Description

Coarse, sod-forming, perennial grass with short rhizomes and short, broad leaves. Grows 2 to 5 feet tall in seed head stage. Thrives in wet soils and tolerates drought. Older varieties have alklaloids that limit palatability and animal performance. Low-alkaloidvarieties are available.

Uses

Pasture and hay.

Advantages

Well adapted to wet, saturated, flooded sites. High yielding and highly responsive to nitrogen applications.

Disadvantages

Slow to establish. Shorter stand life than tall fescue. Does not tolerate close, continuous grazing.

Seeding

Rate: 8-12 lb/a
Depth: ¼-½ in
Primary Date: Aug 15-Oct 1
Secondary Date: Feb 1-Apr 15

Harvest

First harvest: May 10-June 10
Annual yield: 1-5 tons dry matter/a

Publications

• Forage Identification and Use Guide
• Grain & Forage Crop Guide for Kentucky
• Native Warm Season Perennial Grasses for Forages in Kentucky
• Establishing Native Warm-Season Grasses for Livestock Forage in the Mid-South 
• Grazing Native Warm-Season Grasses in the Mid-South
• Native Warm-Season Grasses for Mid-South Forage Production
• Producing Hay from Native Warm-Season Grasses in the Mid-South