| Performance of Cool Season Forage Grasses in Noble Foundation Tests, 1996-97 |
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Ryegrasses and Matua rescuegrass were again evaluated for forage production during the 1996-97 season at the Pasture Demonstration Farm. The test was planted on September 13 and clipped seven times during the season. In general forage production was excellent and well distributed throughout the growing season. Harvest began on November 22 and ended on June 13. Total forage yields ranged from 5165 to 8014 dry pounds/acre. An average of 26% of the forage in the test was produced by the November 22 clipping date. A handful of entries suffered moderate to heavy cold damage and stand loss during the winter months. However, most recovered nicely and produced a good quantity of forage in the late spring months.
The top ten forage producers in the test, along with dry pounds/acre are:
| (1) | Matua rescuegrass | 8014 |
| (2) | Jackson | 7623 |
| (3) | Passerel | 7453 |
| (4) | BARUSA LM95 | 7249 |
| (5) | WVPB-AR-90-300 | 7093 |
| (6) | Common Annual | 6881 |
| (7) | WVPB-AR-A9 | 6753 |
| (8) | Surrey | 6742 |
| (9) | Marshall | 6710 |
| (10) | WVPB-AR-93-101 | 6693 |
A cool-season perennial grass evaluation trial was planted on October 4, 1996 on the Headquarters Farm. This study is in collaboration with Dr. Larry Redmon of Oklahoma State University to evaluate several species for dry matter forage production and nutritive value, and to determine the potential for persistence under south central Oklahoma conditions. The fall precipitation was excellent for good germination and establishment, followed by dry, cold conditions during late December and January. Normal rainfall and cool conditions allowed for good plant growth in the spring.
Forage clippings were obtained on April 17, May 8, May 28, and June 17. Cumulative forage yields thus far this year, range from 1349 to 6575 dry pounds/acre.
The cumulative dry forage yields for each entry are as follows:
| (1) | Matua rescuegrass | 6575 |
| (2) | Nui perennial ryegrass | 6015 |
| (3) | Dovey tall fescue (E-) | 4876 |
| (4) | Paiute orchardgrass | 4220 |
| (5) | Kentucky 31 tall fescue (E+) | 3941 |
| (6) | Penngrazer tall fescue (E-) | 3841 |
| (7) | Gala bromegrass | 3781 |
| (8) | DLF 9E bromegrass | 3000 |
| (9) | Manska pubescent wheatgrass | 2524 |
| (10) | Regar meadow bromegrass | 2393 |
| (11) | Jose tall wheatgrass | 2309 |
| (12) | Luna pubescent wheatgrass | 2284 |
| (13) | Oahe intermediate wheatgrass | 2177 |
| (14) | Mandan pubescent wheatgrass | 2071 |
| (15) | Lincoln smooth bromegrass | 2061 |
| (16) | York smooth bromegrass | – |
| (17) | Bozoisky Select Russian Wildrye | 1349 |
I would caution you that this is preliminary data from the first year and doesn't mean much at this point in time. We will need several more years of data before we can draw definite conclusions regarding the adaptability and productive capacity of these grasses.