Orchardgrass

Orchardgrass is a cool season grass native to Europe that has been grown in North America for over 200 years. Orchardgrass is more drought tolerant than Kentucky bluegrass or timothy, but less drought tolerant than smooth bromegrass or endophyte infected fescue. Optimal growing temperatures for orchardgrass are 70 degrees F for high and 54 degrees F for a low. As temperatures climb above 82 degrees F plant growth slows. Orchardgrass is less winter hardy than smooth brome or timothy. Orchardgrass does not tolerate flooding or wet soils, but will persist under moderately poorly drained soils. It is probably the cool season grass that is most tolerant of shade. Orchardgrass can be used for grazing, haying, greenchop or ensiling.

Orchardgrass is generally the earliest maturing cool season grass. It is usually one week earlier in maturity than tall fescue and two weeks earlier than smooth bromegrass. When selecting a variety consider finding a cultivar that is later in maturity and has resistance to rust. Hallmark has been grown for many years and is a top yielder. Justus is a newer variety and has shown better animal performance than other varieties.

Orchardgrass can be managed for either grazing or a mechanical harvest like hay or silage. Orchardgrass stores carbohydrates in lower stems and as a result relies heavily on lower stems for regrowth. Mechanical harvesting is generally easier on the plant because it is allowed to recover and regrow. Try to keep cutting height at four inches or higher. The optimal time for harvest is when the plant reaches the early heading 

stage. This usually occurs in late April or early May. When grazing orchardgrass try to use rotational grazing so that the plant will have a chance to recover. If it is continuously grazed and plants are not allowed to regrow, orchardgrass plants will be replaced by more prostrate plants like bluegrass.

Orchardgrass should be fertilized much like other cool season grasses. Sixty to 80 pounds of nitrogen per acre in late winter and then 40 pounds per acre in mid August will provide needed nitrogen when the plant is most likely to be growing. Phosphorus and potassium should be applied according to soil test report.

The windows for establishing orchardgrass include late March through mid April and mid August through mid September. Use 10-15 lbs. of seed per acre seeded by itself with a drill. Increase that by 50% if broadcasting. If seeded with a legume you can use 5-6 lbs. per acre orchardgrass.

 

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		Matt Herring - Agronomy/Natural Resources Ken Bolte - Farm Management/Livestock Franklin County University Extension Center Last revised: 11/28/05		Go to Franklin County University Extension Center page