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ARS Home » Pacific West Area » Logan, Utah » Forage and Range Research » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #376318
Research Project: Improved Plant Genetic Resources and Methodologies for Rangelands, Pastures, and Turf Landscapes in the Semiarid Western U.S.

Location: Forage and Range Research

Title: Determining quality and performance of cool season pasture grasses at high elevation in eastern Idaho

Author
item SAGERS, JOSEPH - University Of Idaho
item FINDLAY, J - University Of Idaho
item HATCH, JUSTIN - University Of Idaho
item SHEWMAKER, GLEN - University Of Idaho
item Jensen, Kevin
item HOGGE, JON - University Of Idaho
item ROEMER, RON - University Of Idaho
item Burr, Jan

Submitted to: Journal of the National Association County Agricultural Agents
Publication Type: Peer Reviewed Journal
Publication Acceptance Date: 6/3/2020
Publication Date: 6/3/2020
Citation: Sagers, J., Findlay, J.R., Hatch, J., Shewmaker, G., Jensen, K.B., Hogge, J., Roemer, R., Burr, J.M. 2020. Determining quality and performance of cool season pasture grasses at high elevation in eastern Idaho. Journal of the National Association County Agricultural Agents. 13(1).

Interpretive Summary: Grass hay production accounts for approximately 25% of the total hay produced in Idaho. At elevations higher than 6000 ft, grasses are one of the better options available for producers to optimize potential forage production. However, reduced forage yield at these higher elevations continues to be the largest determinant to economic return. Hence, this study reports yield data and forage quality on cool-season grasses (intermediate wheatgrass, meadow brome, orchardgrass, perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, and tall wheatgrass) growing at high elevations in Idaho. Changes in the environment from year to year affected forage yield more than species. Higher yielding grasses such as tall fescue and tall wheatgrass producwd lower RFQ values, while lower yielding grasses such as perennial ryegrass produced higher RDQ values.

Technical Abstract: At elevations higher than 6000 ft., grasses are one of the better options available for producers to optimize potential forage production. This study evaluates grass species intermediate wheatgrass (Rush), meadow brome (Regar), orchardgrass (Potomac II), perennial ryegrass (Journey), tall fescue (Teton), and tall wheatgrass (Alkar) grown at 6,120 ft. high elevation for dry-matter yield (DMY) and quality during the establishment year (2017), and 2018 and 2019 under irrigation. Higher yielding grasses such as tall fescue and tall wheatgrass produced lower RFQ values, while lower yielding grasses such as perennial ryegrass produced higher RFQ values.