Nutrien Ag Solutions Forage Guide 2020 | Page 10

GRASSES Bromegrass B R O M E G R A S S AG R O NO M I C CO M PAR I S O N CHAR T TYPE GROWTH HABIT REGROWTH BEST FIT GRAZING CALENDAR WINTER SURVIVAL DROUGHT TOLERANCE AC Knowles Meadow X Smooth Hybrid Mild Sod Former and Bunch Very Good Hay and Pasture Season Long, Stockpile Very Good Very Good AC Rocket Smooth Southern Sod Former Very Good Hay and Pasture Late Spring to Early Summer Excellent Excellent hps ® Meadow Bromegrass Meadow Bunch Excellent Pasture and Stockpile Season Long, Stockpile Good Good VARIETY S T E E R P E R F OR M A NCE G R A Z I NG - PA S T U R E T Y P E S AC KNOWLES SMOOTH BROMEGRASS MEADOW BROMEGRASS CRESTED WHEATGRASS 365 208 282 223 161 127 136 64 2.37 1.7 2.08 3.48 Total Beef Production (LBS./AC) Animal Grazing Days (DAYS/AC) Avg. Daily Gain (LBS./DAY) Source: Western Beef Development Centre Termuende Research Farm, 2000 and 2001. Crested Wheatgrass pastures were grazed in May when pastures received 1.2 inches rainfall. Bromegrass pastures were grazed in June when pastures received 0.4 inches of rainfall. Smooth Bromegrass had the highest total herbage yield, Crested Wheatgrass the lowest. Only one grazing period in 2000 for all species. Two grazing periods for bromegrass species in 2001. 8 Ryegrass Tall Fescue BarExtra Italian Ryegrass Barolex Tall Fescue High-yielding, tetraploid variety High quality grass • Longer, wider leaves than older types • Quick establishing • Improved forage quality • Soft-leaf variety • Very rapid establishment with rapid regrowth after cutting/grazing • Leaf quality is similar to Perennial Ryegrass • Excellent variety for pastures • Manage as a winter annual – poor winter survival in the Prairie provinces