However, seedling vigor of reed canarygrass is not as good as other commonly used forage grasses. Prior to 1985, common reed canarygrass had been described as being less palatable than most other grass species seeded for hay and pasture. Cattle produced well on the grass only if it was grazed when it was between 6 and 24 inches tall. The most recent developments in reed canarygrass breeding have been the release of several varieties low in indole alkaloid concentration. This dramatically improves palatability and animal performance.
Alkaloids are bitter, complex, nitrogen containing compounds.
In grazing trials, lambs and steers gained more weight and sheep had less diarrhea on low alkaloid varieties than on common reed canarygrass. Hay should be harvested between heading and early bloom because quality declines with maturity. Trials were established in pure stands in 1989 at Morris and Rosemount. Trials were also established in 1993 at Morris, Grand Rapids and Rosemount, and these trials were harvested twice at Grand Rapids and Rosemount in 1994, and three times at Morris. In 1995 and 1996, the trials were harvested three times per year.