Big Bluestem

General Description

Native grass.Big bluestem, which is sometimes referred to as turkey foot because of the seed head with 3 spikelets , is weakly rhizomatous. It is a native warm season grass. Highly productive, big bluesteam averages 1.2 m (4 ft) tall in Manitoba. Long light green to blue-green leaves are plentiful at ground level and carry up the stem. As a weakly rhizomatous grass, it forms a sod with tufted big bluestem plants growing across the sod. Active management to maintain a big bluestem stands is important as it is a desirable and palatable grass.

Type

Native grass.

Origin

Native to the Tall Grass Prairie (Manitoba).

Longevity

Long-lived.

Use

Reclamation, hay, pasture.

Optimal Time of Use

Summer, fall. Big bluestem begins growing later in the spring. Graze later in the summer (or dormant) to maintain stand longevity and production. At least 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) of standing stubble should remain after grazing.

Recovery After Use

Generally a long recovery period is used. Big bluestem requires warm temperatures for rapid regrowth. Big bluestem regrowth is also dependent on moisture, the previous year’s production level, intensity of defoliation and root energy reserves.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Big bluestem is highly palatable. It is preferred in native stands to other grasses. Big bluestem crude protein range from 7-12% during summer and is highligh nutritious when vegative. forage quality and palatability drops in the fall.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

305mm / 1400mm

Drought Tolerance

Moderate drought tolerance.

Flooding Tolerance

Tolerates saturated soils for approximately one to two weeks in the spring. Thrives with even growing season moisture.

Winter Hardiness

Good winter hardiness. Intense defoliation or clipping below 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) compromises big bluestem’s winter hardiness.

Soil Texture Preference

Big bluestem grows under a wide range of conditions. It is highly suited to moist, well drained, fertile loam soils. Warm growing conditions are critical for big bluestem growth. 

Erosion Control

Moderate ability to contribute to erosion control mainly due to ability to hold soil and protect from wind erosion.

Salinity Tolerance

Slight saline tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Big bluestem tolerates soil pH as low as 6.0.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Low to moderate tolerance.

Seeds per kg

317,000 seeds/ kg (144,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

As a pure stand or with other native warm or select less competitive cool season native species. Native species mix suggestions include western wheatgrass, slender wheatgrass, green needlegrass, northern wheatgrass, Canada wildrye, purple prairie clover, streambank wheatgrass, awned wheatgrass, blue grama, and Canada milkvetch. Tame species mix suggestions include Russian wildrye, tall wheatgrass, intermediate wheatgrass, other tame buchgrasses and alfalfa or sainfoin.

Ease of Establishment

Big bluestem has fair seedling vigor. Weed control and early spring seeding is important for decent establishment. Refraining from harvesting during the year of establishment and even the second year will benefit the stands vigour in the long run. Not suitable for fall dormant seeding.

Competitiveness

Big bluestem is a poor competitor during establishment or when grazed due to its high palatability and slow regrowth. Big bluestem competes poorly with tame grasses. It is a decreaser species in native grasslands.

Management Considerations

A spring dormant season burning stimulates new growth of big bluestem in its primary area of adaptation and decreases competition of cool season plants already growing. Manage cool season grasses to decrease competition for big bluestem when appropriate.