Albert Lea Seed House 2017 Farm Seed Catalog | Page 28

28 COOL SEASON GRASSES

Italian Ryegrass

Referred to as the Italian stallion of cool season grasses by our friends at the University of Minnesota due to its quick re-growth , very early development in spring , and a prolonged growing period in the fall . It will not head out in the seeding year unless you get a hard freeze after seed has germinated . This results in high quality forage production without the low quality stems and seed heads . Considered an annual in the upper Midwest . Recently , it has also been recognized as the perfect rotation crop for plow down or emergency feed .
Best Use : Best suited as a pasture crop seeded at full rate . When seeded at a lower rate it can be used in hay mixtures and as a nurse crop for alfalfa seedings . Begin grazing at 4-6 ” and stop when the grass is down to 2-3 ”. Adaptations : Produces best on heavier , moisture-holding soils . Keep off of droughty ground . Planting Date : March-May , August 1st-15th ( for late fall grazing ). Seeding : 30-35 lbs / acre alone or 4-5 lbs / acre as a cover crop . Suggestions : Use instead of small grain as your cover crop over new alfalfa seedings . Can give you up to ½ ton of additional hay in the seeding year over that of a small grain . Seeding heavier than the recommended amount may smother alfalfa seeding . Seed early spring onto pasture that has been closely grazed the previous fall to improve yield and quality .
Tetila
• Leafy , highly palatable Conventional __$ 0.90 / lb $ 45 / 50 # bag
Green Spirit
• High quality , high yielding
• Blend of diploid and tetraploid Italian ryegrasses
Conventional __$ 1.60 / lb $ 80 / 50 # bag

Annual Ryegrass

Establishes very rapidly , giving you higher productivity in the planting season . Annual ryegrass is capable of producing forage yields in a very short period of time . Has good cold tolerance .
Best Use : Single year forage production , or as green manure plow down seeded in the fall . Planting Date : March-May , August-September Adaptations : Well adapted to heavier soil types . Requirements : Will head out in early to mid-summer . Will usually winterkill northern zones . Seeding : 30 lbs / acre alone or 10-15 lbs / acre to beef up pastures .
Annual Ryegrass *
Conventional ___ $ 0.72 / lb $ 36 / 50 # bag Organic _______ $ 1.50 / lb $ 75 / 50 # bag

Kentucky Bluegrass

A short-to-medium height , long-lived , highly palatable , perennial grass . It spreads via rhizomes to form a dense sod . Pastures composed of Kentucky bluegrass mixed with legumes also have higher nutritional values than pure grass pastures .
Best Use : Ideal for permanent pastures that are continuously grazed . It tolerates close and frequent grazing better than other cool-season forage grasses . Adaptations : Grows best during cool , moist weather on well-drained , fertile soils . Requirements : It is slightly slower to establish than many other cool-season grasses . However , once established , it spreads quickly via its extensive rhizome production . Planting Date : March-May , August 15th-30th . Seeding : 30 lbs / acre alone for pasture or 4-10 lbs / acre in a mix . 100-150 lbs alone for lawns .
Concerto Kentucky Bluegrass
• Improved disease and drought resistance
• Good seedling vigor , quick establishment
• Excellent for upper Midwestern lawns Conventional __ $ 3.00 / lb $ 150 / 50 # bag
Ginger Grazing
• High yielding forage variety Conventional _________ ___ $ 2.80 / lb $ 140 / 50 # bag

Reed Canarygrass

A tall-growing , high yielding , sod forming perennial grass . Excellent winter hardiness , persistence and disease resistance . Excellent quality if cut / grazed early .
Best Use : It can be harvested as a pasture , silage , or hay , in pure stands or mixed with legumes . Begin grazing at 10-12 ” and remove animals when 4-5 ”. Will not tolerate close grazing . For hay , cut at least three times per year . Adaptations : Well adapted to wet soils , tolerant to both poor drainage and drought conditions . Mature stands can persist in standing water . Tolerant of acidic soils . Requirements : Slow to establish . Poor competitor as a seedling . Little forage will be produced in the first year . Rest periods are required for grazing . Delayed harvest can result in poor quality . Planting Date : March-May , August 1st-25th . Seeding : 8-10 lbs / acre alone or 2-4 lbs / acre in a mix .
Low Alkaloid Reed Canarygrass *
• Low alkaloid variety suitable for grazing or haying Conventional __ $ 3.96 / lb $ 198 / 50 # bag

Forage Chicory

Not a grass , but a perennial herb that produces leafy growth high in nutritive and mineral content ( if properly managed ). Deep taproot provides tolerance to drought conditions . Chicory provides both spring and summer forage . Very persistent .
Best Use : An excellent companion for grass pastures . Adaptations : Well adapted from heavier-to-lighter soils due to its deep taproot . Requirements : Manage so the chicory doesn ’ t get too mature . Planting Date : March-May Seeding : 4-6 lbs / acre alone or 2-3 lbs / acre in a mix . May be drilled or broadcast .
TFL-200 Forage Chicory
• Excellent forage quality
• Rapid recovery after grazing Conventional __ $ 4.90 / lb $ 245 / 50 # bag