Orchardgrass Orchardgrass tolerates continuous grazing if the plant is not grazed below 3 to 4 inches. Production and persistence are better under rotational grazing to give the plant three weeks or more between summer grazings for recovery growth. Begin grazing when the plant reaches 4 inches in the spring, and graze the earliest maturing varieties first. Reed canarygrass Reed canarygrass can tolerate continuous grazing, but yields are higher under a rotational system that gives three weeks or more of recovery between summer grazings. The growth potential of reed canarygrass pastures justifies moderate fertilizer rates.
Harvesting pastures for hay or silage is feasible.
New low-alkaloid varieties are more palatable for grazing animals. The pasture quality and palatability of smooth bromegrass are good, and it is readily accepted by cattle, sheep, and horses. Bromegrasses tolerate moderate continuous grazing but produce more pasturage under a rotational scheme that allows three or more weeks of recovery. Moderate fertility rates are recommended for bromegrass, and excellent hay or silage can be produced from pastures in surplus growth periods. Grazing can be started in spring at 3 to 4 inches of spring growth, but grazing when the flower stems are elongating can cause reductions in the stand.