New pasture seeding, variety suggestions?

nate53 said:

Is there anyone that uses Reed Canary Grass for pasture and hay, we have some water ways with it. 

Yes, all the time- mixed with Alfalfa hay-- it makes some of the best hay a guy can ask for.  Cut it on the growth stage as Alfalfa-- and you keep it young and tender, but it adds tons of tonage.


I was always told that the seed is expensive and poor germination but it seems like it gets beat down to nothing and still comes back, very high yielding (over my head in places), takes really wet periods and dry periods very well, it is a warm season grass, there must be some drawback to it otherwise I would think it would be more popular?

yes, correct on all accounts.  The downfall- it is an invasive-- and you might struggle to find it.  The 'non' invasive variety- is about the same quality and persistence as the endophyte free fescue- worthless.  I wouldn't call it a warm season grass-- just a crazy grower.  it grows super in the summer-- in wet spots-- so it's always got moisture.  The other only downfall- is you have to keep in young and growing-- cuz otherwise you're wanting cows to eat canes the size of old school fishing cane poles. 

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feed grass said:

nate53 said:

Is there anyone that uses Reed Canary Grass for pasture and hay, we have some water ways with it. 

Yes, all the time- mixed with Alfalfa hay-- it makes some of the best hay a guy can ask for.  Cut it on the growth stage as Alfalfa-- and you keep it young and tender, but it adds tons of tonage.


I was always told that the seed is expensive and poor germination but it seems like it gets beat down to nothing and still comes back, very high yielding (over my head in places), takes really wet periods and dry periods very well, it is a warm season grass, there must be some drawback to it otherwise I would think it would be more popular?

yes, correct on all accounts.  The downfall- it is an invasive-- and you might struggle to find it.  The 'non' invasive variety- is about the same quality and persistence as the endophyte free fescue- worthless.  I wouldn't call it a warm season grass-- just a crazy grower.  it grows super in the summer-- in wet spots-- so it's always got moisture.  The other only downfall- is you have to keep in young and growing-- cuz otherwise you're wanting cows to eat canes the size of old school fishing cane poles. 

Click to expand...

Click to expand...