“Orchardgrass can produce high quality pasture, hay, or silage when managed properly, and can provide excellent quality feed to forage-consuming animals,” the authors explain. “The forage quality of pasture or stored feed is influenced by many factors including fertility, pests, growing conditions (temperature-moisture) and management.”

Topics covered in the brochure include origin, characteristics, varieties, establishment, management and harvest, quality and animal performance. One section emphasizes the importance of height, which the authors say has been the most important factor influencing stand persistence and speed of regrowth following cutting or grazing.

Copies for educational meetings are available through the commission.  FG

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—Summarized by FG staff from Forage News and Oregon Orchardgrass