Grasslands Managers Introduced to Additional Forage Species
Russ Bredahl, beef forage field specialist
Situation
Southern Iowa farmers have little experience and knowledge about pasture forages
other than Kentucky bluegrass, smooth bromegrass, orchardgrass, tall fescue,
red clover, and birdsfoot trefoil. However, they have shown interest in alternative
forages that thrive in Iowa conditions and show promise of increasing profits
from grasslands.
Response
Demonstration plots of 16 different forages were planted at the Neely-Kinyon
Farm near Greenfield, Iowa, in May 2003. The plots, which will be maintained
over several years, were showcased at the Neely-Kinyon Farm field day held August
19, 2003. The plots are intended to demonstrate differences in:
- Adaptability to Iowa growing conditions
- Ease, speed and cost of establishment
- Persistence of the stand
- Winter hardiness
- Disease resistance
- Reseeding ability
Impact
Two hundred fifty people, who participated in the Neely-Kinyon Farm field day
wagon tour, saw growing plants and heard information concerning the growth habit,
growing site preference, and suggested time of seeding and seeding rate of each
of the following forages.
- Smooth bromegrass
- Indiangrass
- 3-year Red clover
- Perennial ryegrass 2
- Orchardgrass
- Eastern gammagrass
- Festulolium 1
- Annual ryegrass 1
- Tall fescue
- Buffalograss
- Festulolium 2
- Annual ryegrass 2
- Big bluestem
- Red River crabgrass
- Perennial ryegrass 1
- Bermudagrass
There were many questions, particularly concerning the novel endophyte tall
fescue (Ark Plus), the reseeding ability of Red River crabgrass and the winter
hardiness of the perennial ryegrasses (BG-34 and Tetra Plus) and bermudagrass
(Buckaroo Blend).
Page last updated:
July 9, 2006
Page maintained by Linda Schultz, lschultz@iastate.edu
