Perennial Grass Variety Trials

PERENNIAL GRASS VARIETY TRIALS
Western Maryland
Research and Education Center
University of Maryland

Cool season perennial grasses have provided the foundation of forage production systems in Maryland and other states in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeast since these grasses were first brought from Europe. However, over the past 50 years variety development in cool season grass species focused largely on hay production. It is only in the past few years that the introduction of grass varieties and genetics from areas of the world with a history of grazing that producers in this area have had the opportunity to select cool season grasses developed for quality and palatability not just tonnage. The increased interest in grazing and introduction of improved varieties coincided to provide the opportunity to establish the first seeding of perennial cool season grass variety trials at the University of Maryland.

On September 14, 1999, 38 grass varieties (30 entries from six companies and eight check varieties) were seeded in 5' x 10' plots with four replications of each variety. The grass was seeded conventionally in 6-inch rows.

The trial was to be harvested for three years. Cuttings were to be made at a frequency to simulate management intensive grazing at an accumulated DM in excess of 2000 lb/acre. All varieties were cut at the same time at a 3-inch height. In 2000, regular rainfall allowed 10 cuttings. Dry years reduced cuttings to six in 2001 and six in 2002. Cuttings were made with a 36-inch flail cutter mounted on a JD 935. Yields were determined by weighing the entire 3' x 10' sample and taking a sub-sample to determine dry matter content.

Refer to the three-year yield summary (Yield Data.PDF) for year-by-year and three-year total yields. Data is also available on each variety's stand persistence over the three-year period.

Looking at the yield data, it is not surprising that fescues top the chart with orchardgrasses next and ryegrass last. This expresses a general conundrum of cool season grass in that yield and forage quality are often inversely related. We know that ryegrasses provide high quality forage. But we also know that fescues and orchardgrasses are well adapted to the weather extremes this region is subject to.

In 2000, a cooler than normal summer and excellent summer rainfall allowed the ryegrasses to generally do well. Note that the Poly II ryegrass yielded extremely well in 2000, persisted into 2001 and was gone 2002. A severe period of freeze desiccation in the winter of 2000-2001 damaged many of the ryegrass varieties. Dry conditions in 2001 and 2002 caused further decline in ryegrass stands. Please note stand score data. However, several ryegrasses did persist for the three-year period. Grass seed companies will continue to test ryegrasses for the hardiness needed to withstand the weather stresses of this region.

Looking at the orchardgrasses, we see quite a range of yields. The more recumbent grazing varieties did not yield as well as hay types with a more upright growth. Again, we see yield potential being given up for a softer leaved grass with supposedly higher palatability. Note that one of the experimental orchardgrasses has since been released as Barexcel.

The fescue varieties top the trial in terms of DM yields. Martin #2 is a hay-type tall fescue. Barcarella is a fine-leaved tall fescue supposedly better suited to grazing. Barolex is a new release, and it is selected for grazing also.

The three blend entries were primarily ryegrass at the start then became a predominantly fescue or orchardgrass. The Grasslands Maru is a prairie-type grass that persisted surprisingly well. The festulolium persisted but did not produce well. The reed canary grass, timothy, and smooth bromegrasses are not adapted to an intensive grazing regimen but persisted well under stress. And bluegrass is there to remind us that it still has a place in pasture systems. It must be remembered that any of these grasses can be grazed or hayed. And the quality of hay is more dependent upon the timing of harvest than the variety of grasses.

All of the samples collected over this three-year study are now in the process of being prepared to be analyzed for forage quality. This data should be compiled later this year and will provide more comparisons between varieties.

For further information, contact:

Stanley W. Fultz
Extension Agent, Dairy Science
Maryland Cooperative Extension
Frederick County Office
330 Montevue Lane
Frederick, MD 21702
301-600-3578
sfultz@umd.edu

Jeff Semler
Extension Agent, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Maryland Cooperative Extension
Washington County Office
7303 Sharpsburg Pike
Boonsboro, MD 21713
301-791-1304
jsemler@umd.edu

Click here for this document in PDF format (printer friendly).

For more information, contact Jeff Semler

Last updated: 03/13/2009