General Description

Meadow fescue is a perennial bunch grass suited to higher precipitation areas, but lacks longevity due to poorer winter hardiness and susceptibility to heavy grazing. It is very closely related to tall fescue, and can be hard to distinguish. Generally, meadow fescue is less persistent, shorter, and finer leaved. It has the ability to cross with perennial and annual ryegrass.

Meadow fescue has bright green leaves with narrow, long (up to 50 cm (20 in) blades and sharp-pointed tips. Meadow fescue is a bunchgrass with short rhizomes that give it a weakly creeping habit. The sheath is split with the margins overlapping at the bottom. The blade is 3-8 mm wide and 10-50 cm (4-20 in) long, the upper side is dull and the lower side shiny. The edges are rough, and the tip is sharp-pointed. The collar is broad and continuous. The auricles are 0.5-1.5 mm long and usually blunt but sometimes claw-like. The ligule is a very short membrane. The stems are round and 60-125 cm (24-50 in) tall. The inflorescence is a slender panicle. Its most distinguishing features are rough leaf edges, short ligules and claw-like auricles. Meadow fescue is a non-jointing grass.

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

Europe.

Longevity

At least 3 years.

Use

Pasture, hay, silage, stockpiled. Meadow fescue is best used as pasture as growth is mainly basal.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall, winter. Meadow fescue has been replaced mainly by new tall fescue varieties that have equal adaptability and more production and longevity. Hay by heading. Meadow fescue is best rotationally grazed but can be continually with care.

Recovery After Use

If hayed, meadow fescue can be grazed or stockpiled thereafter. Leave at least 10 cm (4 in) for regrowth to occur. Good for summer grazing or stockpil¬ing for fall and early winter grazing as it maintains quality well after fall frosts. 

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Meadow fescue has an average total digestible nutrient (TDN) level of 61% and crude protein level of 12.5% in the vegetative state. Meadow fescue has fair palatability. Meadow fescue remains green into the fall.

Drought Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. It is less drought tolerant than tall fescue.

Flooding Tolerance

Withstands 2-5 weeks of spring flooding. It withstands wet soils season long.

Winter Hardiness

Fair hardiness. Meadow fescue longevity is limited by winter hardiness.

Soil Texture Preference

Meadow fescue grows best on deep, fertile soils but will tolerate variable drainage and low fertility. It has a shallower root system, is shorter lived and is not as tolerant of poor conditions as tall fescue.

Erosion Control

Moderate erosion control. Can be used as an initial species in waterways or channels to prevent erosion as it does not impede water movement.

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Low tolerance.

Seeds per kg

507,000 seeds/kg (230,000 seeds/lb).

Suggested Mixtures

Meadow fescue is compatible in mixes. Species include clover, alfalfa birdsfoot trefoil, timothy and bromegrasses. 

Ease of Establishment

Meadow fescue seedlings can establish well in the first season when competition is managed. It is noted to winterkill easily during the establishment year. Seed a pure stand at a rate of 20–25 kg/ha (18–22 lb/acre) and a depth of 1 cm (3/8 in). In a mixed stand, reduce the seeding rate.

Competitiveness

Meadow fescue has moderate competitive ability. Overall, its longevity is limited with cold winter conditions.

Management Considerations

Allow for adequate rest following defoliation. Cold hardiness is its major limitation. May serve well as a short rotation, good producing grass species for late season grazing.

General Description

Festulolium is the name for a hybrid forage grass developed by crossing certain fescues and ryegrasses. This enables combining the best properties of the two types of grass. The resulting hybrids have been classified as:

As with most hybrids, the plant breeders attempt to breed the best parts of both parent varieties into the hybrid to create something that improves on the parents’ traits with hybrid vigour. The fescues generally are high yielding and winter hardy, while the ryegrass varieties are palatable with high sugar and protein content. Particular attention should be given to hybrid selection to ensure that your desired outcomes are met. There is a wide range of hybrids even within each hybrid segment depending on the characteristics and phenotypes which have been created. 

From F. arundinacea: Very strong root system, high drought tolerance, high waterlogging tolerance and high tolerance to saline soil conditions.

From Lolium perenne: higher degree of persistence, rapid seedling establishment, strong winter activity and early spring growth and overall seasonal yield to meet livestock needs, high seed production potential, good resistance to crown and stem rust and net blotch and fusarium.

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

The first festulolium hybrids were listed in the USA and the UK already in the 1960s. The first hybrids used in agriculture were listed in the end of 1980’s and beginning of 1990’s in Germany, former Czechoslovakia and Poland.

Longevity

Persistence is dependent on variety. A Perennial Ryegrass x Tall Fescue hybrid has potential to persist with proper hybrid selection. Most festuloliums are not to be considered a “permanent” forage grass species in Eastern Canada.

Use

Pasture, hay, silage, stockpiled.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall, winter. Hay festulolium by early heading. Regrowth may be grazed or stockpiled. Festulolium can be continually or rotationally grazed. Enter at 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) and exit/leave at least 7.5 -10 cm (3-4 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. Ideal haylage and silage stage is early boot stage.

Recovery After Use

Festulolium performs best under a rotational grazing system and should be grazed down to 7.5-10 cm (3 to 4 in) when plants reach a height of 25-30 cm (10 to 12 in).

Forage Yield

High.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Excellent palatability in vegetative stages. Hexaploid hybrids should exhibit higher sugar content.

Drought Tolerance

Good tolerance.

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. Winter is highly dependent onhybrid, snow cover conditions, drought, and breaks in dormancy.

Soil Texture Preference

Prefers deep, moist, silty to clayey soils.

Erosion Control

Moderate erosion control.

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Alkalinity Tolerance

High tolerance.

Seeds per kg

499,400 seeds/kg (227,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Grows well with tall growing legumes such as alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, red clover, and alsike clover. Consider seeding with meadow brome and a legume for pasture or stockpiled grazing.

Ease of Establishment

Festulolium is easy to establish due to its rapid germination and seedling vigor.

Competitiveness

Once established, tall fescue hybrid festuloliums can be competitive.

Management Considerations

Festulolium seeds should be planted at 25 to 35 lbs. per acre alone, or at 5 to 20 lbs. per acre if included in a combination with other species. Seeding depth is 1/4 inch. In general, 150 pounds of nitrogen per acre per year will be adequate to maintain a good stand of festulolium. The guideline is to apply 1/3 of the nitrogen in the spring with the balance evenly applied after each harvest or grazing period.

General Description

Festulolium is the name for a hybrid forage grass developed by crossing certain fescues and ryegrass. This enables combining the best properties of the two types of grass. The resulting hybrids have been classified as:

As with most hybrids, the plant breeders attempt to breed the best parts of both parent varieties into the hybrid to create something that improves on the parents’ traits with hybrid vigour. The fescues generally are high yielding and winter hardy, while the ryegrass varieties are very palatable with high sugar and protein content. Particular attention should be given to hybrid selection to ensure that your desired outcomes are met. There are a wide range of hybrids even within each hybrid segment depending on the characteristics and phenotypes which have been created.

From F. pratensis: improved root structure, improved animal palatability to late seed head formation ryegrass, persistent green gene effect, perenniality, extreme cold tolerance.

From L. perenne: higher degree of persistence, rapid seedling establishment, strong winter activity and early spring growth and overall seasonal yield to meet livestock needs, high seed production potential, good resistance to crown and stem rust and net blotch and fusarium.

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

The first Festulolium hybrids were listed in the USA and the UK already in the 1960s. The first hybrids used in agriculture were listed in the end of 1980’s and beginning of 1990’s in Germany, former Czechoslovakia and Poland.

Longevity

Persistence is dependent on variety. A Perennial Ryegrass x Meadow Fescue hybrid has potential to persist with proper hybrid selection. Most festuloliums are not to be considered a “permanent” forage grass species in Eastern Canada.  

Use

Pasture, hay, silage or stockpiled.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall, winter. Hay festulolium by early heading. Regrowth may be grazed or stockpiled. Festulolium can be continually or rotationally grazed. Enter at 25-30 cm (10-12 in) and Leave at least 7.5 -10 cm (3-4 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. Ideal haylage and silage stage is early boot stage.

Recovery After Use

Festulolium performs best under a rotational grazing system and should be grazed down to 7.5-10 cm (3 to 4 inches) when plants reach a height of 25-30 cm (10 to 12 in).

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Excellent palatability in vegetative stages.

Drought Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Flooding Tolerance

Withstands 2-5 weeks of spring flooding. It withstands wet soils season long.

Winter Hardiness

Fair to good tolerance depending on the hybrid.  Winter is highly dependent on variety, snow cover conditions, drought, and breaks in dormancy.

Soil Texture Preference

Prefers deep, moist, silty to clayey soils.

Erosion Control

Moderate erosion control.

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Alkalinity Tolerance

High tolerance.

Seeds per kg

499,400 seeds/kg (227,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Festulolium is compatible in mixes. Species include alfalfa, clovers, birdsfoot trefoil, meadow fescue, orchardgrass.

Ease of Establishment

Festulolium is easy to establish due to its rapid germination and seedling vigor.

Competitiveness

Once established, meadow fescue hybrid festuloliums can be competitive.

Management Considerations

Festulolium seeds should be planted at 25 to 35 lbs. per acre alone, or at 5 to 20 lbs. per acre if included in a combination with other species. Seeding depth is 1/4 inch. In general, 150 pounds of nitrogen per acre per year will be adequate to maintain a good stand of festulolium. The guideline is to apply 1/3 of the nitrogen in the spring with the balance evenly applied after each harvest or grazing period.

General Description

Festulolium is the name for a hybrid forage grass developed by crossing certain fescues and ryegrass. This enables combining the best properties of the two types of grass. The resulting hybrids have been classified as:

As with most hybrids, the plant breeders attempt to breed the best parts of both parent varieties into the hybrid to create something that improves on the parents’ traits with hybrid vigour. The fescues generally are high yielding and winter hardy, while the ryegrass varieties are palatable with high sugar and protein content. Particular attention should be given to variety selection to ensure that your desired outcomes are met. There is a wide range of varieties even within each hybrid segment depending on the characteristics and phenotypes which have been created.

From F. arundinacea: Very strong root system, high drought tolerance, high waterlogging tolerance and high tolerance to saline soil conditions.

From L. multiflorum: Fast seedling establishment, very high winter activity and early spring growth to meet animal life requirements, high seed production potential, good resistance to net blotch and fusarium.

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

The first Festulolium hybrids were listed in the USA and the UK already in the 1960s. The first hybrids used in agriculture were listed in the end of 1980’s and beginning of 1990’s in Germany, former Czechoslovakia and Poland.

Longevity

1-2 years. Persistence is dependent on variety. An Italian Ryegrass x Tall Fescue hybrid would not be expected to persist more than a few years. If longer persistence is desired, look at a Perennial Ryegrass festulolium hybrid. Most festuloliums are not to be considered a “permanent” forage grass species in Eastern Canada.  

Use

Pasture, hay, silage, stockpiled.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall, winter. Hay festulolium by early heading. Regrowth may be grazed or stockpiled. Festulolium can be continually or rotationally grazed. Enter at 25-30 cm (10-12 in) and exit/leave at least 7.5 -10 cm (3-4 inches) 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. For silage or green chop, festulolium needs to be cut before seed heads emerge for optimum forage quality.

Recovery After Use

Festulolium performs best under a rotational grazing system and should be grazed down to 7.5-10 cm (3 to 4 inches) when plants reach a height of 25-30 cm (10 to 12 inches).

Forage Yield

High.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Excellent palatability in vegetative stages. Hexaploid hybrids should exhibit higher sugar content.

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 poor tolerance. Winter survival depends on hybrid selection, conditions, drought and dormancy breaks.

Soil Texture Preference

Prefers deep, moist, silty to clayey soils.

Erosion Control

Moderate erosion control.

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Alkalinity Tolerance

High tolerance.

Seeds per kg

499,400 seeds/kg (227,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Grows well with tall growing legumes such as alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, red clover, and alsike clover for hay. Consider seeding with meadow brome and a legume for pasture or stockpiled grazing.

Ease of Establishment

Festulolium is easy to establish due to its rapid germination and seedling vigor.

Competitiveness

Once established, tall fescue hybrid festuloliums can be competitive.

Management Considerations

Festulolium seeds should be planted at 25 to 35 lbs. per acre alone, or at 5 to 20 lbs. per acre if included in a combination with other species. Seeding depth is 1/4 inch. In general, 150 pounds of nitrogen per acre per year will be adequate to maintain a good stand of festulolium. The guideline is to apply 1/3 of the nitrogen in the spring with the balance evenly applied after each harvest or grazing period.

General Description

Festulolium is the name for a hybrid forage grass developed by crossing certain fescues and ryegrass. This enables combining the best properties of the two types of grass. The resulting hybrids have been classified as:

As with most hybrids, the plant breeders attempt to breed the best parts of both parent varieties into the hybrid to create something that improves on the parents’ traits with hybrid vigour. The fescues generally are high yielding and winter hardy, while the ryegrass varieties are palatable with high sugar and protein content. Particular attention should be given to variety selection to ensure that your desired outcomes are met. There is a wide range of varieties even within each hybrid segment depending on the characteristics and phenotypes which have been created.

From F. pratensis: improved root structure, improved animal palatability to late seed head formation, persistent green gene effect, perenniality, extreme cold tolerance.

From L. multiflorum: Fast seedling establishment, very high early spring growth to meet animal life requirements, high seed production potential, good resistance to net blotch and fusarium.

Type

Tame grass.

Origin

The first festulolium hybrids were listed in the USA and the UK already in the 1960s. The first hybrids used in agriculture were listed in the end of 1980’s and beginning of 1990’s in Germany, former Czechoslovakia and Poland.

Longevity

1-2 years. Persistence is dependent on variety. An Italian Ryegrass x Meadow Fescue hybrid would not be expected to persist more than a few years. If longer persistence is desired, look at a Perennial Ryegrass festulolium hybrid. Most festuloliums are not to be considered a “permanent” forage grass species in Eastern Canada.

Use

Pasture, hay, silage, stockpiled.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall, winter. Hay festulolium by early heading. Regrowth may be grazed or stockpiled. Festulolium can be continually or rotationally grazed. Enter at 25-30 cm (10-12 inches) and exit/leave at least 7.5 -10 cm (3 -4 inches) 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. For silage or green chop, festulolium needs to be cut before seed heads emerge for optimum forage quality.

Recovery After Use

Festulolium performs best under a rotational grazing system and should be grazed down to ( 7.5-10 cm (3-4 inches) when plants reach a height of 25-30 cm (10 to 12 in).

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Excellent palatability in vegetative stages.

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 poor tolerance. Winter survival depends on hybrid selection, conditions, drought and dormancy breaks.

Soil Texture Preference

Prefers deep, moist, silty to clayey soils.

Erosion Control

Moderate erosion control.

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Alkalinity Tolerance

High tolerance.

Seeds per kg

499,400 seeds/kg (227,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Grows well with tall growing legumes such as alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, red clover, and alsike clover for hay. Consider seeding with meadow brome and a legume for pasture or stockpiled grazing.

Ease of Establishment

Festulolium is easy to establish due to its rapid germination and seedling vigor.

Competitiveness

Once established, hybrid festuloliums can be competitive.

Management Considerations

Festulolium seeds should be planted at 25 to 35 lbs. per acre alone, or at 5 to 20 lbs. per acre if included in a combination with other species. Seeding depth is 1/4 inch. In general, 150 pounds of nitrogen per acre per year will be adequate to maintain a good stand of festulolium. The guideline is to apply 1/3 of the nitrogen in the spring with the balance evenly applied after each harvest or grazing period.

General Description

Red clover is an introduced, commonly grown, shorter-lived perennial legume. Red clover needs adequate moisture in the growing season and moderate summer temperatures. It can thrive in cooler temperatures and more acidic soils than alfalfa. Single cut types, also called mammoth or late-flowering red clover, are generally hardier and most commonly grown. Double cut varieties produce multiple cuts as the name implies but lack persistence in adapted soil zones.

Each red clover crown produces many branched, hairy stems, which grow to 75 cm (30 in) in length. Leaves are made up of three hairy leaflets attached at one point and often have white “V-shaped” watermarks. Red clover produces globe-shaped, purple, cross-pollinated flowers. Once it flowers it stops growing (determinant growth) like alfalfa.

Type

Tame legume.

Origin

Europe and Turkey. Varieties such as Altaswede developed in Canada.

Longevity

Less than 5 years in the Black soil zone; however, at least 10 years is now common in rotationally grazed pastures in the Grey soil zone. Red clover crowns and roots that are close to the surface, easily damaged, and break down naturally which limits longevity.

Use

Pasture, hay, stockpiled, reclamation. Red clover can cause bloat, however, the risk of bloat is lower than for alfalfa. It is used for soil improvement in site rehabilitation in a variety of contexts.

Optimal Time of Use

Summer, fall. Delay grazing until a full canopy of leaves has developed. Delaying grazing until full bloom can prevented bloat and increased the stand persistence. Hay single cut red clover varieties at 25%+ bloom with regrowth used in fall.

Recovery After Use

Recovery after use may be varied depending on the site, moisture availability and management. Some sources indicate red clover recovers well after mid-season cutting and can be left for fall grazing. Still others advise against its use for grazing because of its inability to resist traffic from grazing animals. It is recommended to leave at least 10 cm (4 in) to allow for regrowth as recovery may depend on where the growing tip is in relation to cutting or defoliation from grazing.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Red clover is highly palatable and may be grazed preferentially. When red clover is cut or utilized at 25% bloom, crude protein can be 19% and dry matter 65% to 70%. Weight gains on red clover are similar to gains on alfalfa.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

400mm / 1600mm

Drought Tolerance

Low tolerance. Red clover is more drought tolerant than alsike clover but less than alfalfa.

Flooding Tolerance

Withstands 1 to 2 weeks of excess moisture, early in growing season; but intolerant of flooding during its actively growing period. Requires adequate moisture all season long.

Winter Hardiness

Good hardiness in single cut varieties. Fair tolerance in double cut varieties.

Soil Texture Preference

Most suited to heavier wet, fertile soils. Will grow on sandy textured soils as long as moisture is sufficient.

Erosion Control

Little ability to control erosion. Red clover has value for soil improvement in erosion control seeding and may be included in a mix.

Salinity Tolerance

Not tolerant.

Acidity Tolerance

High tolerance. Red clover can tolerate pH levels as low as 5.0 but yield is reduced significantly. Prefers pH of 6.0 to 7.0.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Seeds per kg

600,000 seeds/kg (272,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Often grown in a mix with meadow bromegrass, timothy, smooth bromegrass, tall fescue or hybird bromegrass. Including grass in hay mixes assists with dry-down of windrows. In the Peace River Region red clover is often grown in the place of alfalfa in mixes because of its better acidity tolerance.

Ease of Establishment

Red clover is very easy to establish with moist conditions and moderate temperatures. Seedlings tend to be vigorous and shade tolerant. Use red clover the year after establishment. Red clover is successfully sod seeded.

Competitiveness

Red clover is competitive and can grow dominantly in a pasture situation for the first few years but can then decrease depending on grazing strategy. Persistence is dependent on how well the plant’s crown is maintained. Red clover is not invasive.

Management Considerations

Red clover is high in moisture and hay stands benefit from having a grass species in the mix to assist with drying-down. Short duration rotational gazing is beneficial for red clover longevity as grazing of newly emerging regrowth could be avoided. New growth is required to sustain the plant. Seed should be inoculated with Rhizobium trifolii for better nodulation and nitrogen fixing.

General Description

Red clover is an introduced, commonly grown, shorter-lived perennial legume. Red clover needs adequate moisture in the growing season and moderate summer temperatures. It can thrive in cooler temperatures and more acidic soils than alfalfa. Single cut types, also called mammoth or late-flowering red clover, are generally hardier and most commonly grown.  Double cut varieties produce multiple cuts as the name implies but lack persistence in adapted soil zones.

Each red clover crown produces many branched, hairy stems, which grow to 75 cm (30 in) in length. Leaves are made up of three hairy leaflets attached at one point and often have white “V-shaped” watermarks. Red clover produces globe-shaped, purple, cross-pollinated flowers. Once it flowers it stops growing (determinant growth) like alfalfa.

Type

Tame legume.

Origin

Europe and Turkey. Varieties such as Altaswede developed in Canada.

Longevity

Less than 5 years in the Black soil zone; however, at least 10 years is now common in rotationally grazed pastures in the Grey soil zone. Red clover crowns and roots that are close to the surface, easily damaged, and break down naturally which limits longevity.

Use

Pasture, hay, stockpiled, reclamation. Red clover can cause bloat, however, the risk of bloat is lower than for alfalfa. It is used for soil improvement in site rehabilitation in a variety of contexts.

Optimal Time of Use

Summer, fall. Delay grazing until a full canopy of leaves has developed. Delaying grazing until full bloom can prevented bloat and increased the stand persistence. Hay single cut red clover varieties at 25%+ bloom with regrowth used in fall.

Recovery After Use

Recovery after use may be varied depending on the site, moisture availability and management. Some sources indicate red clover recovers well after mid-season cutting and can be left for fall grazing. Other sources say using red clover twice a season can reduce longevity. Still others advise against its use for grazing because of its inability to resist traffic from grazing animals. It is recommended to leave at least 10 cm (4 in) to allow for regrowth as recovery may depend on where the growing tip is in relation to cutting or defoliation from grazing.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Red clover is highly palatable and may be grazed preferentially. When red clover is cut or utilized at 25% bloom, crude protein can be 19% and dry matter 65% to 70%. Weight gains on red clover are similar to gains on alfalfa.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

400mm / 1600mm.

Drought Tolerance

Low tolerance. Red clover is more drought tolerant than alsike clover but less than alfalfa.

Flooding Tolerance

Withstands 1 to 2 weeks of excess moisture, early in growing season; but intolerant of flooding during its actively growing period. Requires adequate moisture all season long.

Winter Hardiness

Good hardiness in single cut varieties. Fair tolerance in double cut varieties.

Soil Texture Preference

Most suited to heavier wet, fertile soils. Will grow on sandy textured soils as long as moisture is sufficient.

Erosion Control

Little ability to control erosion. Red clover has value for soil improvement in erosion control seeding and may be included in a mix.

Salinity Tolerance

Not tolerant.

Acidity Tolerance

High tolerance. Red clover can tolerate pH levels as low as 5.0 but yield is reduced significantly. Prefers pH of 6.0 to 7.0.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Seeds per kg

600,000 seeds/kg (272,000 seeds/lb).

Suggested Mixtures

Often grown in a mix with meadow bromegrass, timothy, smooth bromegrass, tall fescue or hybird bromegrass. Including grass in hay mixes assists with dry-down of windrows. In the Peace River Region red clover is often grown in the place of alfalfa in mixes because of its better acidity tolerance.

Ease of Establishment

Red clover is very easy to establish with moist conditions and moderate temperatures. Seedlings tend to be vigorous and shade tolerant. Use red clover the year after establishment. Red clover is successfully sod seeded.

Competitiveness

Red clover is competitive and can grow dominantly in a pasture situation for the first few years but can then decrease depending on grazing strategy. Persistence is dependent on how well the plant’s crown is maintained. Red clover is not invasive.

Management Considerations

Red clover is high in moisture and hay stands benefit from having a grass species in the mix to assist with drying-down. Short duration rotational gazing is beneficial for red clover longevity as grazing of newly emerging regrowth could be avoided. New growth is required to sustain the plant. Seed should be inoculated with Rhizobium trifolii for better nodulation and nitrogen fixing.

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 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

Switchgrass is a native warm season perennial grass. Forage production is notably high for this species due to its height and leaf production. The upland type with more bunch-like characteristics and shorter rhizomes is more common in Canada than the lowland types which are highly rhizomatous. Switchgrass grows from 60 to 150 cm (2 to 5 ft) tall. It has stiff stems that support numerous leaves and abundant seeds. A white patch of hair can be found where the leaf attaches to the stem.  Leaves are 10 to 50 cm (4 to 20 in) long and to 1 cm (0.4 in) wide. The leaves are generally long and flat, green, becoming golden into the fall. Switch grass seed heads are large spreading, branched panicles atop stems. An abundance of clean, small to medium-sized seeds are produced yearly. Short rhizomes help spread the plant vegetatively. 

Type

Native grass.

Origin

Native to eastern Mixed Grass Prairie and Tall Grass Prairie of Saskatchewan and Manitoba. Cultivars have been developed.

Longevity

At least 10 years (seeded). Can be long-lived in native stands.

Use

Reclamation, pasture. Historically, switchgrass was used for hay, but poor palatability at maturity makes it less suitable. Switchgrass has been tried in some areas of Canada and the United States as a biofuel.

Optimal Time of Use

Summer. Switchgrass is a warm season grass and does not begin growing until early summer. It becomes coarse quickly as it matures. Switch grass has the ability to produce a large quantity of forage.  

Recovery After Use

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Switchgrass becomes unpalatable after maturity. As seed heads emerge, palatability decreases. While crude protein is good early in the summer (up to 15%) it can drop to less than 4% by later summer/early fall. When old, stiff stems accumulate they will have lower quality and will actually deter livestock use. Switchgrass tends to have low crude protein and digestibility, and animal rates of gain and intake are modest.

Drought Tolerance

Low tolerance.

Flooding Tolerance

Switchgrass can withstand up to 5 weeks of flooding in spring.

Winter Hardiness

Fair hardiness. Native upland types are most hardy compared to lowland types for the Canadian climate.

Soil Texture Preference

Switch grass is adapted to loam soils (sandy-loam through clay-loam). In Canadian climate, moist, but well drained soils are preferred. Switchgrass is frequently found in moist areas in native stands. 

Erosion Control

Moderate ability to control erosion. Produces short rhizomes and good above ground cover. Switchgrass was used widely for erosion control and wildlife habitat across the United States and Canada in the 1990’s. 

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Low tolerance.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Seeds per kg

858,000 seeds/kg (389,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Plant with adapted warm and cool season native species for reclamation and grazing. Successful if seeded by itself.

Ease of Establishment

Competitiveness

Switchgrass is not a strong competitor in the first few years but becomes more competitive as the stand ages. Cool season grasses are at peak production when switchgrass begins to grow.

Management Considerations

Switchgrass is particularly sensitive to improper management. Rotational grazing systems that allow for plenty of rest between grazing periods have demonstrated that native switchgrass (among other native warm season species) can become more abundant in a stand that had seemingly lost the species. Early-summer grazing or mowing of cool-season species in the mixture is likely to give this warm-season grass the opportunity to co-exist with aggressive cool-season grasses. Switchgrass initiates growth later in the season than cool season grasses so allow for adequate plant growth before grazing (at least 12 inches tall), but before seed heads develop in August. Switchgrass responds positively to fertilization.