Reed canary grass can be used in high yielding hay and pasture lands. Reed canarygrass isn't as bad a pasture grass as many people think, says Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska agronomy professor. With a little knowledge and some dedicated management, graziers can get some good use of it, he adds. Options for multiple cuttings and resistant to leaf disease. Reed canarygrass is a tall-growing, perennial grass which is widely distributed across Minnesota and other northern states. The grass blades are flat and rough on top and bottom. D. BARNES, H. FENNER, ANI) B. GERSTEN Department of Animal and Dairy Science )/Iassacht~setts Agricultural Experiment Station, Amherst SUM~[ARY A feeding trial with four mature, rumen-fistulated cows was conducted using alfalfa and reed canary hay as the sole ration. Chiefton grows well in the mid-Atlantic region, is tolerant of flooding and drought, and has good nutrient digestibility compared to some other perennial cool-season grasses. This large, coarse grass has erect, hairless stems, usually from 2 to 6 feet (0.61 to 1.83 m) tall. To have really good feed value it should be cut before the heads emerge. Particularly well adapted to wet soils, it is also productive on upland sites. Hay falls into several categories: grass, legume, mixed (grass and legume) and cereal grain straw (such as oat hay). Reed canarygrass produces high yields and grows very well in wetlands, and in well-drained soils, but it has two negatives. The ligule is prominent and membranous, 1 ⁄ 4 inch (0.64 cm) long and rounded at the apex. Reed canary grass is one of the first grasses to sprout in the spring. In some parts of the country fescue, reed canary grass, ryegrass and Sudan grass are common. This study examined the use of hay made from Chiefton, a low-alkaloid variety of reed canarygrass, as an alternative to timothy hay for the equine market. Canary grass is a plant, Phalaris canariensis, belonging to the family Poaceae.Originally a native of the Mediterranean region, it is now grown commercially in several parts of the world for birdseed. Our dairy and horse hay has a Relative Feed Value (RFV) of 115-120. Palaton Reed Canarygrass withstands excessive wetness and excessive drought conditions. Hay quality will decline rapidly after heading, and cutting should not be delayed. Leaves and Stem. Reed canary grass (RCG) is a perennial C3 grass that is: indigenous to northern Europe; adapted to short vegetation periods and low temperatures; can be established by seed; and is safe from overwintering. Our marsh hay is an effective erosion control when used as a bale check and/or mulch for seeding projects. In hay production the highest yield is obtained at heading; however the highest quality is obtained prior to this. They gradually tapering from the base to the tip, and are up … Reed Canary grass in the northeast MUST be cut for hay before June 1. It can reach a canopy height of 1.5 to 3 metres and, like Miscanthus, has a vigorous rhizome system. April 29 1 load 1st cut alfalfa - $102.50/ton 1 load mix alfalfa - $87.50/ton 1 load mix grass - $87.50/ton 2 loads 3rd cut alfalfa - $80.00-$82.50/ton 1 load alfalfa/grass mix - $80.00/ton 1 load corn silage - … With an excellent yield record, this tough grass can take all kinds of weather conditions and still be accepted by livestock. Reed canary grass is a coarse, cool season grass that grows 2 - 6 feet tall. Reed canary grass can improve the productivity of … DIGESTIBILITY OF ALFALFA HAY AND REED CANARY GRASS HAY MEASURED BY TWO PROCEDURES 1 J. G. ARCHIBALD, ~ 1~. 1 load grass hay - $72.50/ton 1 load canary grass - $80.00/ton. Reed canary grass spreads by underground stems (rhizomes) and forms a solid sod. 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