferate from self-seeding.

Management Considerations

Hairy vetch is normally planted in the fall. It can be broadcast or drill seeded.

General Description

Western wheatgrass is a native cool-season perennial grass that grows from strong rhizomes. It is regularly found in patches mixed with other species in native plant communities. Smooth stems grow to 20 to 100 cm (8 to 39 in) tall and are very erect. The leaves are rigid, flat, 6 mm wide, blue-green with prominent veins. Leaves grow at about a 45 degree angle to the stem. Western wheatgrass plants are often seen growing without seedheads/stems.

Type

Native grass.

Origin

Mixed Grass Prairie of North America.

Longevity

Long lived.

Use

Pasture, hay, reclamation.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall. Cures well of the stem so is suitable for fall stockpiled grazing. Harvest for hay by heading for best quality.

Recovery After Use

Western wheatgrass should be allowed to reach 15 cm (6 in) of growth before grazing in spring. It usually responds favorably to rest rotation or deferred rotation grazing systems. Recovery can occur within 60-80 days in cultivars.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Western wheatgrass is considered good forage and is palatable to livestock and wildlife. In June digestibility is 60% with crude protein around 14%. Digestibility on unharvested western wheatgrass remains the same through fall with crude protein levels dropping to between 7.5- 9.5%. Stockpiled regrowth does maintain high quality (11-16 % CP). Western wheatgrass provides nutritious winter pasture and hay.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

300mm / 510mm

Drought Tolerance

Excellent tolerance. Plants will shut down, but will regrow when moisture returns.

Flooding Tolerance

Can stand up to 5 weeks of spring flooding.

Winter Hardiness

Excellent hardiness. Western wheatgrass’ cold hardiness is comparable to crested wheatgrass and Russian wildrye.

Soil Texture Preference

Suited to all soil textures but grows best on clay to loamy soils. Naturally found on moist to dry slopes and can often be found where water pools in the spring. Often found on solonetzic soils.

Erosion Control

Effective erosion control. However, full cover will take time as seedlings must first establish and then rhizomes spread.

Salinity Tolerance

Slight to moderate tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Not recommended for acidic soils.

Alkalinity Tolerance

High tolerance.

Seeds per kg

253,000 seeds/kg (115,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Native species mixes; legumes and/or tame bunchgrasses for grazing; Western wheatgrass works well in mixtures but creeps aggressively so should be kept to a low percentage in a seed mix.

Ease of Establishment

Western wheatgrass is relatively easy to establish, but seedlings tend not to be very vigorous and stands can take several years to become fully established through rhizome development.

Competitiveness

Can be competitive as it becomes established, spreading mostly by rhizomes. The percentage in seed mixtures should be kept low to prevent western wheatgrass from dominating stands.

Management Considerations

A mixed stand helps reduce the chances of seeded western wheatgrass becoming sod-bound. Manage grazing for adequate recovery. Western wheatgrass works well in a stockpiled grazing system.

General Description

Timothy is a widely adapted, cool season perennial bunchgrass. It is best adapted to cooler, higher rainfall regions or wetter areas. It is considered hardy and reliable, but does not tolerate drought well. Timothy persists in a stand long-term through self seeding and seedling establishment. 

Timothy roots are wide spreading, shallow and fibrous with heaviest concentration of roots within top 7.5 cm (3 in) of soil. Swollen bulbs or corms develop just below the surface and store nutrients for winter survival and regrowth after cutting or grazing. Timothy has strong tall stems up to 120 cm (47 in) tall. Leaves are hairless and rolled during the bud stage. They are relatively wide, up to 12 mm, and flat. The seed head is a spike of densely packed, bristle-like spikelets, each producing a tiny, dark brown seed. 

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

Europe. Most varieties used in Canada come from American breeders.

Longevity

Use

Optimal Time of Use

Summer; some fall use soil zone dependant. Hay the first cut between the headed and blooming. Second cut of a lower yield may be taken or regrowth may be grazed. Timothy is often grazed early in summer for most livestock but graze after stem elongation. Growth slows later in the summer but can be lightly re-grazed. Once the plant is dormant, timothy stands can be grazed in late fall and winter, but it does not hold its feed quality.

Recovery After Use

Palatability/Nutritional Value

If used early in the season before flowering, timothy has good quality, 11% crude protein, and 61% digestibility. Timothy pasture is very palatable in the vegetative stage. At later growth stages, quality and nutritional value decline rapidly. Overall, a highly palatable and preferred species for cattle and horses.

Drought Tolerance

Generally poor drought tolerance. Although some varieties have some drought hardiness, most timothy cannot tolerate short periods of moisture stress.

Flooding Tolerance

Withstands 2-5 weeks of spring flooding. There are differing views in the literature on its tolerance to flooding later in the growing season. Timothy does grow well on moister soils.

Winter Hardiness

Good to excellent tolerance. Winter hardiness is enhanced with adequate snow cover.

Soil Texture Preference

Erosion Control

Moderate erosion control. Timothy is noted for use in wetland upland areas when seeded with other species.

Salinity Tolerance

Not tolerant.

Acidity Tolerance

High tolerance. Timothy tolerates soil pH as low as 4.5.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Low tolerance.

Seeds per kg

2,564,000 seeds/kg (1,163,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Ease of Establishment

The small seeds of timothy must be seeded shallow for establishment. Timothy is relatively easy to establish early in the spring. Heat and drought will cause seedlings to die.

Competitiveness

Poor to moderate competitiveness while establishing so weeds must be managed. Timothy has moderate competitiveness once established. Timothy can co-exist with native species where it is well adapted, but it generally is not considered invasive.

Management Considerations

Drought tolerance is the major limitation with timothy. Timothy responds positively to fertilization. Allow timothy to drop seed occassionally to increase stand longevity. Timothy is best rotationally grazed but can be difficult to manage to not graze too early or during stem elongation and to consider that regrowth potential is low.

General Description

Tall wheatgrass is a long-lived, tall, perennial bunchgrass. It is most often used for rehabilitation of moist or flooded saline areas as it is a top saline tolerant species. It can also be found on dry roadsides and slopes. It has an extensive fibrous root system that can grow 300 cm (118 in) into the soil. Plants form a “bunch” that increases in size with age. 

Tall wheatgrass stems are coarse and grow 100 to 300 cm tall (39 to 118 in). Short leaves are found up the stem. Long leaves grow from a basal bunch. Leaves are 2 to 6.5 mm wide with short hairs that make them scratchy to the touch. Leaves remain green late into the growing season. The seed heads can be over 30 cm (12 in) in length and form a stiff narrow spike, with long gaps between spikelets. Seeds are large and do not shatter easily.

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

Saline meadows of Southern Russia. Varieties have been developed in Canada.

Longevity

At least 20 years. Tall wheatgrass is long lived under ideal growing conditions, but dry conditions, such as found in the Brown soil zone, shorten its lifespan (at least 10 years longevity).

Use

Pasture, hay, reclamation. Tall wheatgrass is primarily used for saline area reclamation, but may then be used off those saline areas for pasture or hay.

Optimal Time of Use

Summer. Tall wheatgrass begins growing in early spring but is slow to grow. It is often grown in moist areas that would be sensitive to early use. Hay before heading for best palatability as it becomes coarse once mature. Tall wheatgrass is best grazed before the stems elongate when most growth is basal, leaving 15 cm (6 in) of growth post-grazing.  Once stems grow, tall wheatgrass becomes coarse and avoided by livestock.

Recovery After Use

Recovery after use is slow for tall wheatgrass. In most situations, tall wheatgrass is best used once per year, but may only need 60-80 days of recovery in the higher rainfall soil zones.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Palatable before stems elongate (heading). Livestock may select against tall wheatgrass in mixes at any stage. Leaves are notably tough. Tall wheatgrass has an average early season digestibility of 47% and crude protein of 10.6%.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

250mm / 700mm

Drought Tolerance

Fair tolerance. While tall wheatgrass can live through drought periods, it cannot survive through very dry conditions.

Flooding Tolerance

Tall wheatgrass can withstand up to 5 weeks of flooding in spring. It has good tolerance for excess soil moisture and grows best in moist soils.

Winter Hardiness

Good hardiness. Hardiness is not noted as a concern with tall wheatgrass even though it is less hardy than some grasses such as crested wheatgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, and creeping red fescue.

Soil Texture Preference

Tall wheatgrass prefers loam to clay moist soils. It can tolerate high water tables.

Erosion Control

Very little erosion control.  Tall wheatgrass is sometimes used for roadside ditches, but is a large bunchgrass and does not spread outwards.

Salinity Tolerance

High tolerance. Tall wheatgrass has the highest salt tolerance of all introduced agronomic grass species (green wheatgrass is considered equal).

Acidity Tolerance

Low tolerance.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Low to moderate tolerance.

Seeds per kg

166,000 seeds/kg (75,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Seed tall wheatgrass for saline site reclamation. Seed the most saline areas to a pure stand or best mix with other moderately saline tolerant species such as slender wheatgrass, dahurian wildrye, tall fescue, smooth bromegrass and intermediate wheatgrass or pubescent wheatgrass. Saline tolerant varieties of alfalfa can be included in the mix as they will establish where it is less saline. When used in a mixture, livestock may select against tall wheatgrass as it matures.

Ease of Establishment

Tall wheatgrass is slow to germinate and seedlings do not compete well with weeds. Two years are recommended for establishment before use, especially in harsh areas such as saline soils.

Competitiveness

Tall wheatgrass is competitive in saline soils once it is established. It does not usually reseed itself and is not considered invasive.

Management Considerations

Effective weed control may be necessary for establishment as tall wheatgrass seedlings may take two years to fully establish. Irrigation and fertilization can enhance production. While tall wheatgrass has high salinity tolerance it does not grow well on dry sites.

General Description

Tall fescue is a deep-rooted, perennial bunchgrass. Although it is considered a cool season grass and is adapted to cool and humid climates, tall fescue can tolerate more heat than other cool season grasses. It has an extensive coarse, dense root system and short rhizomes. Longevity is extremely variable and dependent on variety. It is similar to meadow fescue but is distinguished by having wider, less glossy leaves. 

Tall fescue has stems that grow to a height of over 100 cm (39 in). They are smooth, semi-erect, and fairly thick. Leaves (12 mm wide) are mostly basal, with blades that are flat, dark green and hairless. The leaves are shiny & waxy and resist drought somewhat; also making tall fescue a bit more challenging to cure for hay. Seed heads develop with 3 to 10 flowers per spikelet. Tall fescue is cross-pollinated and the seed shatters easily.

Endophytes are a fungus that can live within tall fescue plants improving the plant. However, endophytes can produce a toxin (ergovaline) harmful to livestock and wildlife. The toxin restricts blood flow, which often shows as lameness and then sloughing of feet (‘fescue foot’) or the loss of extremities such as the tip of the tail and/or eat. Further, endophytes can lead to reproductive issues, including abortions. The turf-type varieties most often carry the fungus in the seed/plants, which then pass it on to the seed it produces. Forage-type varieties with low-endophyte levels are best utilized for livestock production. Feed should be tested when in doubt.

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

Central Europe, North Africa. Hardier varieties developed in North America.

Longevity

At least 5 years. Persistence is dependent on variety.

Use

Pasture, hay, sailage, stockpiled. Forage varieties with noted winter hardiness should be used. Turf-type varieties are grown for seed production but are not suitable for high forage yield and quality.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall, winter. Hay tall fescue by early heading. Regrowth may be grazed or stockpiled. Tall fescue can be continually or rotationally grazed. Leave at least 10 cm (4 in) for substantial regrowth to occur. Basal leaf growth develops from new tillers throughout the season. Begins growing a little later than other grass- manage accordingly. Good for summer grazing or stockpiling for fall and early winter grazing as it maintains quality well after fall frosts and stands erect through light snowfall.

Recovery After Use

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Good palatability in vegetative stages. Tall fescue has an average total digestible nutrient (TDN) level of 59% and crude protein of 9-12% mid-summer. Endophytes in turf varieties can be a problem for livestock. Purchase endophyte-free seed and test forages from non-endophyte free stands.

Drought Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. Recovers quickly.

Flooding Tolerance

Withstands 2-5 weeks of spring flooding and tolerates wet or waterlogged soil often spring through fall.

Winter Hardiness

Fair to good tolerance depending on the variety. Select varieties noted for hardiness. Winter is highly dependent on variety, snow cover conditions, drought, and breaks in dormancy.

Soil Texture Preference

Prefers deep, moist, silty to clayey soils. Sub-irrigated sites may also be suitable. 

Erosion Control

Moderate erosion control.

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. Good tolerance to salinity makes it a good choice for irrigated saline pasture land.

Acidity Tolerance

High tolerance. Tolerates soil pHs as low as 4.7 but yields better on slightly acidic to neutral soils.

Alkalinity Tolerance

High tolerance.

Seeds per kg

454,000 seeds/kg (206,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Ease of Establishment

Strong seedling vigour helps tall fescue establish relatively easily, especially if competition and soil fertility are managed.

Competitiveness

Once established, tall fescue is competitive. Potentially invasive depending on location and variety. In some habitats in the northern US tall fescue, especially those varieties with endophytes, are considered invasive and persistent.

Management Considerations

General Description

Smooth bromegrass is a high-yielding, cold hardy, long-lasting, creeping perennial grass. Roots are deep, fibrous, and very fine. Once established it develops creeping rhizomes that can become root bound. Smooth bromegrass is used for forage, roadside site rehabilitation and erosion control.

Stems can reach as high as 1.2 m (48 in) in height. Leaf blades are rolled, hairless, large and wide, up to 1.5 cm (1/2 in). There is often a “W” constriction or “watermark” in the upper leaf. Smooth bromegrass forms long seed heads 20 cm (8 in) long with 7 to 10 spikelets and flowers. It is cross-pollinated and develops seed easily. 

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

Europe & northern Asia. Varieties developed in Canada.

Longevity

At least 10 years. Smooth bromegrass is highly naturalized in Canada and found in ditches, field margins, forests, and riparian areas.

Use

Optimal Time of Use

Recovery After Use

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Very palatable to livestock when young. Palatability does decline once headed. Hay nutritional values are generally 11 to 14% protein and 64% digestibility.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

Drought Tolerance

Flooding Tolerance

Withstands 2-5 weeks of spring flooding. Often found invading riparian zones.

Winter Hardiness

Excellent hardiness. Sod allows it to survive nearly any winter situation.

Soil Texture Preference

Smooth bromegrass is adapted for all soils. It yields the highest on fertile loamy soils. 

Erosion Control

Excellent for erosion control. Smooth bromegrass forms sod. 

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. When seeded in saline areas, smooth bromegrass will grow on patches and margins with lower salt levels. As its growth helps lower the salinity levels, it then can spread and fill in gaps.

Acidity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. Smooth bromegrass tolerates pH levels as low as 5.5, but is most productive on soils with pH 6.0 to 7.5.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Seeds per kg

315,000 seeds/kg (143,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

One of the most widely seeded grasses. Often seeded with alfalfa and timothy (area dependant). Stand is best managed to maintain a desired percentage of alfalfa in the stand. If seeded with other grasses smooth bromegrass will tend to outcompete the other grass in a short period. Is now being replaced with meadow or hybrid bromegrass due to their palatability and less competitive nature.

Ease of Establishment

Seed-to-soil contact is important when establishing smooth bromegrass, but it is widely adapted to a broad range of seedbed conditions. Smooth bromegrass seed germinates easily into strong seedlings but stand takes time to establish and thicken in the first year. Seed is ‘fluffy’ in nature.

Competitiveness

High competitiveness and invasiveness.

Management Considerations

Smooth bromegrass stands respond well to fertilization and need to be fertilized to favour and maintain legumes in mixed stands. Consider seeding a higher percentage of a legume initially as smooth bromegrass will spread and increase in the stand over time. It is not a good candidate for stockpiling for use in early spring as it does not maintain its feed quality over the winter.

General Description

Reed canarygrass is a well-adapted, long-lived, cool season, perennial native grass with many tame varieties. It grows best in wet areas but also can tolerate some moist upland areas. This grass often grows on wet sites, and can indicate high soil moisture conditions where periodic flooding can occur for extended periods of time. Extensive sod-forming root systems are produced by crowns below the soil surface. The plant may appear to be bunched but actually produces large diameter, short rhizomes, which in turn produce new shoots and roots. 

Stems are coarse and erect, growing up to 200 cm (79 in) tall. Leaves are pale green, large, flat, and wide up to 20 mm (3/4 in) wide. The spikelets of the seed head cluster alternately up the stem, producing purplish flowers. Seed shatters very easily, and germination ability declines soon after being shed. Select a tame reed canarygrass variety with low alkaloid levels for the best palatability and animal health. 

Type

Native grass. Tame grass (introduced cultivars).

Origin

Native to North America. Varieties used in Canada originate from both North America and Europe. It is thought the hybridization of introduced and North American types has produced aggressive plants in central and western North America.

Longevity

Use

Pasture, hay, reclamation. As a high yielding grass with good regrowth it may be hayed in a two-cut system or grazed after haying.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall. Established stands can be grazed several times during the season, if kept in vegetative growth stages. Easily managed under rotational grazing, and more difficult to manage well under continuous grazing. As soon as reed canarygrass heads out, stems mature and become coarse causing a sharp decline in palatability. Hay at boot to heading to allow for quality and regrowth for a two-cut haying system.

Recovery After Use

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Crude protein of 12 to 15% and digestibility ranges from 55 to 65% early in the season, but protein and digestibility drop dramatically later in the season. Timing of use is important with reed canarygrass- in the vegetative stage palatability is high. As stems develop palatability decreases drastically and quality falls. Use alkaloid-free varieties registered in Canada to avoid problems with livestock grazing and alkaloid toxicity.

Drought Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Flooding Tolerance

Withstands 5 weeks or more of flooding and grows well in waterlogged soils. It is best adapted to wet areas but can grow on moist upland areas.

Winter Hardiness

Good hardiness. Improved by allowing 4 weeks rest from grazing before killing frosts.

Soil Texture Preference

Erosion Control

High erosion control. Thick sod and high competitive ability make this a good candidate for erosion control, especially in waterways and wetter areas.

Salinity Tolerance

Slight tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

High tolerance. Tolerates soil pH values as low as 5.0.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Seeds per kg

1,186,000 seeds/kg (538,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Seed with moisture tolerant legumes for hay or grazing. Often seeded as a monoculture in floodplains or riparian areas. Mixes will with bird’s foot trefoil, red clover for wet areas, and meadow brome grass and alfalfa for undulating topography.

Ease of Establishment

Since reed canarygrass seedlings cannot tolerate flooding, mid-summer seeding is optimal when soil moisture levels are lower and the chance of flooding is reduced. Stands can be thin in early years, but eventually fill in from strong rhizomatous growth. Young stands should not be grazed until they are well established and have developed a dense sod. When establishing new stands, use of pedigreed seed rather than common seed will reduce problems with alkaloids by ensuring that the alkaloid-free varieties are “true to variety”.

Competitiveness

Low competitiveness in early years, but highly competitive and aggressive once it is established. Invasiveness in many situations is considered moderate, as it can escape from pastures and spread into riparian areas, waterways, and wetlands.

Management Considerations

Seek out newer, alkaloid-free varieties for forage uses, or carefully manage the grazing period to avoid alkaloid toxicity in animals. Watch for alkaloid issues in stands established before the development of newer alkaloid-free varieties, especially during drought stress. Fencing wetter areas with reed canarygrass separately can help ensure that these areas are grazed properly to stay vegetative for maximum palatability. Older upland stands can be occasionally spiked, coultered, or knifed to cut roots and rhizomes and stimulate new growth.

General Description

Intermediate wheatgrass and pubescent wheatgrass are tall, spreading, perennial grasses with high yield potential. Pubescent wheatgrass, with its hairy seed heads, is currently considered to be a type of intermediate wheatgrass instead of a separate forage species. Pubescent wheatgrass and intermediate wheatgrass are still often marketed as distinct species. 

Intermediate wheatgrass forms deep, extensive fibrous roots with rhizomes of varying vigour so is often mistaken as a bunchgrass. Stems are 50 to 150 cm (20 to 60 in) tall. Leaves are blue-green to green and 2 to 10 mm wide with thickened and hardened margins. The seed heads are about 5 to 25 cm (2 to 10 in) long in a narrow-shaped spike. “Intermediate wheatgrass” produces smooth seed heads, while “pubescent wheatgrass” has fine hairs on the seed head. Suitable for drier sites with a variety of soils textures.

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

Central Europe, the Balkans, and Asia minor. Varieties developed in Canada.

Longevity

At least 10 years. Persistence is highly related to individual site conditions (longevity noted from 4-52 years).

Use

Hay, pasture, stockpiled. Generally short lived in grazing systems and longer lived in haying systems. Stockpile previously grazed or hayed intermediate wheatgrass. It has also been used in many applications of rangeland rehabilitation seeding as well as for erosion control.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall, winter. Plants should be allowed to reach a height of 20 cm (8 in) before grazing. Best grazed before stem elongation for palatability. Hay intermediate wheatgrass from early heading to flowering- generally later in the year than smooth bromegrass. If to be used as a stockpiled forage, intermediate wheatgrass should be used early in the season then stockpiled to maintain quality. 

Recovery After Use

Requires a minimum 60-80 days of recovery after use. Regrowth can be vigorous in the spring with adequate residues (10 cm or 4 in), moisture and fertility, however regrowth slows later in the season making it difficult to maintain in continuous or high frequency rotational grazing system. Grazing or cutting intermediate wheatgrass more than once per year will reduce stand vigour and persistence in the stand.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Intermediate wheatgrass is highly palatable to livestock and wildlife. Typically, intermediate wheatgrass has crude protein of 12–15% at haying and protein may be as high as 11% later in the season. Intermediate wheatgrass matures later than other grasses, providing a high quality hay when it is grown in a mixture with a legume.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

330mm / 1120mm

Drought Tolerance

Good tolerance. Some pubescent varieties have been noted to have higher drought tolerance.

Flooding Tolerance

Intermediate wheatgrass does not tolerate flooding, but can withstand submergence for about 1 week in the spring.

Winter Hardiness

Good hardiness.

Soil Texture Preference

Intermediate wheatgrass is best suited to well drained sandy-loam to clay soils. 

Erosion Control

High ability to control erosion. Intermediate wheatgrass produces a dense deep root system, especially on moister sites. Root production may be reduced on drier sites.

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Slight tolerance. Intermediate wheatgrass tolerates soil pH to 5.6.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Moderate to high tolerance.

Seeds per kg

176,500 seeds/kg (80,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Intermediate wheatgrass mixes well with a legume for hay production.

Ease of Establishment

Intermediate wheatgrass establishes easily. Rhizomes will spread to fill in space between plants.

Competitiveness

Competitiveness has been variable depending on site conditions, and is thought to be less competitive than western wheatgrass. Its lack of competitiveness makes it a good candidate for mixing with legumes like alfalfa. Intermediate wheatgrass is not considered invasive, although in some situations it has been known to increase in sites where it is planted.

Management Considerations

Intermediate wheatgrass is not suited to continuous grazing. Successful pastures are usually managed for light grazing in a rotation with long rest periods. Hayed intermediate wheatgrass can be stockpile grazed successfully.

General Description

Perennial ryegrass is a short-lived, perennial, cool season bunchgrass. Perennial ryegrass is best suited to areas with cool summers of reasonable moisture without summer drought, and mild winters. It is grown mainly as an annual in western Canada, but as a perennial in southern BC. It is closely related to Italian ryegrass, but is smaller, has folded rather than rolled leaves, and lacks awns.

Perennial ryegrass produces a shallow, fibrous root system, with the majority of roots in the upper 15 cm (6 in.) of soil. It tillers freely and produces a dense sod. Perennial ryegrass produces a dense cover of low-growing leaves, and stems that are up to 60 cm (24 in.) long with a slender spike up to 30 cm (12 in.) long. Leaves are dark green, narrow, hairless, keel-shaped, and folded when young. Lower surface is glossy and smooth, while upper surface is veined and duller coloured. 

There are diploid and tetraploid genetic types (double chromosome types often associated with more vigorous growth but less hardiness) with a tremendous variation in seed size both between and within genetic types. Turf-type perennial ryegrass is not suited for forage use because they are low growing and low yielding- choose a forage-type perennial ryegrass. Crosses between perennial ryegrass and fescues exist.

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

Europe. It is sometimes called English ryegrass.

Longevity

Less than 5 years. Annual in most of western Canada. Short lived in southern British Columbia.

Use

Pasture, hay. Perennial ryegrass grows quickly so it is well suited for use in pastures, usually under short-term intensively managed grazing and fertilized, irrigated pastures. Can be hayed but tends to be low growing and slow to dry.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall. Perennial ryegrass can be used 2+ months after seeding. Perennial ryegrass produces high quality forage but requires good fertility.

Recovery After Use

Recovery can occur within 30-45 days. Perennial ryegrass can be frequently grazed close to the ground and is adapted for either continuous or rotational grazing systems. Perennial ryegrass requires high fertilizer inputs.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Very palatable as perennial ryegrass can be one of the highest quality forage grasses for grazing. Precautions need to be taken to test forage for endophytes and a toxin called lolitrem B, especially if feeding perennial grass seed straws from varieties favoured by the turf industry.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

400mm / 600mm. USDA indicates it withstands up to 65 inches/ year.

Drought Tolerance

Poor tolerance. Perennial ryegrass is very intolerant of drought or high temperatures.

Flooding Tolerance

Withstands 1-2 weeks of spring flooding. Moisture is critical for perennial ryegrass success.

Winter Hardiness

Poor hardiness. Usually grown as an annual because lacks winter hardiness.

Soil Texture Preference

Loamy to clay soils. Moisture must not be limited. 

Erosion Control

Moderate erosion control. Perennial ryegrass is used often in turf and conservation mixes because of its quick green growth and ground cover, early in the year of establishment.

Salinity Tolerance

Slight tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. Perennial ryegrass produces and thrives best on neutral soils.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Seeds per kg

530,000 seeds/kg (240,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Often seeded in a pure stand. Compatible with alfalfa and clovers. Perennial ryegrass may be included in an erosion mix to provide quick cover in the year of establishment.

Ease of Establishment

Perennial ryegrass is easy to establish. It germinates quickly and can be vigorous enough to graze two months after emergence.

Competitiveness

High competitiveness as it produces a dense growth. Low invasiveness.

Management Considerations

If the goal is a longer term stand of perennial ryegrass it will need to be reseeded often (or patch seeded), it requires high fertility, and moisture must not be limited – irrigation is beneficial. Read seed mix labels carefully to understand if and when perennial ryegrass is included in the mix. Select a variety of the forage-type with a low amount of endophyte.