Plants for the West

Plant Materials Release Catalog

Featuring Rangeland, Irrigated Pasture, and Turfgrass Germplasm

Forage and Range 

Research Laboratory

Logan, UT

Plant 

Releases

United States Department of Agriculture

Agricultural Research Service

April 2016

i

ABSTRACT

Staub, Jack, Kevin Jensen, Thomas Jones, Douglas Johnson, Michael Peel, Joseph Robins, Shaun 

Bushman, Steve Larson, Ivan Mott, Richard Wang, and Blair Waldron. 2016. Plant Releases: 

Forage and Range Research Laboratory, Logan, Utah, ARS-176. U.S. Department of Agriculture, 

Agricultural Research Service, Washington, D.C., 36 pp.

The Forage Range and Research Laboratory is a multidisciplinary team that has developed critically 

important plant materials presently used on western U.S. rangelands and pastures. In this volume, 

plant materials are categorized into three groups: rangeland, irrigated pasture, and turfgrass. 

Each group contains a plant overview that gives general information concerning germplasm 

origin, use, and optimal growing conditions; a list of beneficial plant material characteristics; and 

germplasm availability from local seed companies and seed ordering instructions from commercial 

seed growers. The audience for this publication includes agricultural researchers, seed companies, 

ecologists, extension agents, molecular geneticists, and plant breeders.

Keywords: forbs, germplasm, grass, legumes, plants, pre-variety germplasm, rangelands, seed, 

turfgrass, wheatgrass.

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE

ARS MISSION

ARS conducts research to develop and transfer solutions to agricultural problems of high 

national priority and provide information access and dissemination to: 

• ensure high-quality, safe food and other agricultural products; 

• assess the nutritional needs of Americans; 

• sustain a competitive agricultural economy; 

• enhance the natural resource base and the environment; and 

• provide economic opportunities for rural citizens, communities, and society as a whole.
ii

MISSION

Provide improved plant materials and management alternatives for sustainable stewardship 

of rangelands, pastures, and turf in the Western United States. 

VISION

The Forage and Range Research Laboratory (FRRL) is composed of a multidisciplinary 

team that has developed critically important plant materials presently used on the Western 

United States rangelands and pastures. The FRRL is recognized as the international center 

of excellence for integrated research in breeding, genomics, and ecological applications of 

perennial plants for dry, temperate environments. Research is accomplished through the 

combined efforts of plant breeders, molecular geneticists, and ecologists to enhance plants 

and associated agronomic practices for rangelands, pasture, and turf. Such plant materials, 

combined with best management practices, will result in sustainable stewardship in these 

agricultural growing environments.

While supplies last, single copies of this publication can be obtained at no cost from 

Jack Staub, USDA-ARS-FRRL, Utah State University, Logan, UT 84322-6300; or by 

e-mail at Jack.Staub@ars.usda.gov.

Copies of this publication may be purchased in various formats (microfiche, photocopy, CD, 

print on demand) from the National Technical Information Service, 5285 Port Royal Road, 

Springfield, VA 22161, (800) 553-6847, www.ntis.gov.

The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in all its programs and 

activities on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, and where applicable, 

sex, marital status, familial status, parental status, religion, sexual orientation, genetic 

information, political beliefs, reprisal, or because all or part of an individual’s income is 

derived from any public assistance program. (Not all prohibited bases apply to all programs.) 

Persons with disabilities who require alternative means for communication of program 

information (Braille, large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA’s TARGET Center 

at (202) 720-2600 (voice and TDD). To file a complaint of discrimination, write to USDA, 

Director, Office of Civil Rights, 1400 Independence Avenue, SW, Washington, D.C. 20250-

9410, or call (800) 795-3272 (voice) or (202) 720-6382 (TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity 

provider and employer. 

April 2016

ARS FORAGE AND RANGE RESEARCH LABORATORY

LOGAN, UT
iii

CONTENTS

Online User Guide............................................................................................................ iv

Product Release Classes ....................................................................................................v

FRRL Plant Materials ........................................................................................................ vi

Plant Improvement: The Story of Our Germplasm................................................................ vi

Rangeland

Native

Recovery: Western Wheatgrass ..........................................................................................1

P-7 Germplasm: Bluebunch Wheatgrass*.............................................................................2

Columbia Germplasm: Bluebunch Wheatgrass* ...................................................................3

Discovery: Snake River Wheatgrass ....................................................................................4

FirstStrike: Slender Wheatgrass .........................................................................................5

Bannock II: Thickspike Wheatgrass ....................................................................................6

Continental: Basin Wildrye ................................................................................................7

Sand Hollow Germplasm: Big Squirreltail* ..........................................................................8

Toe Jam Creek Germplasm: Bottlebrush Squirreltail* ............................................................9

Pleasant Valley and Antelope Creek Germplasms: Bottlebrush Squirreltail* ............................ 10

Fish Creek Germplasm: Bottlebrush Squirreltail* ............................................................... 11

Rattlesnake Germplasm: Bottlebrush Squirreltail* .............................................................. 12

Star Lake Germplasm: Indian Ricegrass* .......................................................................... 13

White River Germplasm: Indian Ricegrass* ....................................................................... 14

Reliable Germplasm: Sandberg Bluegrass* ....................................................................... 15

Cucharas Germplasm: Green Needlegrass* ....................................................................... 16

Yakima Germplasm: Western Yarrow* .............................................................................. 17

Majestic and Spectrum Germplasms: Western Prairie Clover * .............................................. 18

Fanny, Carmel, and Bonneville Germplasms: Searls’ Prairie Clover* ...................................... 19

NBR-1 Germplasm: Basalt Milkvetch* ............................................................................... 20

Introduced

Vavilov II: Siberian Wheatgrass ....................................................................................... 21

Stabilizer: Siberian Wheatgrass ....................................................................................... 22

Hycrest II: Crested Wheatgrass ....................................................................................... 24

Bozoisky II: Russian Wildrye ........................................................................................... 25

Mustang: Altai Wildrye ................................................................................................... 26

NewHy: RS Hybrid ......................................................................................................... 27

Arsenal: Meadow Bromegrass ......................................................................................... 28

Don: Falcata Alfalfa ........................................................................................................ 29

Snowstorm: Forage Kochia ............................................................................................. 30

Irrigated Pasture

Cache: Meadow Bromegrass ........................................................................................... 32

Turfgrass

RoadCrest: Crested Wheatgrass ...................................................................................... 33

* Pre-Variety Germplasm.
iv

Recovery

P-7*

Columbia

Discovery

Page 1

Page 2

Page 3

Page 4

Rangeland

Online User Guide Table of Contents

Using the Table of Contents/Index

1. Click on the plant of your choice.

 

The navigation bar is located at the bottom 

right of the document.

Use the navigation bar to zoom, change the 

page, and return to the Table of Contents or 

Plant Index. 

Press Ctrl + L to enter full screen mode. It 

may be easier to read the text in this mode. 

While viewing the document in full screen, 

only one page is visible at a time. To exit full 

screen mode, press Ctrl + L again.

Adobe Reader features a navigation panel. To activate the Navigation Panel, press F4. A 

menu will appear on the left of your screen. 

Click the bookmark name or page image (depending on program preference) to navigate 

to the desired release documentation. 

Using the Navigation Bar

Using the Navigation Panel

Zoom In

Zoom Out

Next Page

Previous Page

Table of Contents

? Reader Instructions
v

?

The complete catalog can be downloaded as an electronic copy directly from the Forage and 

Range Research Laboratory website.

To download a standard .pdf of the catalog, see:

http://www.ars.usda.gov/pwa/frr

Information on individual historical releases is given on the website at:

http://www.ars.usda.gov/Services/docs.htm?docid=17702

Although the catalog provides important information on the origin and characteristics of the 

releases, more information about our laboratory and the plant materials releases it produces 

(for example, grasses, legumes, and forbs) for use on rangelands, pastures, and turf can be 

found by visiting the Forage and Range Research Laboratory website at:

http://www.ars.usda.gov/pwa/frr

Additional Resources

Click here

Product Release Classes

The historical objective of plant germplasm development at the USDA, Agricultural Research 

Service, Forage and Range Research Laboratory (FRRL) is to produce varieties with documented 

adaptability and proven superior and/or unique characteristics that are distinct, uniform, and 

stable. A variety’s distinctiveness is documented by evaluating its performance across multiple 

locations and years.

1. Variety Releases

As an alternative to formal variety release (above), the Association of Official Seed Certifying 

Agencies (AOSCA) has defined specifications for the release of Pre-Variety Germplasm (PVG). 

Although there are several PVG release categories, the FRRL has only released “Selected” 

class germplasm (previously designated “Pre-Variety Germplasm-Selected Class”). Selected 

germplasms possess potentially desirable traits and may be the result of artificial selection 

within a population or by hybridization between populations (manipulated track), or by 

common-site comparisons among accessions or populations of the same species without 

artificial selection or hybridization (natural track).

2. Pre-Variety Selected Class Germplasm
vi

FRRL Plant Materials

Plant materials are 

categorized into 

three groups:

Rangeland

Irrigated Pasture 

Turfgrass 

With each release 

documentation, you will 

find these sections:

Plant Overview

General information concerning 

germplasm origin, use, and 

optimal growing conditions

Plant Benefits

A list of beneficial plant 

material characteristics

How To Order Seed

Germplasm availability and 

ordering instructions

Breeding Strategies

The FRRL uses both simple and complex 

breeding strategies that facilitate 

germplasm release. These strategies range 

from evaluation of collected materials for 

Pre-Variety release without plant selection, 

to cultivar release strategies that involve 

intense evaluation, plant selection, and 

then recombination of the best plants in a 

cyclic fashion (below).

Plant Breeding Scheme

Plant Improvement

The Story of Our Germplasm

Identify plant species

• Collect germplasm

• Plant surveys

• Evaluation trials

Assemble genetic base

• Surveyed plants

• Breeding program

Repeat cycle

Release germplasm Establish source

nurseries

Cross-develop

strains

Select best 

parental lines

Evaluate and select

superior plants from

source nurseries

Evaluate progenies

Rangeland
vii

Foundation (early generation) seed 

is produced from “Breeder” seed that 

originates from seed increases of parental 

plant materials under controlled conditions.

Seed Harvest

The production conditions of “Foundation” 

seed are strictly controlled such that uniform 

pollination occurs in a seed increase block.

Seed Cleaning

Seed cleaning involves careful attention to 

each production field’s seed purity, where 

only the highest quality seed is retained and 

extraneous materials are eliminated.

Education and Delivery 

FRRL clientele are regularly invited to 

see our experimental and released plant 

materials where critical management 

information is disseminated.

?

Foundation Seed Production
viii
?

1

Plant Overview

“Recovery” was released in 2009 by the USDA-ARS, the 

U.S. Army Corps of Engineers—Engineer Research and 

Development Center, and the USDA-Natural Resources 

Conservation Service. It was developed as a rapidly 

establishing grass for revegetation of semiarid rangelands 

in the Intermountain West, Great Basin, and Northern 

Great Plains regions of the Western United States. It is 

especially intended for revegetation of frequently disturbed rangelands, military training lands, and areas where 

repeated wildfires occur. 

Rapid establishment is one of the keys to successful revegetation in the Western United States. Thus, western wheatgrasses’ inherently slow establishment limits its effectiveness in reducing erosion and controlling weeds in areas 

with frequent, severe disturbances. Selection emphasis 

during Recovery’s development focused on faster seedling 

establishment. During the establishment year, Recovery 

consistently demonstrated an increase in the frequency of 

seedlings (averaged across eight locations) when compared 

to ‘Arriba’, ‘Barton’, ‘Flintlock’, ‘Rodan’, and ‘Rosana’ 

western wheatgrasses. Recovery typically has superior 

stand until 4 to 6 years after planting, when due to their 

rhizomatous nature, the stand of all western wheatgrasses 

were equal.

On average, Recovery’s establishment is better than 

Bozoisky Russian wildrye, similar to Bozoisky II and 

Vavilov Siberian wheatgrass, and lower than Vavilov II, 

Hycrest, and Hycrest II crested wheatgrasses.

Morphological evaluations indicated that, in appearance, 

Recovery is most like Rosana and least like Barton western 

wheatgrasses. Two forage yield trials in Utah indicated that 

Recovery yielded comparably or slightly less than other 

western wheatgrasses.

Recovery 

Western Wheatgrass 

Pascopyrum smithii

The rapid establishment of Recovery, in comparison to 

other western wheatgrass cultivars, will allow land managers to use this native grass species to help limit weed 

infestation and soil erosion in areas where the regularity of 

disturbances normally prevents western wheatgrass from 

becoming fully established.

Plant Benefits

• SUPERIOR SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT

• MORE PERSISTENT

• HIGH DROUGHT TOLERANCE

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine 

availability, or call the Utah Crop Improvement 

Association (435-797-2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) 

or the Idaho Foundation Seed Program (208-423-6655; 

Williams@kimberly.uidaho.edu) to find commercial 

seed growers. Breeder, Foundation, Registered, and 

Certified seed classes are recognized. Foundation seed 

is available through the following contacts: the Utah 

Crop Improvement Association and the Idaho Foundation 

Seed Program.

Establishment 

Year

2nd

Year

3rd

Year

4+

Years

Recovery

80

70

60

50

40

Stand Persistence of ‘Recovery’

Arriba Barton Flintock

Rodan Rosana

Stand (%)

Rangeland Native
2

Plant Overview

Bluebunch wheatgrass is a very 

important native bunchgrass 

found in the sagebrush-steppe 

ecosystem of the Intermountain 

Region, as well as the Rocky 

Mountains and western Great 

Plains of the United States. This 

grass is highly palatable to grazing animals, but is susceptible 

to overgrazing. For this reason, 

bluebunch wheatgrass is believed 

to be currently less common than 

before the introduction of livestock in the latter half of the 19th 

century. Bluebunch wheatgrass may be awned or awnless, 

and is predominately cross-pollinated.

P-7 was released in 2001 as a 

selected class Pre-Variety Germplasm (genetically manipulated 

track) on the basis of its high 

genetic diversity. Participating in 

the release were the USDA-ARS 

and the Agricultural Experiment 

Station, Utah State University, 

Logan, UT. 

Collection Site.

P-7 is intended to provide genetic diversity within a single 

germplasm for semiarid to mesic sites where bluebunch 

wheatgrass was an original component of the vegetation. 

P-7 was constructed as a multiple-origin polycross and was 

developed by intermating 24 individual populations from 

Washington (13; WA), Idaho (3; ID), Oregon (3; OR), Utah 

(2), Nevada (1), Montana (1), and British Columbia (1) 

(Larson et al. 2000). The accessions from WA, ID, and OR 

represent a bluebunch wheatgrass center of genetic diversity, while the remaining accessions represent additional 

genetic variation from peripheral collection locations. P-7 

is predominately awnless.

P-7 Germplasm 

Bluebunch Wheatgrass 

Pseudoroegneria spicata

Mature spikes of bluebunch wheatgrass. 

P-7 in replicated trials (Beaver, UT).

Seed production field. 

Plant Benefits

• ABUNDANT SEED YIELDS

• HIGH GENETIC DIVERSITY

• BROAD ADAPTATION RANGE

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Early generation (G) seed is maintained by the 

USDA-ARS-FRRL at Logan, UT. Stock seed is available 

through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.

Larson, S.R., T.A. Jones, Z-M. Hu, A.J. Palazzo, and C.L. McCracken. 

2000. Genetic diversity of bluebunch wheatgrass cultivars and a 

multiple-origin polycross. Crop Science 40:1142–1147.
?

3

Plant Overview

Columbia was released in 2015 as a selected class 

Pre-Variety Germplasm (genetically manipulated track) 

on the basis of its origin at a low-precipitation site and 

its excellent seed yield potential. Like ‘Whitmar,’ P-7 

Germplasm, and Anatone Germplasm, but unlike ‘Goldar,’ 

Columbia is predominately awnless. Collaborators in the 

release were the USDA-NRCS and the Agricultural 

Experiment Station, Utah State University, Logan, UT.

Previous bluebunch wheatgrass plant materials have originated from sites that are much wetter than where they are 

typically used. The collection site of Columbia’s parent 

population in Adams County, WA, receives an average of 

about 10 inches of annual precipitation, while ‘Whitmar,’ 

‘Goldar,’ and Anatone Germplasm originate from WA sites 

with an average annual precipitation of 22, 24, and 20 

inches, respectively. While above-ground biomass of 

Columbia in the establishment year is relatively high, 

biomass in subsequent years is relatively low, perhaps 

reflecting the relatively low productivity of Columbia’s 

site of origin. 

Columbia is the product of five cycles (C) of recurrent 

selection, mostly for high numbers of spikes. Despite this 

history of artificial selection, genetic diversity, as measured 

with DNA markers, did not decline with selection. This 

is because a deliberate effort was made to avoid inbreeding by maintaining a relatively large population size when 

generating each new cycle. For instance, the number of 

plants selected was 43 (C1), 78 (C2), 146 (C3), 60 (C4), 

and 62 (C5). 

Plant Benefits

• SUPERIOR SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT

• MORE PERSISTENT

• GENETIC DIVERSITY

Seed increase field of Columbia bluebunch wheatgrass.

Columbia Germplasm

Bluebunch Wheatgrass 

Pseudoroegneria spicata [Pursh] Á. Löve

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability, 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) or the Idaho Foundation 

Seed Program (208-423-6655; Williams@kimberly.uidaho.

edu) to find commercial seed growers. Breeder, Foundation, Registered, and Certified seed classes are recognized. 

Foundation seed is available through the following contacts: the Utah Crop Improvement Association and the 

Idaho Foundation Seed Program.

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

P-7 Columbia Goldar Whitmar Anatone

Establishment year

Biomass (grams/plot)

700

600

500

400

300

200

100

0

 P-7 Goldar Anatone Whitmar Columbia

Mean of 4 post-establishment years

Biomass (grams/plot)

180

160

140

120

100

80

60

40

20

0

C0 C1 C2 C3 C4 C5

Genetic diversity

Cycle of selection
4

traces its origin to materials collected 

in Whitman and Asotin Counties in 

southeastern Washington and Idaho 

County in central Idaho. Discovery 

seedlings are more persistent during the summer drought than Secar 

seedlings, resulting in enhanced stand 

establishment. Thus, Discovery is 

intended as an alternative to Secar.

Plant Benefits

• ENHANCED SEED YIELDS

• IMPROVED STAND ESTABLISHMENT

• INCREASED DRY-MATTER YIELDS

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Breeder, Foundation, Registered, and Certified 

seed classes are recognized. Foundation seed is available 

through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.

Plant Overview

Snake River wheatgrass was officially described as a new species in 

1997, although this species was first 

recognized in 1986. The first release 

of Snake River wheatgrass, ‘Secar’, 

was made in 1980. At the time, Secar 

was released as a bluebunch wheatgrass, and this confusion has persisted in the seed trade for many years.

The two species have a strikingly 

similar appearance, but they can easily be separated based 

on floral and seedling characters. Snake River wheatgrass 

is always awned, while bluebunch wheatgrass may be 

awned or awnless. The seedlings of Snake River wheatgrass are downy in appearance, while bluebunch wheatgrass seedlings have comparatively few hairs. Snake River 

wheatgrass has a smaller seed and is 

generally more drought and grazing 

tolerant than bluebunch wheatgrass. 

Bluebunch wheatgrass is widespread 

throughout the Intermountain Region and the Rocky Mountains of 

the Western United States, but the 

natural distribution of Snake River 

wheatgrass is limited to the drainages of the Columbia River and the lower portion of the 

Snake River in eastern Washington, northern and central 

Idaho, and northeastern Oregon. Snake River wheatgrass 

is always tetraploid (2n=28), while bluebunch wheatgrass 

is usually diploid (2n=14), but occasionally tetraploid 

(2n=28).

Despite its limited natural distribution, Snake River 

wheatgrass has been widely used in restoration seed mixes 

throughout the Intermountain Region of the Western United States. Because of its drought and grazing tolerance, it 

may be regarded as a successful surrogate for bluebunch 

wheatgrass in environments where these traits are important. Like bluebunch wheatgrass, Snake River wheatgrass 

is cross-pollinating.

‘Discovery’ was released in 2007. Participating in the 

release were the USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Experiment Station, Utah State University, Logan, UT. Discovery 

Discovery 

Snake River Wheatgrass 

Elymus wawawaiensis

Discovery Secar

Dry-matter yield of Discovery and Secar Snake 

River wheatgrass (2001-2003)

1,000

800

1,400

1,200

600

400

200

0

Blue Creek, Utah Green Canyon, Utah

Dry-matter yield (lbs/acre) 
?

5

Plant Overview

Slender wheatgrass is a short-lived, native bunchgrass with 

good seedling vigor and moderate palatability. Slender 

wheatgrass tolerates a wide range of conditions and is well 

adapted to high altitude ranges and more favorable sites on 

sagebrush and pine habitats and aspen and tall-mountain 

shrub regions. Due to its rapid seed germination and establishment, moderate salt tolerance, and compatibility with 

other species, slender wheatgrass is a valuable component 

in erosion-control and mine land-reclamation seed mixes. 

Slender wheatgrass is widely adapted throughout the Western United States and Canada, where it grows at elevations 

from 4,500 to 10,000 feet along dry to moderately wet 

roadsides, streambanks, meadows, and woodlands from 

valley bottoms to subalpine and alpine elevations in aspen 

and open coniferous forests. It is, however, less drought 

tolerant than many of the wheatgrasses, including crested 

and bluebunch wheatgrass, and prefers loamy and sandy 

loamy soils in areas receiving at least 12 inches of annual 

precipitation.

‘FirstStrike’ was released in 2006 by the USDA-ARS and 

the U.S. Army—Engineer Research and Development 

Center for use on arid and semiarid rangelands as a rapidly establishing revegetation grass in the Intermountain 

Region and Northern Great Plains of the Western United 

States. FirstStrike was selected for persistence and overall 

plant vigor in response to drought. 

Rapid seedling establishment is the key to a successful 

revegetation planting in the Western United States. FirstStrike slender wheatgrass possesses enhanced germination and seedling establishment on dry rangelands. In 

seeded trials at Yakima Training Center (YTC), Yakima, 

WA; Camp Guernsey, Guernsey, WY; Fillmore, UT; and 

FirstStrike 

Slender Wheatgrass 

Elymus trachycaulus

Malta, ID, FirstStrike had significantly more seedlings 

per unit area than Pryor during the establishment year. At 

Guernsey, WY, forage production was 27 percent greater in 

FirstStrike than Pryor. FirstStrike also germinated 5 days 

earlier than Pryor on three different soil types (sandy loam, 

loam, and sandy).

Plant Benefits

• MORE PERSISTENT

• HIGH DROUGHT RESISTANCE

• HIGHER DRY-MATTER YIELDS

• SUPERIOR SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Breeder, Foundation, Registered, and Certified 

seed classes are recognized. Foundation seed is available 

through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.

FirstStrike Slender WG

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Stand Persistence at Filmore, Utah

Pyror Slender WG

Establishment 

year 2004

Site 1 Site 2

Persistence yr-2 

2005

Persistence

mean 04-05

Establishment

year 2005

Stand (%)

FirstStrike Slender WG

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Pyror Slender WG

Stand Persistence at Guernsey, Wyoming

Establishment 

year 2004

Persistence yr-2 

2005

Persistence

mean 04-05

Establishment

year 2005

Stand (%)

Site 1 Site 2
6

Plant Overview

Thickspike 

wheatgrass is an 

important 

cool-season grass 

native to 

the Central 

and Western United 

States and 

Canada. 

Because of its drought tolerance and soil stabilization characteristics owing to its aggressive rhizome development, 

thickspike wheatgrass is a common component of western North American revegetation seed mixes. Yet, there 

remains a need for thickspike wheatgrass with more rapid 

seedling establishment and increased seed production. 

For this reason, the USDA-ARS released the thickspike 

wheatgrass cultivar Bannock II in 2015, which possesses 

exceptional seedling establishment and seed production 

attributes. 

Bannock II resulted from two cycles of selection from an 

initial cross between cultivars Bannock and Schwendimar 

for increased seed production, seedling establishment, and 

biomass. Validation of Bannock II’s seedling establishment, seed production, and ability to germinate and emerge 

from a deep planting depth occurred in multi-location field 

trials and greenhouse assays. The intended use of Bannock 

II is for revegetation projects on semiarid rangelands in the 

northern Great Basin, Snake River Plain, and Columbia 

Plateau.

Across six field evaluations in Utah, Bannock II possessed 

higher seedling establishment than the thickspike wheatgrass cultivars Bannock, Critana, Elbee, Schwendimar, and 

Sodar. Similarly, across 3 years of seed production at two 

locations (Logan and Nephi, UT), Bannock II 

possessed higher seed production than the thickspike 

wheatgrass cultivars Bannock, Critana, and Sodar. 

Bannock II also emerged more rapidly from deep seeding 

depth and had greater total emergence than the cultivars 

Bannock, Critana, Schwendimar, and Sodar. Bannock II is 

morphologically similar to its parental cultivars Bannock 

and Schwendimar.

Bannock II

Thickspike Wheatgrass 

Elymus lanceolatus (Scribn. & J.G. Sm.) Gould

The ability of Bannock II to rapidly germinate and emerge 

following seeding provides an important tool for land managers faced with the need to rapidly revegetate disturbed 

rangeland in the Intermountain United States. Additionally, 

its high seed yield provides a good option to seed producers to maximize production.

Plant Benefits

• DROUGHT TOLERANCE

• SUPERIOR SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT

• SUPERIOR SEED PRODUCTION

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Breeder, Foundation, Registered, and Certified 

seed classes are recognized. Foundation seed is available 

through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.

Blue Eureka Millville Nephi 1 Nephi 2 Richmond Total

 Creek

Bannock II Bannock Critana Elbee Schwendimar Sodar

Increased Seedling Establishment

Number of Seedlings

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Field Locations

Bannock II Bannock Critana Sodar

2012 2013 2014 Total 

Increased Seed Yield

Seed Yield (grams)

450

400

350

300

250

200

150

100

50

0

Bannock II thickspike wheatgrass evaluation 

nursery at Blue Creek, UT.
?

7

Plant Overview

Basin wildrye is a statuesque late-maturing bunchgrass that is widespread 

throughout the Intermountain Region 

of the Western United States. It is 

highly drought tolerant once 

established, but in more arid regions, 

it tends to occupy ravines where 

water occasionally accumulates. 

The use of this species has been 

limited by its weak seedling vigor 

and poor seedling establishment. 

Basin wildrye consists of two races 

having distinct chromosome numbers. Tetraploids (2n=28) 

are found east of the Continental Divide and in Utah, 

southern Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, New Mexico, and 

Arizona, while octoploids (2n=56) are found in the northern Intermountain Region in Washington and British Columbia. Tetraploids and octoploids overlap in northeastern 

California, northern Nevada, and Oregon. Basin wildrye is 

predominately cross-pollinating. 

‘Continental’ was released in 2008 

by the USDA-ARS, the Upper 

Colorado Environmental Plant 

Center, the USDA-NRCS, and the 

Agricultural Experiment Station, 

Utah State University, Logan, UT. 

Continental was developed by 

hybridizing ‘Magnar’ (2n=56) and 

a chromosome-doubled version 

(2n=56) of ‘Trailhead’ (2n=28) 

followed by selection for seedling 

and mature-plant vigor. 

During the summer, Magnar develops a distinct bluish wax 

on its leaves and stems, while Trailhead remains green. In 

Continental, about three-fourths of the plants are bluish. 

Continental has displayed similar or superior stand establishment to Trailhead and Magnar in evaluation trials in 

west-central Utah, northeastern Utah, southwestern Wyoming, and northwestern Colorado. Continental is expected 

to be adapted in areas of the Intermountain Region where 

Trailhead and Magnar have been used successfully.

Continental 

Basin Wildrye 

Leymus cinereus

Plant Benefits

• RAPID SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT

• ABUNDANT SEED YIELD

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Breeder, Foundation, Registered, and Certified 

seed classes are recognized. Foundation seed is available 

through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.

Stand percentage and seed mass of basin wildrye

Stand percentage

Continental Trailhead Magnar

50

60

70

40

30

20

10

Oak Creek 

Utah

Lands End 

Colorado

Bluebell

Utah

Beaver

Utah

0

Stand (%)

5/05 5/06 6/07 5/06 7/07 5/07

Continental Trailhead Magnar Washoe

Seed mass at Millville, UT (2009)

4

5

3

2

1

0

Seed mass (mg)
8

Plant Overview

Big squirreltail is a native short-lived 

perennial bunchgrass that is noted for 

its ability to compete with invasive 

annual weeds such as cheatgrass and 

medusahead wildrye. This grass is 

most common in California, Nevada, 

Oregon, and Idaho. Because of its 

prominent awns, this grass is not considered to be an important forage species, but it is popular 

in restoration mixes.

Sand Hollow was released in 1996 as a selected class 

Pre-Variety Germplasm (natural track) and is predominately self-pollinated. Participating in 

the release were the USDA-ARS, 

the Agricultural Experiment 

Station, Utah State University, 

Logan, UT, and the USDA-Natural 

Resources Conservation Service. 

Awns of Sand Hollow. 

Sand Hollow was collected in Gem County, Idaho, near 

the town of Emmett. The collection site was a west-facing 

slope consisting of loamy coarse sand where the average 

annual precipitation is about 11 inches. 

In general, big squirreltail is found in wetter habitats than 

bottlebrush squirreltail. However, Sand Hollow was collected from the driest portion of big 

squirreltail’s distribution. Seed harvest 

of Sand Hollow requires close attention because of its tendency to shatter. 

Care must also be taken in debearding 

during threshing, so as not to damage the seed and reduce viability. 

Sand Hollow was the first squirreltail 

release and remains the only released 

big squirreltail. 

Seed production 

of Sand Hollow. 

Sand Hollow Germplasm 

Big Squirreltail 

Elymus multisetus

Typical rangeland seeding.

Plant Benefits

• ABUNDANT SEED YIELDS

• COMPETITIVE WITH INVASIVE 

ANNUAL GRASS

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Early generation (G) seed is maintained by the 

USDA-ARS-FRRL at Logan, UT. Stock seed is available 

through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.

Sand Hollow
?

9

Toe Jam Creek

Plant Overview

Bottlebrush squirreltail is an important early-seral grass that is utilized for rangeland restoration. The 

californicus subspecies can be found 

in montane habitats from British 

Columbia to California and east to 

Nevada, central Idaho, northern Utah, 

northwestern Wyoming, and southwestern Montana. Bottlebrush squirreltail is predominately self-pollinated, but when it coexists 

with bluebunch wheatgrass, sterile hybrid plants are not 

uncommon. The seed of ssp. californicus squirreltail is 

larger than the more common ssp. elymoides bottlebrush 

squirreltail, but the general appearance and stature of these 

two squirreltails is similar. Like the other squirreltails, ssp.

californicus is susceptible to seed shattering. 

Toe Jam Creek was released in 2003 as a selected class 

Pre-Variety Germplasm (natural track). Participating in the 

release were the USDA-ARS, the Agricultural Experiment 

Station, Utah State University, Logan, UT, the USDANRCS, and the U.S. Department of Interior (USDI)-

Bureau of Land Management. Toe Jam Creek was 

collected in northwestern Elko County, Nevada, about 8 

miles west of the town of Tuscarora. Elevation at the 

collection site was 6,000 feet, and average annual precipitation at Tuscarora is 12 inches. Toe Jam Creek’s intended 

area of use is the northern Great Basin and the lower Snake 

River Plain of the Western United States. 

Toe Jam Creek in replicated trial (Beaver, UT).

Toe Jam Creek Germplasm 

Bottlebrush Squirreltail 

Elymus elymoides ssp. californicus

Seed production field.

Plant Benefits

• HIGH SEED WEIGHT 

• ENHANCED SEEDLING VIGOR

• ABUNDANT SEED YIELDS

• POPULAR IN RESTORATION 

SEED MIXES

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Early generation (G) seed is maintained by the 

USDA-ARS-FRRL at Logan, UT. Stock seed is available 

through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.
10

Typical collection site of bottlebrush squirreltail.

Plant Benefits

Pleasant Valley

• ABUNDANT SEED YIELDS

• ADAPTED TO THE EASTERN BLUE 

MOUNTAINS OF OREGON

Antelope Creek

• ABUNDANT SEED YIELDS

• ADAPTED TO THE WESTERN BLUE 

MOUNTAINS AND EASTERN CASCADES 

OF OREGON

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Early generation (G) seed is maintained by the 

USDA-ARS-FRRL at Logan, UT. Stock seed is available 

through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.

Pleasant Valley

Antelope Creek

Plant Overview

A new bottlebrush squirreltail subspecies has recently 

been recognized based on DNA data (Larson et al. 2003). 

Pending taxonomic revision, Pleasant Valley and Antelope 

Creek germplasms are provisionally referred to as Elymus

elymoides ssp. “C”. This subspecies is most common in 

central and eastern Oregon, but it also extends into northeastern California, northern Nevada, and southern Idaho. 

This subspecies is taller, later in maturity, and more common at higher elevations than the elymoides or californicus 

subspecies of bottlebrush squirreltail.

Pleasant Valley was released in 2010 as a selected class 

Pre-Variety Germplasm (natural track). Participating in 

the release were the USDA-ARS and the Agricultural 

Experiment Station, Utah State University, Logan, UT 

(UAES). Pleasant Valley was chosen for release based on 

its high seed yield relative to other accessions from the 

eastern Blue Mountains of Oregon. It was collected on 

a southwest-facing slope near Interstate-84, exit 315 in 

Baker County, Oregon, about 9 miles southeast of Baker 

City. Elevation at the site is 3,825 feet and average annual 

precipitation is 14 inches. Pleasant Valley is intended for 

use in the eastern Blue Mountains of Oregon, Washington, 

and Idaho.

Antelope Creek was released in 2009 as a selected PreVariety Germplasm (natural track). Participating in the 

release were the USDA-ARS and the UAES. Antelope 

Creek was chosen for release based on its high seed yield 

relative to other accessions collected at sites of similar 

precipitation level in the Western Blue Mountains and the 

eastern slopes and foothills of the Eastern Cascade Range 

in Oregon. Antelope Creek was collected in Wasco County, 

Oregon, about 7 miles east of the town of Antelope. Elevation at the site is 3,650 feet, and average annual precipitation is 14 inches. Antelope Creek is intended for use in the 

central region.

Pleasant Valley and Antelope 

Creek Germplasms 

Bottlebrush Squirreltail 

Elymus elymoides

Larson, S.R., T.A. Jones, C.L. McCracken, and K.B. Jensen. 2003. 

Amplified fragment length polymorphism in Elymus elymoides, E. multisetus, and other Elymus taxa. Canadian Journal of Botany 81:789-805.
?

11

Fish Creek in replicated trial (Beaver, UT).

Plant Benefits

• RAPID SEEDLING EMERGENCE

• ORIGINATES IN THE SNAKE RIVER 

PLAIN

• POPULAR FOR RESTORATION SEED 

MIXES

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Early generation (G) seed is maintained by the 

USDA-ARS-FRRL at Logan, UT. Stock seed is available 

through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.

Fish Creek

Plant Overview

The elymoides subspecies of 

bottlebrush squirreltail is the 

most common and widespread 

of all western U.S. squirreltails. It is common on valley 

floors throughout much of the 

Intermountain Region of the 

Western United States. Like the other squirreltails, ssp.

elymoides is short-lived, self-pollinating, and susceptible to 

shattering. Its primary use is in restoration seed mixes. 

Fish Creek was released in 2003 as a selected class

Pre-Variety Germplasm (natural track). Participating in 

the release were the USDA-ARS, the Agricultural Experiment Station, Utah State University, Logan, UT, the 

USDI-Bureau of Land Management, and the USDANRCS. When compared with other ssp. elymoides populations, Fish Creek possessed high seedling emergence 

rates and the latest heading date. Fish Creek was collected 

in Blaine County, Idaho, 

about 6 miles northeast 

of the town of Carey. 

Elevation at the site is 

approximately 4,750 feet, 

and average annual precipitation is about 12 inches. 

Typical heavily awned 

spike. 

Seed production field. 

Fish Creek Germplasm 

Bottlebrush Squirreltail 

Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides
12

Typical bottlebrush squirreltail habitats. 

Plant Benefits

• ADAPTED TO DROUGHT CONDITIONS

• ORIGINATES IN THE SNAKE RIVER 

PLAIN

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Early generation (G) seed is maintained by the 

USDA-ARS-FRRL at Logan, UT. Stock seed is available 

through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.

Rattlesnake

Plant Overview

The most widespread of all 

the bottlebrush squirreltails 

is the subspecies elymoides. 

It frequently inhabits valley 

floors throughout much of the 

Intermountain Region of the 

Western United States. Like 

the other squirreltails, ssp. elymoides is short-lived, selfpollinating, and susceptible to shattering. Its primary use is 

in restoration seed mixes.

Rattlesnake was released in 2007 as a selected class 

Pre-Variety Germplasm (genetically manipulated track). 

Participating in the release were the USDA-ARS, the Agricultural Experiment Station, Utah State University, Logan, 

UT, and the USDI Bureau of Land Management. 

Rattlesnake under replicated evaluation (Beaver, UT).

Rattlesnake was developed from accession T-1175, a 

population collected 4 miles northwest of the overpass of 

old Highway 30 over Interstate-84 near Mountain Home in 

Elmore County, Idaho. Elevation at the site is 3,835 feet, 

and estimated average annual precipitation is 12 inches. 

Rattlesnake is a bulk of eight lines selected from T-1175 

for biomass, number of seedheads, and height. This material is intended to be used primarily in its area of origin, in 

the Lower Snake River Plain of Idaho.

Seed production field of Rattlesnake. 

Rattlesnake Germplasm 

Bottlebrush Squirreltail 

Elymus elymoides ssp. elymoides
?

13

Star Lake

Plant Benefits

• EXCELLENT GERMINABILITY

• ADAPTED TO THE FOUR CORNERS 

REGION AND THE LOWER COLORADO 

PLATEAU

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Early generation (G) seed is maintained by the 

USDA-ARS-FRRL at Logan, UT. Stock seed is available 

through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.

Plant Overview

Indian ricegrass is an important bunchgrass that is found 

on light-textured soils throughout much of the Intermountain 

Region of the Western United 

States. Broad use of this highly 

variable species has been 

hampered by poor seedling establishment due to very high 

levels of seed dormancy. 

Star Lake was released in 2004 as a selected class

Pre-Variety Germplasm (genetically manipulated track). 

Participating in the release were the USDA-ARS, the 

Agricultural Experiment Station, Utah State University, 

Logan, UT, the USDA-NRCS, and the USDI-Bureau of 

Land Management. Star Lake was collected in northeastern 

McKinley County, New Mexico, about 14 miles northwest 

of the town of Torreon. Elevation at 

the collection site is 6,750 feet, and 

average annual precipitation is about 

10 inches. Star Lake was released on 

the basis of its high germinability, 

which is attributed to the thinness of 

the brown coverings that encapsulate 

the seed. Star Lake seed is relatively 

small and elongated in shape.

Flowering habit. 

Star Lake is one of three seed morphs found at the Star 

Lake collection site (See image below).

Comparison of Indian ricegrass seed morphs

Jumbo (JS) Globose (GS) Star Lake

Star Lake Germplasm 

Indian Ricegrass 

Achnatherum hymenoides

Germination and seed mass of Indian ricegrass

70

60

40

30

10

50

20

0

Star Lake GS morph JS morph

Seed Mass 

8

7

6

4

3

1

9

5

2

0

Seed mass (mg)

Germination

Germination (%)
14

Plant Benefits

• VIGOROUS PLANT

• GOOD SEED YIELD

• HIGH GERMINABILITY

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Early generation (G) seed is maintained by the 

USDA-ARS-FRRL at Logan, UT. Stock seed is available 

through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.

White River

Plant Overview

Indian ricegrass is an important bunchgrass found on 

light-textured soils throughout 

much of the Intermountain 

Region of the Western United 

States. Broad use of this highly 

variable species has been 

hampered by poor seedling 

establishment due to very high 

levels of seed dormancy. Indian ricegrass is a highly self-pollinating species, but hybrids 

with several needlegrass species are known to occur.

White River was released in 

2006 as a selected class 

Pre-Variety Germplasm 

(genetically manipulated 

track). Participating in the 

release were the USDAARS, the Agricultural 

Experiment Station, Utah 

State University, Logan, 

UT, and the USDI-Bureau 

of Land Management. The 

parental population of White River, PI 232329, was collected along route 64, about 24 miles east of the town of 

Rangely, CO. Average annual precipitation at the collection site is 10 to 12 inches, and elevation is about 5,400 

feet. Thirty-two lines were selected from PI 232329 based 

on high germinability and seed yield, and these lines were 

bulked to form White River. It is anticipated that White 

River will be used in the Upper Colorado Plateau of 

eastern Utah, western Colorado, and the Basin Province of 

southern Wyoming.

Indian ricegrass

Nezpar Rimrock White River

White River Germplasm 

Indian Ricegrass 

Achnatherum hymenoides

Seed production.

PI 232329 Rimrock Nezpar

Stand percentage at Soda Lake, WY (1997-2002)

15

20

10

5

0

1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002

Stand (%)
?

15

Sandberg bluegrass resists trampling and is often one of 

the first species to naturally reestablish on sites disturbed 

by fire, large equipment and vehicles, and animals. Thus, 

Reliable’s intended use is for rehabilitation and restoration 

of western rangelands. It may be particularly useful as a 

pioneer plant species in severely disturbed environments, 

such as military training sites and after wildfires.

Plant Benefits

• SUPERIOR PERSISTENCE

• BROAD GENETIC VARIATION

• HIGH DROUGHT TOLERANCE

• ORIGINATES FROM FREQUENTLY 

DISTURBED SITES

• RELIABLE SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT 

IN DIVERSE ENVIRONMENTS 

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Early generation (G) seed is maintained by the 

USDA-ARS-FRRL at Logan, UT. Stock seed is available 

through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.

Plant Overview

Reliable was released in 2004 by 

the USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Experiment Station, Utah State 

University, Logan, UT, as a Selected Class (natural track) germplasm, 

which is eligible for seed certification under Association of Seed 

Certifying Agencies guidelines. 

Reliable was developed in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps 

of Engineers and the Strategic Environmental Research 

and Development Program (SERDP) project to identify 

resilient plant characteristics and develop wear-resistant 

plant cultivars for use on military training lands. Reliable 

Sandberg bluegrass is a multi-origin germplasm assembled 

to ensure adaptation across a broad range of ecological 

sites and provide a source of abundant seed. Reliable has 

been successfully established in rangeland trials in Utah, 

Idaho, and Washington where it has displayed better 

establishment and persistence than standard Sandberg 

check cultivars.

Sandberg bluegrass is an important understory grass in 

bluebunch wheatgrass-sagebrush ecological sites of the Intermountain and Northwest Regions of the Western United 

States. It is a medium-lived, perennial bunchgrass valuable 

for soil erosion control, spring livestock and wildlife grazing, and biodiversity.

Reliable was developed by 

compositing seed from plants 

originating from 28 locations, 

with each location potentially 

containing unique co-adapted 

gene complexes. Three-hundred 

fourteen Sandberg bluegrass 

plants were initially collected as 

live plants from 28 locations at 

the U.S. Army Yakima Training 

Center (YTC) in Yakima, WA. The collection locations had 

the following range of characteristics: annual precipitation 

(5 to 12 in.); surface soil texture (loam to sand); soil depth 

(6 to 72 in.); slope (0 to 45%); aspect (north, south, east, 

and west); and elevation (800 to 3,400 ft.). Collections 

were made in foothill, plain, canyon bottom, canyon summit, ridge top, canyon side, and bottom flat environments.

Reliable Germplasm 

Sandberg Bluegrass 

Poa secunda

Establishment

year

2nd

year

3rd

year

4+ 

years

‘Reliable’

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

Stand persistence of ‘Reliable’ Sandberg Bluegrass

Check

Stand (%)
16

Plant Benefits

• ABUNDANT SEED YIELDS

• TOLERANT OF GRAZING

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Early generation (G) seed is maintained by the 

USDA-ARS-FRRL at Logan, UT. Stock seed is available 

through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.

Plant Overview

Green needlegrass is an important 

native bunchgrass in the Western 

Great Plains and Rocky Mountains, 

ranging from New Mexico to Alberta, 

Canada. It is a useful forage species 

and is especially tolerant of grazing. 

Green needlegrass is an excellent seed 

producer, but stand establishment has 

been limited by high levels of seed 

dormancy. Although green needlegrass 

is predominately self-pollinated, it can 

produce sterile progeny upon hybridization with Indian 

ricegrass. 

Cucharas was released in 2003 as 

a selected class Pre-Variety Germplasm (natural track). Participating in 

the release were the USDA-ARS and 

the Agricultural Experiment Station, 

Utah State University, Logan, UT. 

The original collection of Cucharas 

was made near Cucharas Junction, 

Huerfano County, Colorado, approximately 4 miles northeast of the town 

of Walsenburg. Cucharas was chosen for release because of 

its high productivity and seed yield relative to ‘Lodorm’, 

which originated in North Dakota. 

Lodorm Cucharas 

Cucharas Germplasm 

Green Needlegrass 

Nassella viridula

Cucharas Lodorm

Dry-matter yield Seed Yield (g/plant) 100

120

80

60

40

20

0

2007 2008 2009

Seed yield and germination of green 

needlegrass germplasm (2001,2003)

4

Seed yield

3

2

1

0

Seed Yield (g/plant)

Cucharas Lodorm AC Mallard

60

50

80

70

40

30

20

10

0

2001

Germination (%)

2003

Germination
?

17

Plant Overview

Yakima was released 

in 2004 by the USDAARS and the Agricultural 

Experiment Station, Utah 

State University, Logan, 

UT, as a Source Identified Class (natural track) 

germplasm, which is eligible for seed certification 

under Association of Seed 

Certifying Agencies guidelines (AOSCA 2001). Yakima 

was developed in cooperation with the U.S. Army Corps 

of Engineers and the Strategic Environmental Research 

and Development Program (SERDP) project to identify 

resilient plant characteristics and develop wear-resistant 

plant cultivars for use on military training lands. Yakima 

western yarrow is a multi-origin germplasm assembled to 

ensure adaptation across a broad range of ecological sites 

and provide a source of readily available seed. 

Yakima western yarrow demonstrated vigorous growth in 

field nurseries near Logan, UT, and has been successfully 

established in field trials in Utah, Idaho, and Washington 

where it established and persisted equal to or better than a 

common variety of western yarrow. A range of phenotypic 

(visual) differences has been observed in the seed production field indicating the broad range of phenotypic diversity within this germplasm. 

Yakima was initially developed by combining germplasm 

from multiple environments, each possibly possessing a 

different co-adapted gene complex to enhance its establishment across a range of semiarid ecosystems. This wildland 

seed (generation G0) was collected from 27 locations 

representing seven different ecological sites at the U.S. 

Army Yakima Training Center (YTC) in Yakima, WA. The 

collection locations had the following range of characteristics: annual precipitation (6 to 11 in.); surface soil texture 

(loam to sand); soil depth (6 to 72 in.); slope (1 to 30%); 

aspect (north, south, east, and west); and elevation (1,600 

to 2,800 ft.). The collections were made in foothill, plain, 

canyon bottom, canyon summit, ridge top, canyon side, 

and bottom flat environments.

Western yarrow is an important, abundant forb in bluebunch wheatgrass–sagebrush plant communities of the 

Yakima Germplasm

Western Yarrow 

Achillea lanulosa

Intermountain and Northwest Regions of the United States. 

It is rhizomatous and drought tolerant, enabling it to recruit 

into disturbed areas, and often competes well with invasive 

weedy plant species. Yakima western yarrow is intended 

for use in rehabilitation and restoration of western U.S. 

rangelands. It will be particularly useful in helping to stabilize and diversify severely disturbed sites, such as military 

training lands and burned areas.

Plant Benefits

• ENHANCED PERSISTENCE

• BROAD GENETIC VARIATION

• HIGH DROUGHT TOLERANCE

• ORIGINATES FROM FREQUENTLY 

DISTURBED SITES

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Early generation (G) seed is maintained by the 

USDA-ARS-FRRL at Logan, UT. Stock seed is available 

through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.

Establishment

year

2nd

year

3rd

year

‘Yakima’ yarrow

6

5

4

3

2

1

0

Stand Persistence of ‘Yakima’ in Washington

Yarrow Check

Stand (%)
18

Plant Overview

Use of a diversity of species in rangeland revegetation can help minimize 

weed invasion. Diverse species 

occupy available ecosystem niches 

that could otherwise be colonized by 

invasive weeds. Legumes are of particular interest because they biologically fix nitrogen, which can increase 

the productivity of associated species in plant communities. Legumes 

also typically contain more protein 

and less fiber than many other plants at similar stages of 

maturity. Few North American legumes, however, are commercially available for revegetation of arid and semiarid 

western rangelands.

Western prairie clover is a 

perennial North American 

legume that is non-toxic to 

livestock and wildlife. It 

is found in Idaho, Nevada, 

Washington, Oregon, and 

California. Western prairie 

clover develops a taproot 

that reaches a length of 1 to 2 feet. The species is primarily insect-pollinated. A cluster of stems arises from the 

crown, and stems die back during late fall and early winter. 

Flowers are typically pinkish to purple in color and occur 

in dense, cylinder-shaped spikes. The flowers of Western 

prairie clover bloom upward from the base of the spike to 

its tip during a 3-week period in June and July, depending 

on location and year. 

Majestic and Spectrum Germplasm were released in 2011 and 

are intended for use in revegetation of arid and semiarid rangelands. They are useful in increasing biodiversity, enhancing 

forage quality, providing a food 

source for birds and wildlife, and 

biologically fixing nitrogen. They 

also can be used in habitat enhancement programs for native pollinators and in the beautification of roadsides, rest 

areas, and parks. Similarly, their beautiful, showy flowers 

make them ideal for use in home xeriscaping 

applications.

Majestic Germplasm was selected for use in western 

Columbia Plateau (Washington) and western Blue Mountains (Oregon). Spectrum Germplasm was selected for 

use in the central and eastern Columbia Plateau, central 

and eastern Blue Mountains, northern Great Basin, and 

Snake River Plain of the Western United States (see image 

below). 

Plant Benefits

• NITROGEN FIXER

• DROUGHT TOLERANT

• SHOWY FLOWERS

To order seed:

Early generation (G), G0 (original generation), and 

G1 seed is maintained by the USDA-ARS-FRRL at 

Logan, UT. Stock seed is available through the Utah 

Crop Improvement Association (435-797-2082; 

stanford.young@usu.edu).

Majestic and Spectrum Germplasms 

Western Prairie Clover 

Dalea ornata

Majestic Germplasm

 Spectrum Germplasm

 Collection Site

Montana

Idaho

Oregon

Washington
?

19

Plant Overview

Forb species enhance rangeland biodiversity and provide 

food and habitat resources for grazing animals, native 

pollinators, and wildlife (including sage-grouse) in the 

Western United States. Leguminous forbs biologically fix 

nitrogen, improve forage quality, and increase plant production in rangelands. 

Searls’ prairie clover is a perennial North American legume 

that is insect pollinated and occurs naturally in Nevada, 

northwestern and southern Utah, southeastern California, 

and northern Arizona. It is non-toxic to grazing animals, 

has an upright growth habit (1 to 2 ft. tall), and produces 

multiple stems that arise from a shallow, woody base. 

Flower spikes on terminal branches bear dense cylindrical 

clusters of showy, small pink- to purple-colored flowers. 

The flower spike consists of many individual flowers that 

bloom from the base to the tip of the spike. 

Twenty collections of Searls’ prairie clover were characterized for their phenotypic and genotypic variation in 

common gardens and with DNA-marker analysis, respectively. Two distinct genetic groups are apparent: one group 

comprising collections from Nevada and southern Utah 

(Group A) and another from northwestern Utah (Group B). 

Fanny and Bonneville Germplasms were released in 2015 

as natural-track selected class Pre-Variety Germplasms 

to represent Group A and Group B, respectively. Fanny 

Germplasm originated from a site south of Ely, NV (12 in. 

annual precipitation, 6,680 ft. elevation), whereas Bonneville Germplasm originated from relatively saline soils on 

the shores of historic Lake Bonneville, south of Wendover, 

UT (7 in. annual precipitation, 4,656 ft. elevation). Carmel 

Germplasm was released for use on the Colorado Plateau 

and regions near Mt. Carmel, UT, its site of origin (14 in. 

annual precipitation, 5,561 ft. elevation). 

Typically in northern Utah, Fanny Germplasm flowers 

earlier and produces greater dry-matter yield (DMY) and 

number and weight of inflorescences than Bonneville 

Germplasm. Bonneville Germplasm should be considered 

for harsh sites with low annual precipitation and relatively 

high salinity levels. These two germplasms are intended 

for rangeland revegetation, biodiversity enhancement, and 

wildlife and pollinator habitat improvement for Great 

Basin rangelands. These are the first releases of this 

species into the commercial seed trade. 

Bonneville and Fanny germplasm groups as defined by 

molecular genotyping.

Plant Benefits

• BIODIVERSITY ENHANCEMENT

• NITROGEN FIXATION

• DROUGHT TOLERANT

• STRIKING FLOWERS FOR POLLINATORS

To order seed:

Early generation (G), G0 (original generation), and G1 

seed is maintained by the USDA-ARS Forage and 

Range Research Laboratory at Logan, UT. Stock seed 

is available through the Utah Crop Improvement 

Association (435-797-2082; stanford.young@usu.edu), 

and the Upper Colorado Environmental Plant Center 

(970-878-5003; ucepc@wreawildblue.org) for Fanny 

and Bonneville, and Carmel, respectively.

Fanny, Carmel, and Bonneville 

Germplasms 

Searls’ Prairie Clover 

Dalea searlsiae

Bonneville germplasm Fanny germplasm
20

NBR-1 basalt milkvetch selected class Pre-Variety 

Germplasm was derived from 12 collections that originated from the northern Great Basin in Utah, Idaho, Oregon, 

and California. Elevations of these collection sites ranged 

from (4,049 to 6,148 ft.), and precipitation varied from 8 

to 18 inches. NBR-1 Germplasm was released in 2008 and 

is intended for rangeland revegetation, rangeland diversity 

enhancement, and wildlife and pollinator habitat improvement. Its showy flowers and drought-resistant characteristics make it of interest for xeriscaping applications in 

home gardens.

Plant Benefits

• NITROGEN FIXER

• DROUGHT RESISTANT 

• AESTHETIC FLOWERS

To order seed:

Early generation (G), G0 (original generation), and 

G1 seed is maintained by the USDA-ARS-FRRL at 

Logan, UT. Stock seed is available through the Utah 

Crop Improvement Association (435-797-2082; 

stanford.young@usu.edu).

Plant Overview

Arid and semiarid rangelands 

are usually nitrogen-limited, 

and only a few native legumes 

are commercially available 

for revegetation of arid and 

semiarid western U.S. rangelands. Legumes in rangelands 

and pastures fix atmospheric 

nitrogen (N) in association with 

rhizobia bacteria, enhance plant 

diversity, and increase the quantity and quality of forage for 

livestock and wildlife. They also increase the productivity 

of associated species in plant communities by releasing 

symbiotically fixed N through root exudates and decaying 

plant litter. Legumes also generally contain more protein 

and less fiber than grasses at similar stages of maturity. 

Basalt milkvetch, also known 

as threadstalk milkvetch, is 

a perennial North American legume that is found in 

California, Idaho, Nevada, 

Oregon, Utah, Washington, 

northern Mexico, and British Columbia, Canada. It is 

a relatively tall (up to 3 ft.), 

sparsely leafed plant with 

creamy white to pale-yellow 

flowers. Basalt milkvetch has 

a thick, woody taproot with clumped stems arising from 

the crown. Its long, thin seedpods (which dry to a papery 

texture) are attached to the stem with a characteristic 

thread-like attachment. Basalt milkvetch occurs commonly 

on basalt-derived, sandy, loamy or gravelly soils in sagebrush-steppe, pinyon-juniper woodland, ponderosa pine 

forest, or chaparral ecosystems. 

Its upright growth habit and prominence in recently burned 

areas makes basalt milkvetch a promising species for 

rangeland revegetation. Its prevalence after fire may be 

especially important considering the increasing fire frequency on western U.S. rangelands and the importance 

of fire as a management tool. Although many species of 

Astragalus are toxic to livestock, basalt milkvetch has nondetectable or extremely low levels of toxic compounds.

NBR-1 Germplasm

Basalt Milkvetch 

Astragalus filipes

Idaho

Montana

Utah

Wyom.

Nevada

Oregon

Washington

Calif.

 Collection Site
?

21

Plant Benefits

• HIGH STAND PERSISTENCE

• IMPROVED DROUGHT TOLERANCE

• SUPERIOR SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability, 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) or the Idaho Foundation 

Seed Program (208-423-6655; Williams@kimberly.uidaho.

edu) to find commercial seed growers. Breeder, Foundation, Registered, and Certified seed classes are recognized. 

Foundation seed is available through the following contacts: the Utah Crop Improvement Association and the 

Idaho Foundation Seed Program.

Plant Overview

Vast areas of semiarid rangeland in 

the Western United States are 

severely disturbed, frequently 

burned, increasingly eroded, and 

infested with troublesome weeds. 

Reseeding disturbed rangelands with 

genetically improved plant materials that are competitive enough to 

replace existing undesirable vegetation is often the most plausible and economically feasible 

way to reclaim such sites.

One such cultivar is the newly released Siberian wheatgrass Vavilov II, which was developed by the USDA-ARS 

and released in 2008 in cooperation with the U.S. Army 

Engineer Research and Development Center and the 

USDA-NRCS.

Vavilov II is an improved cultivar of Siberian wheatgrass 

that was derived from collections originating from the 

steppes of Kazakhstan and selected clones of the cultivar Vavilov. This new cultivar was selected for increased 

seedling establishment and stand persistence in response to 

drought. Vavilov II expands the genetic base of the cultivar 

Vavilov and has been evaluated extensively on ecological 

sites in the Western United States. It has superior seedling 

establishment and stand persistence when compared to 

Vavilov.

In North America, Vavilov II is well-adapted to a wide 

range of ecological sites and zones that receive as little 

as 7 to 8 inches of precipitation in regions of the northern 

and central Great Plains, and in the Intermountain Region, 

where it is a long-lived, drought-tolerant, bunch-type grass.

Vavilov II is noted for its ability to establish quickly on 

sandy soils. It is adapted to foothills, sagebrush, ponderosa 

pine, mountain brush, and pinyon-juniper ecological zones. 

Vavilov II is one of the few grasses that can compete with 

difficult-to-control weeds such as cheatgrass, halogeton, 

and medusahead wildrye in arid environments. Vavilov 

II is recommended primarily for soil conservation on dry 

sandy soils, where it is tolerant to grazing by wildlife and 

livestock.

Vavilov II 

Siberian Wheatgrass 

Agropyron fragile

Vavilov II Vavilov

Stand Establishment 

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Stand (%)

Yakima, 

WA

Guernsey,

WY

Fillmore,

UT

Curlew

Valley, ID

Malta,

ID

Dugway, 

UT

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Vavilov II Vavilov

Stand Persistence 

Yakima, 

WA

Guernsey,

WY

Fillmore,

UT

Curlew

Valley, ID

Malta,

ID

Stand (%)

Rangeland Introduced
22

Stabilizer is the only true Siberian wheatgrass to be released, since recent reports suggest that P-27, Vavilov, and 

Vavilov II have some introgression with Agropyron desertorum. Stabilizer has a narrower genetic base than cultivars 

of Siberian wheatgrass and has been evaluated extensively 

on rangeland sites in the Western United States with seedling establishment and persistence similar to Vavilov II.

Plant Benefits

• LOW GROWTH HABIT

• DROUGHT TOLERANT

• ENHANCED SEEDLING VIGOR

• PERSISTANCE UNDER HARSH GROWING 

CONDITIONS

• USED FOR RANGELANDS, ROADSIDES, 

AND SOIL CONSERVATION

Plant Overview

Vast areas of semiarid rangelands in the Western United 

States are currently classified as severely disturbed. In addition, based on predicted climate-change models for semiarid rangelands, trends toward hotter and drier conditions 

will increase, increasing the already high rate of rangeland 

degradation, particularly on semiarid ecosystems. With 

these changes, the frequency and intensity of wildfires 

will expand. There is a need to develop a drought-tolerant 

grass that is low-growing, can establish and compete with 

invasive species such as cheatgrass and medusahead, and 

maintain its green color throughout the growing season.

The USDA-ARS-FRRL released a new Siberian wheatgrass cultivar ‘Stabilizer’ in 2011. Stabilizer was selected 

for seedling establishment, persistence, seed production, 

pubescence, and reduced forage yield. It has been extensively evaluated at semiarid sites representative of different ecological regions in the northern plains and Western 

United States. Overall, it has maintained its short growth 

habit and color with seedling establishment and persistence 

similar to Vavilov and Vavilov II in these environments. 

This unique cultivar is lower growing, maintains its bluegreen color throughout the growing season, but produces 

less forage than Siberian wheatgrass cultivars Vavilov and 

Vavilov II. It was developed for use on arid and semiarid 

rangelands as a low growing, rapid establishing revegetation grass for use on rangelands and roadsides, and as a 

grass component in fire strip plantings in the Intermountain 

West, Great Basin, and Northern Great Plains Regions 

of the Western United States. Due to its rapid establishment and persistence, Stabilizer can successfully compete 

against troublesome weeds such as cheatgrass, medusahead 

rye, and others, which frequently occupy the targeted sites. 

Stabilizer 

Siberian Wheatgrass 

Agropyron fragile

White Rocks near Dugway, UT

Vavilov 

Siberian wheatgrass

Stabilizer 

Siberian wheatgrass

Stabilizer Siberian wheatgrass

P-27 

Siberian wheatgrass

Vavilov II 

Siberian wheatgrass

Guernsy, WY Fillmore, UT Malta, ID Dugway, UT Beaver, UT King Hill, ID Spring City, UT

Stand (%)

Stand Establishment Stabilizer Vavilov II Vavilov

100

80

60

40

20

0
?

23

Stand Persistence

Stand (%)

100

80

60

40

20

0

Stabilizer Vavilov II Vavilov

Guernsy, WY Fillmore, UT Beaver, UT Malta, ID

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association 

(435-797-2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed growers. Breeder, Foundation, Registered, and 

Certified seed classes are recognized. Foundation seed is 

available through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.
24

Canyon, UT; Mandan, ND; Miles City, MT; Dugway, UT; 

and Curlew Valley, ID. Due to Hycrest II’s increased seedling establishment potential 

(particularly under harsh dry 

environments), it is intended 

to replace Hycrest for 

reseeding of severely disturbed range sites on heavier 

soils receiving less than 15 

inches of annual 

precipitation. It is recommended that Hycrest II be planted 

as a component in seed mixes and not as a monoculture.

Plant Benefits

• RAPID SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT

• INCREASED DROUGHT TOLERANCE

• INCREASED STAND PERSISTENCE 

UNDER DROUGHT

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association 

(435-797-2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find 

commercial seed growers. Breeder, Foundation, 

Registered, and Certified seed classes are recognized. 

Foundation seed is available through the Utah Crop 

Improvement Association.

Plant Overview

It has been estimated that cheatgrass (Bromus tectorum) 

has displaced approximately 10 million hectare of perennial vegetation in the Great Basin. During the past 20 years, 

the frequency and size of cheatgrass infestations have continued to increase, which enhances fire frequency, destroys 

soil structure, and reduces the economic profitability of 

western U.S. rangelands. The control of cheatgrass without 

replacement by desirable perennial species frequently results in the reestablishment of cheatgrass or other noxious 

weeds on disturbed rangeland. Rapid seedling growth and 

the ability to compete against cheatgrass are two characteristics that perennial grasses must have for successful 

establishment on semiarid western rangelands.

Crested wheatgrass is one of only a few grasses that have 

the ability to compete with difficult-to-control weedy annuals such as cheatgrass, halogeton, and medusahead on 

semiarid rangelands that receive between 10 to 15 inches 

of annual precipitation. Crested wheatgrass is a long-lived, 

drought-tolerant, bunch to moderately rhizomatous range 

grass that is adapted to a wide range of ecological sites 

including foothills, sagebrush, ponderosa pine, mountain 

brush, and pinyon-juniper habitats. 

Competitiveness of crested wheatgrass

1st Year 2nd Year 3rd Year

Hycrest II crested wheatgrass was released by the USDAARS and the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station, Utah 

State University, Logan, UT, in 2008, and is intended for 

use on arid and semiarid rangelands as a rapidly establishing revegetation grass in the Intermountain Region and 

Northern Great Plains of the Western United States. Hycrest II was selected for improved seedling establishment 

under dryland conditions. 

Hycrest II produces more seedlings per unit area during the 

establishment year than Hycrest at Bluecreek, UT; Green 

Hycrest II 

Crested Wheatgrass 

Agropyron cristatum

Hycrest II

Hycrest II Hycrest CD-II Nordan

Stand Establishment 

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Bluecreek,

UT

Green

Canyon, UT

Mandan,

ND

Miles

City, MT

Stone, 

ID

Dugway,

UT

 Stand (%)
?

25

winter forage grass in the Intermountain Region and 

Northern Great Plains of the Western United States. Bozoisky II was selected for seedling establishment, seed mass, 

seed yield, plant vigor, forage production, and response to 

drought. It has been extensively evaluated on rangeland 

sites in the Western United States, where it has been shown 

to have equal or greater seedling establishment than commercially available cultivars. In seeded trials at Guernsey, 

WY, King Hill, ID, and Soda Lake, WY, Bozoisky II had 

significantly more seedlings per unit area than did Bozoisky-Select. 

Plant Benefits

• RAPID SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT

• INCREASED DROUGHT TOLERANCE

• INCREASED STAND PERSISTENCE 

AND FORAGE PRODUCTION UNDER 

DROUGHT 

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association 

(435-797-2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find 

commercial seed growers. Breeder, Foundation, 

Registered, and Certified seed classes are recognized. 

Foundation seed is available through the Utah Crop 

Improvement Association.

Plant Overview

Russian wildrye is a longlived bunchgrass. Most 

of the forage of this 

species is produced in 

the basal leaves that 

grow rapidly in spring 

and remain palatable 

throughout the summer 

and fall, as long as soil 

moisture is available. In 

North America, this species has been successfully seeded 

most often on arid and semiarid rangelands of the Northern Great Plains and Intermountain Regions in areas that 

receive above 8 inches of annual precipitation. It is adapted 

to heavy grazing, and once established, Russian wildrye 

competes effectively with undesirable plants (for example, 

weeds and annuals). 

Russian wildrye is best adapted to the highly fertile loam 

and clay soils of the Intermountain Region of the Western 

United States, although acceptable stands can be obtained 

on a wide range of soil types. Forage production and 

stand persistence decline on low fertility soils. Nevertheless, Russian wildrye is exceptionally tolerant of cold and 

drought. Although its resistance to drought exceeds that of 

crested wheatgrass, it is more difficult to establish. Within 

the Intermountain Region, Russian wildrye is adapted to 

sagebrush, mountain-brush, and pinyon-juniper environments. It is moderately tolerant of saline and alkaline soils, 

and is particularly productive on soils too alkaline for 

crested wheatgrass and too dry for tall wheatgrass.

Bozoisky Bozoisky II

Bozoisky II Russian wildrye was released in 2006 for use 

on arid and semiarid rangelands as a revegetation and 

Bozoisky – II 

Russian Wildrye 

Psathyrostachys juncea

Bozoisky II

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Superior Stand Establishment

Bozoisky-Select

Guernsey, WY King Hill, ID Fort Carson, CO Soda Lake, WY

Stand (%)
26

Plant Benefits

• HIGHER DRY-MATTER YIELDS

• SUPERIOR PERSISTENCE

• SUPERIOR INITIAL STANDS 

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Breeder, Foundation, and Certified seed classes 

are recognized. Foundation seed is available through the 

Utah Crop Improvement Association.

Plant Overview

Altai wildrye is a long-lived 

perennial bunchgrass with short 

creeping rhizomes that has excellent winter hardiness and drought 

resistance. Altai wildrye is native to 

western Siberia, in the Altai Mountain Region between Siberia and 

Mongolia, and is widely distributed 

throughout Kazakhstan. 

It is most often found on semi-desert, alkaline meadows, 

steppes, on sandy or rocky river edges, and in lake valleys. 

It is well adapted to loam and clay soils. Altai wildrye is 

almost as productive as tall wheatgrass on saline soils.

Forage of Altai wildrye cures well and maintains its nutritional value better during the late summer and early fall 

than many cool-season grasses. Erect culms and moderate 

forage quality make Altai wildrye a valuable species for 

extending the grazing season into the fall and winter. 

In the past, the major limitation for the use of Altai wildrye 

was its poor seedling establishment and low seed yields. 

In 2004, the USDA-ARS and the Agricultural Experiment 

Station, Utah State University, Logan, UT, released ‘Mustang’ Altai wildrye with increased seedling establishment 

and forage yield.

Mustang Altai wildrye 

has been evaluated at 

Blue Creek, UT; Green 

Canyon, UT; Mead, 

NE; Sidney, NE; 

Mandan, ND; and 

Miles City, MT, for 

forage production, 

stand establishment, 

and persistence. 

Mustang produced 

significantly more forage than cultivars Prairieland and 

Pearl Altai wildrye, and Magnar and Trailhead basin 

wildrye. Except at Mead, NE, Mustang had superior initial 

stands over the other Altai and basin wildrye cultivars 

examined. After 4 years, Mustang was more persistent than 

Prairieland and Pearl.

Mustang 

Altai Wildrye 

Leymus angustus

Northern Plains Area Regional Trials 

Dry-matter forage yields

7,000

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

Forage production (kg ha-1)*

Initial Stand Establishment in 2001

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Stand (%)

Mustang Altai wildrye (AWR) Prairieland AWR Pearl AWR

Persistence in 2003 

100

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0

Stand (%)

 Mustang Prairieland

Blue Green Mead, Mandan, Miles, Sidney, Mean

Creek, Canyon, NE ND City, NE (locations)

UT UT MT

Blue Green Mead, Mandan, Miles, Sidney, Mean

Creek, Canyon, NE ND City, NE (locations)

UT UT MT

* lbs/Acre = 0.893 x kg/ha

1 Not evaluated

Blue Green Mead, Mandan, Miles, Sidney, Mean

Creek, Canyon, NE ND City, NE (locations)

UT1 UT1 MT
?

27

option is to harvest a hay crop in early summer and graze 

the regrowth in late fall and early winter as winter forage. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NewHy Alkar tall wheatgrass

On saline soils, as either a hay or pasture crop, the forage 

quality (palatability and nutritional value) of NewHy is 

better than that of tall wheatgrass.

Plant Benefits

• EXCELLENT QUALITY FORAGE

• HIGH DROUGHT RESISTANCE

• HIGH SALT TOLERANCE

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association 

(435-797-2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find 

commercial seed growers. Breeder, Foundation, 

Registered, and Certified seed classes are recognized. 

Foundation seed is available through the Utah Crop 

Improvement Association.

Plant Overview

NewHy RS hybrid wheatgrass 

is a cross between quackgrass 

and bluebunch wheatgrass. This 

cross combines the vigor, productivity, salinity tolerance, and 

persistence of quackgrass with 

the drought resistance, bunch 

growth habit, and seed and forage quality of bluebunch wheatgrass. The rhizome development in NewHy is comparable 

to intermediate wheatgrass. 

This new hybrid cultivar is recommended for range sites 

and pastures with moderate salinity problems and that 

receive at least 14 to 16 inches of effective annual precipitation. The forage quality of NewHy is excellent. NewHy 

begins growth early in the spring and retains a more succulent and palatable forage for livestock and wildlife later 

in the growing season than all other wheatgrass germplasm 

evaluated on semiarid sites. Under high soil fertility and 

adequate irrigation, forage yields of NewHy are lower 

than other pasture grasses (that is, orchardgrass, meadow 

brome, and tall fescue). However, on saline soils where 

irrigation is limited or absent, NewHy will persist and 

provide high-quality forage when other pasture grasses 

are short-lived and lack productivity. Salinity tolerance of 

NewHy approaches tall wheatgrass.

Meadow brome, NewHy, Meadow brome, Tall fescue. 

Under hay management, NewHy should be cut at the preheading stage to maximize forage quality. When harvested 

later, forage quality declines as plant maturity increases. 

Under proper management, one can expect two crops of 

hay from a NewHy field per year. Another management 

NewHy 

RS Hybrid 

Elymus hoffmannii

* lbs/Acre = 0.893 x kg/ha 1 WG=wheatgrass 2 MB=meadow brome

Alkar tall WG1

7,000

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

Evaluation in Utah County for dry-matter 

yield (2004-2006)

NewHy WG1

 Dry-matter yield (kg/ha)* 

Fleet MB2 Fawn tall fescue

Cultivar
28

Fall nutritional characteristics of Arsenal were better than 

Cache in crude protein and in vitro true digestibility. Arsenal expands the use of meadow bromegrass from irrigated 

pastures to non-irrigated pastures and rangelands with 13 

inches or more annual precipitation, providing livestock 

producers with high-yielding nutritious forage, which is 

winter hardy and drought tolerant.

Plant Benefits

• HIGH YIELDING – DROUGHT TOLERANT

• SUPERIOR SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT

• SUPERIOR WINTER HARDINESS

To order seed:

Arsenal is licensed through Barenbrug USA, and seed 

can be obtained by contacting this company. Breeder, 

Foundation, Registered, and Certified seed classes are 

recognized. 

Plant Overview

Meadow bromegrass is 

a long-lived perennial 

with moderately creeping 

rhizomes, early season forage production, and rapid 

regrowth after defoliation 

typically grown under 

irrigation. However, with 

the interest in utilizing 

less productive agricultural land often associated 

with periods of reduced irrigation or increased drought, 

soil salinity, and low fertility, there is a need to develop an 

improved pasture grass under non-irrigated environments. 

Arsenal meadow bromegrass, which was selected for plant 

vigor, rapid seedling establishment, increased forage and 

seed yield, and seed mass under dryland environments 

ranging between 10 to 18 inches of annual precipitation, 

fills that need. Arsenal’s intended use is on semiarid rangelands and non-irrigated pastures as a rapid establishing 

forage grass with early spring growth, good fall nutritional 

quality, and exceptional winter hardiness. Arsenal meadow 

bromegrass resulted from five cycles of intercrossing 

plants tracing back to meadow bromegrass cultivars Fleet, 

Regar, Paddock, and Cache. 

Arsenal meadow 

bromegrass 

(Panguitch, UT).

On dryland sites, Arsenal had significantly better seedling 

establishment and overall stand persistence combined from 

2011-2013 than meadow bromegrass cultivars Cache and 

Regar. Arsenal has been evaluated in New York, Kentucky, 

Wyoming, and Utah for forage yield and is superior or 

equal to the cultivar Cache. It has demonstrated its ability to produce DMY comparable to or better than smooth 

bromegrass and meadow bromegrass cultivars under higher precipitation environments in New York and Kentucky. 

Arsenal 

Meadow Bromegrass 

Bromus biebersteinii Roem. & Schult. (excluded) Percent Stand

Plant Establishment and Persistence

Arsenal Cache Regar

90

80

70

60

50

40

30

20

10

0 Est. 2011 2012 2013 2014 Comb.

Eureka, UT - Years

Arsenal meadow bromegrass 

(Eureka, UT).

Dry Matter (lbs acre-1)

Forage Production

Eueka, UT Cheyenne,WY Lexington, KY

Locations

10,000

9,000

8,000

7,000

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

Arsenal-MB

Cache-MB

Regar-MB

MacBeth-MB

Doina-SB 

Olga-SB

Peak-SB

Bigfoot-hybrid

AC Knowles-hybrid
?

29

When moisture is limiting, Don will go dormant. Seeds of 

Don are smaller when compared to typical alfalfa. Don’s 

seeding rate is 1 lb/acre. Don also has a high percentage of 

hard seed that should prove to be an advantage when it is 

used in dormant seedings with grasses.

Plant Benefits

• INCREASED FORAGE PRODUCTION 

UNDER DROUGHT CONDITIONS

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Breeder, Foundation, Registered, and Certified 

seed classes are recognized. Foundation seed is available 

through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.

Plant Overview

Don was developed for 

use exclusively in mixed 

plantings and is meant 

for use on semiarid 

rangelands and irrigated 

pastures. Don is a persistent and non-aggressive 

legume that can be used 

in land reclamation. When 

grown in mixtures with grasses, alfalfa cultivars Ladak, 

Spredor3, Amerigaze, and P53V08 showed long-term mortality ranging from 25 to 50 percent. In contrast, there was 

no measurable mortality in Don when grown in these grass 

mixtures. Over a 4-year period at Nephi, UT, which has a 

long-term annual precipitation of 13 inches, Don showed 

9 percent mortality compared to Ladak (46%) and Vernal 

(38%). 

Don has small, fine leaves and stems that bear bright yellow flowers. Don has a semi-decumbent growth habit that 

does not deter grazing but makes mechanical harvesting 

difficult. It also has moderately fibrous roots with a crown 

typically 1 to 2 inches below the soil surface. The top 

part of the crown can be removed, and plants will initiate 

growth from well below the soil surface. 

When Don was 

used in mixtures 

with tall fescue and 

meadow brome, 

the production 

increased from 

10 to 32 percent. 

Similar production advantages 

are expected when 

Don is grown with 

crested wheatgrass on dry rangelands. It has a low-growth 

habit and stays well below the canopy of most cool-season 

grasses. Thus, it will not dominate when grown in mixtures 

with grasses. When grown in monocultures, however, forage yield of Don is less than sativa-type alfalfas. Consequently, Don is only recommended for growing in mixtures 

with grass. 

Don 

Falcata Alfalfa 

Medicago sativa ssp. falcata

Don mixed with kochia and 

altai wildrye.

Persistence of Don is greater than standard 

commercial alfalfa varieties

Don Ladak Spredor3 Amerigraze P53V08

40%

50%

80%

90%

100%

70%

60%

30%

20%

10%

0

Plant persistence

Irrigated

Alfalfa monoculture Grass-alfalfa mix

Non-Irrigated Irrigated Non-Irrigated

Irrigated

Don 2.40 2.31 1.25 0.47

2.59 2.20 1.25 0.83

3.06 2.42 1.63 0.82

2.07 1.84 0.84 0.58

2.92 2.59 1.36 0.99

6.42

6.88

7.93

5.33

7.86

3.47

5.28

5.87

5.03

6.03

2.31 0.83 0.32 0.03

3.64 1.35 0.22 0.07

3.84 1.68 0.27 0.08

3.40 1.43 0.17 0.03

4.02 1.65 0.32 0.05

Don

Meadowbrome

Meadowbrome

Tall fescue

Tall fescue

MB/Don

MB/Don

TF/Don

TF/Don

Non-irrigated

Using Don in mixtures increases yield potential

Harvest

1

Harvest

2

Harvest

3

Harvest

4

Seasonal 

production
30

Descriptively, Snowstorm is subspecies grisea, with 

increased pubescence and grayish-green stems as compared to the more glabrous, reddish stems of subspecies 

virescens-types, including Immigrant. 

Successful establishment is dependent upon understanding 

forage kochia seed biology. Forage kochia does not emerge 

from depths, has rapid loss of seed viability when stored, 

and has delayed, asynchronous germination of fresh seed. 

Therefore, the best establishment comes from broadcast 

plantings done during the months of December through 

February using freshly harvested seed. Seed bed should be 

prepped by tillage, fire, or other disturbance. 

Snowstorm seed is 1.6 times larger (280,000 seeds per 

pound), and is mature 2 to 3 weeks earlier (mid-November), than Immigrant. To maximize quality and production 

of fall and winter grazinglands, it is recommended to plant 

Snowstorm at a rate of 2 to 4 lbs pure live seeds per acre in 

combination with adapted, grazing tolerant grasses.

Plant Benefits

• TALL STATURE FOR ENHANCED WINTER 

GRAZING

• HIGHER PRODUCTION FOR ENHANCED 

WINTER GRAZING

• INCREASED PROTEIN AND 

DIGESTABILITY TO IMPROVE 

LIVESTOCK PERFORMANCE

• DROUGHT AND SALT TOLERANT TO 

IMPROVE RANGELAND PRODUCTIVITY

• STAY GREEN TO STOP WILDFIRES 

Plant Overview

Snowstorm forage kochia was released on March 22, 2012, 

by the USDA-ARS Forage and Range Research Laboratory and the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station. 

Forage kochia is an important winter forage for sheep, 

cattle, and wildlife. ARS research has shown that the cultivar ‘Immigrant’ increases rangeland carrying capacity by 

up to six-fold, improves cattle body condition during winter grazing, and reduces winter feed costs by 25 percent. 

However, Immigrant’s short stature has limited its use for 

fall and winter grazing due to the snow cover associated 

with many rangelands. 

Snowstorm is named for its ability to extend the grazing 

season and is recommended to ranchers and land managers 

as a taller, more productive, more nutritious forage kochia 

for fall and winter grazing by livestock and wildlife. 

Snowstorm 

Forage Kochia 

(Bassia prostrata [L.] A.J. Scott) 

(synonym=Kochia prostrata [L.] Schrad.)

Snowstorm (left) versus Immigrant (right). 

Blue Creek, UT.

Snowstorm. Dubois, ID.

Cattle grazing on Immigrant forage kochia.
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31

Table 1. Snowstorm performance compared 

to Immigrant forage kochia. 

Data from 5 locations in UT, ID, WY, OR, and WA 

(Snowstorm numbers followed by different letters 

than Immigrant are statistically different).

Entry Snowstorm Immigrant

Height (in) 30 a 18 b

Forage (lb/acre) 2,256 a 1,343 b

Protein (%)* 7.9 a 6.5 b

NDF (%) 48.2 a 47.0 a

ADF (%) 34.4 b 33.0 a

IVTD (%) 67.4 a 64.8 b

Mature seed Mid-Nov Early-Dec

Seed yield (lb/acre) 119 a 166 a

Seeds (per pound) 280,000 a 530,000 b

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability. 

Call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; sayoung@mendel.usu.edu) to obtain stock seed. 

Breeder, Foundation, Registered, and Certified seed 

classes are recognized. 

Snowstorm Forage Kochia

Snowstorm Immigrant

Consistently Higher Forage Yield

Forage Yield (lbs/acre 

in Oct. 2009–2011)

5,000

4,500

4,000

3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0 Crane, OR Promontory, Beaver, UT Blue Creek, Nephi, UT Across Loc

 UT UT Mean

Snowstorm Immigrant

Standing Height (inches 

in Oct. 2009–2011)

50

45

40

35

30

25

20

15

10

5

0

Promontory, Beaver, UT Blue Creek, Nephi, UT Crane, OR Across Loc

 UT UT Mean

Snowstorm Immigrant

Forage Yield (lbs per acre 

in Oct. 2009–2011)

5,000

4,500

4,000

3,500

3,000

2,500

2,000

1,500

1,000

500

0

Promontory, Beaver, UT Blue Creek, Nephi, UT Crane, OR Across Loc

 UT UT Mean

Snowstorm Immigrant

Crude Protein (% in Oct. 2009–2011)

12.0

10.0

8.0

6.0

4.0

2.0

0.0

Promontory, Beaver, UT Blue Creek, Nephi, UT Crane, OR Across Loc

 UT UT Mean

* It is recommended that forage kochia utilization not exceed 65% in 

order to ensure that plant nutritional content continues to meet livestock 

needs. Waldron, B., et al. 2006. Stockpiled forage kochia to maintain beef 

cows during winter. Rangeland Ecology and Management 59:275-284.
32

Plant Benefits

• EXCELLENT EARLY SPRING FORAGE

• RAPID SEEDLING ESTABLISHMENT

• INCREASED FORAGE PRODUCTION 

UNDER DROUGHT

To order seed:

Check with local seed companies to determine availability 

or call the Utah Crop Improvement Association (435-797-

2082; stanford.young@usu.edu) to find commercial seed 

growers. Breeder, Foundation, Registered, and Certified 

seed classes are recognized. Foundation seed is available 

through the Utah Crop Improvement Association.

Plant Overview

Meadow brome is a long-lived 

perennial grass that offers 

promise on non-irrigated or 

irrigated pastures. It “greens 

up” 2 to 3 weeks earlier in 

the spring than other pasture 

grasses, increasing the grazing 

season as well as forage production under reduced irrigation. It is adapted to slightly acidic to mildly alkaline soils 

on dryland pastures where annual precipitation exceeds 15 

inches. It is extremely winter hardy (see image below) and 

recovers quickly after grazing. Meadow brome is adapted 

to the mountain brush, aspen, conifer forests, and subalpine environments. It is less dormant under high summer 

temperatures than smooth brome.

Cache meadow bromegrass was released in 2004 by the 

USDA-ARS, Forage and Range Research Laboratory in 

cooperation with the Agricultural Experiment Station, Utah 

State University, Logan, UT. Cache meadow bromegrass 

possesses enhanced seedling establishment and increased 

forage yields on irrigated and semi-irrigated pastures in the 

Intermountain and Northern Great Plains Regions of the 

Western United States.

At different irrigation rates ranging from 0.5 inches to 1.5 

inches per week, Cache produced significantly more forage 

than the cultivar Fleet at all irrigation rates and significantly more forage than the cultivar Regar at the two lowest irrigation rates. In forage trials at Powell, WY, Cache 

produced more forage (5.52 t/ac) than Paddock (4.90), 

Montana (4.71), Regar (4.39), meadow brome and Lincoln 

(5.07), and Big Foot (4.76) smooth bromegrass. Likewise, 

under multiple harvests (6 harvests per year), Cache produced more forage than orchardgrass cultivars Ambassador 

and Latar under irrigation in northern Utah.

Cache 

Meadow Bromegrass 

Bromus riparius

Cache Fleet

Orchard grass Meadow brome

Cache Regar

Water levels (inches/week)***

Fleet

Meadow brome forage production under five 

irrigation levels - Dry-matter yield (2001-2002)

 20

18

16

14

12

10

8

6

4

2

0

1.4 1.2 0.9 0.7 0.4 Mean

Forage production (Mg/ha-1)**

Cache Regar Fleet

Dry-matter forage yield from the Northern 

Plains Area Regional Trials

7,000

6,000

5,000

4,000

3,000

2,000

1,000

0

Blue Creek,

 UT

Green 

Canyon, UT

Mead, 

NE

Mandan,

ND

Sidney,

NE

Mean

(locations)

Miles 

City, MT

Forage production (Kg/ha-1)*

* lbs/Acre = 0.893 x kg/ha ** lbs/Acre = 893 x mg/ha *** 1 inch = 25.4 mm

Irrigated Pasture

Stand Establishment

Winter Kill
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33

environmental conditions. Nevertheless, RoadCrest 

“greens up” in early spring and remains green until midsummer in climates similar to Logan, UT. Like other 

crested wheatgrasses, RoadCrest turf goes and remains 

dormant during the summer until temperatures decline in 

the fall. However, summer dormancy is not as pronounced 

at higher elevations of 5,000 to 7,000 feet.

RoadCrest is recommended for use along roadsides and 

other disturbed sites including mining, wildfire, and 

construction, and in traditional low-maintenance turf settings such as summer cabins and golf course roughs in the 

Northern Plains and Western United States.

Plant Benefits

• DROUGHT TOLERANT

• ENHANCED SEEDLING VIGOR

• MODERATELY RHIZOMATOUS 

SOD-FORMER

• SHORTER STATURED AND FINER 

LEAVED THAN TYPICAL CRESTED 

WHEATGRASSES

• USED FOR ROADSIDES, 

LOW-MAINTENANCE TURF, AND 

SOIL CONSERVATION

To order seed:

RoadCrest was released as a protected variety, and three 

western seed companies are licensed to sell it. Check 

with these companies for seed availability (Utah Seed, 

Tremonton, UT, 435-854-3720; Bruce Seed Farm Inc., 

Townsend, MT, 406-266-3103; and Round Butte Seed 

Growers Inc., Culver, OR, 866-358-7001).

Plant Overview

RoadCrest is an improved cultivar of 

crested wheatgrass that was released 

by the USDA-ARS Forage and Range 

Research Laboratory in cooperation 

with the Agricultural Experiment 

Station, Utah State University, Logan, UT, in 1998. The parental plant 

materials were collected in Turkey, but 

in contrast to typical bunch-type crested wheatgrass, the 

original breeding population displayed varying degrees of 

rhizome development. RoadCrest is named such because 

of its rhizomatous nature, and the ease of establishment 

in harsh environments, which make it a leading choice for 

reducing soil erosion along roadsides and highways in the 

Western United States. RoadCrest was released after three 

cycles of selection for rhizomatous growth habit, short 

stature, and fine leaves under low-maintenance conditions. 

RoadCrest is a long-lived perennial that is significantly 

more rhizomatous than any other crested wheatgrass. 

RoadCrest has finer leaves, produces less biomass, and is 

15 to 25 percent shorter in stature than forage-type crested 

wheatgrass cultivars. Although it is adapted to areas that 

receive from 10 to 20 inches of annual precipitation, seedling diseases may be a problem if precipitation and irrigation exceeds 25 inches.

Germination and seedling vigor compare favorably with 

other crested wheatgrasses, which makes it easier to establish than other low-maintenance turf grasses, including 

Kentucky bluegrass, ‘Sodar’ thickspike wheatgrass, and 

hard fescue.

Turf quality and color are not as good as Kentucky bluegrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass under optimum 

RoadCrest 

Crested Wheatgrass 

Agropyron cristatum

Sod-forming characteristics typical of RoadCrest.

RoadCrest used as low-maintenance turf along highways. 

Turfgrass
34

Nezpar White River Rimrock 

(Replicated Trial Beaver, UT 2008)

Each year, the Forage and Range Research Laboratory conducts numerous trials at sites throughout the Western United 

States to thoroughly evaluate its varieties under production and natural conditions for factors such as yield, persistence, 

forage quality, drought tolerance, and disease resistance. Only the very highest performing germplasm is commercialized 

as a result of stringent trialing of breeding populations. 

Washington Montana North Dakota

South Dakota

Nebraska

New Mexico

Utah

Oregon Idaho

Wyoming

Nevada Colorado

- FRRL Range Evaluation Site
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35

USDA-ARS Forage and Range Research Laboratory

www.ars.usda.gov/npa/logan

Logan, UT

435-797-2249