Selecting Grass Varieties

The number one criterion to apply when selecting grass varieties is to buy certified seed. There is no such thing as bargain seed. Using certified seed of recommended varieties assures a higher quality product that has good germination, is free of noxious weed seeds and is adapted to your particular area. Using Canada No. 1 Common Seed does not guarantee the quality factors associated with certified seed of a Manitoba recommended variety.

Millions of Acres

Year

Tame Hay

Improved Pasture

Total

1986

1.435

.680

2.115

1991

1.725

.843

2.568

1992

1.950

.990

2.940

1996

1.850

.880

2.730

Each Variety Must Earn its Recommendation

Each year, a publication entitled "Seed Manitoba -- Variety Recommendations and Growers Directory" is published and distributed by the Manitoba Cooperator in Conjunction with the Manitoba Seed Growers Association and Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives. Listed in that publication are forage grasses and legumes recommended for Manitoba.

Making it to the list is not a matter of chance. Stringent evaluation of each forage variety takes place before being considered for recommendation.

The evaluation program is operated by the Manitoba Forage Seed Association with funding from Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives and the forage industry. Management of the testing program is a cooperative "industry" approach. Producers, seed trade representatives, extension personnel and researchers are involved with the forage testing management committee.

Testing is coordinated at three main sites - Arborg, Neepawa and Steinbach. The program provides information to Manitoba forage and forage seed producers and industry partners on performance of forage cultivars under Manitoba conditions.

The program measures dry matter yields under a three cut system over three production years. New varieties put to the test each year are compared to a standard. If all criteria taken into account are equal to or better than the standard in 66 per cent of the tests, then the variety is eligible to be placed on the recommendation list.

Detailed trial results are published by the Manitoba Forage Seed Association including information on forage production and seed production. These reports are available from Agricultural Representatives and Regional Crops or Grassland Specialists, or the Manitoba Forage Seed Association. Grass Adaptation Guide Many varieties of grasses are suitable for Manitoba. When choosing a grass variety, consider each variety and its characteristics as they relate to your particular needs.

Grass Adaptation Guide

Many varieties of grasses are suitable for Manitoba. When choosing a grass variety, consider each variety and its characteristics as they relate to your particular needs.

CROP

ADAPTATION
Plant Type Longevity  Under Average Manitoba Conditions Winter Hardiness Flooding Tolerance Drought Tolerance Salinity Tolerance Preferred Climate and Soil Type
Kentucky Bluegrass Creeping sod-forming Long Excellent Medium Good when plant is dormant Poor

Cool, humid,  20-50 in. (500-l250 mm ) precipitation. Will grow on almost any well-drained soil.

Smooth Bromegrass Creeping sod-forming Long Excellent Medium Good when plant is dormant Fair Moist, well-drained soils.
Creeping Red Fescue Creeping Long Excellent Medium Fair to Good Poor Cool, humid areas. Will grow in wide range of soil types.
Meadow Fescue Bunch Medium Good High Good Fair Soils with ample moisture and good drainage.
Orchardgrass Bunch Short Fair (unless protected) Low Fair Poor Warm, moist areas with over 20 in.(500 mm ) precipitation. Good drainage.
Reed Canarygrass Creeping (short rhizomes) Long Good except where exposed High Fair Fair Moist, cool climate; poorly drained areas subject to temporary flooding.
Timothy Bunch Medium Good High Poor Poor Cool, moist areas with good drainage.
Crested Wheatgrass Bunch Long Excellent Low Good Fair Light soils and areas deficient in moisture. Can be grown on most soils if they do not have high water table.
Slender Wheatgrass Bunch Short (4-5 years) Excellent High Good Good Adapted to saline and imperfectly drained alkali soils. Prefers soils with high water table. Survives flooding for 2 months in spring. Needs 15 in. (375 mm) minimum precipitation.
Intermediate Wheatgrass Creeping (short rhizomes) Short (about 6 years) Excellent Medium Good Poor Can be grown on a wide range of soils but is most productive on fertile loams.
Tall Wheatgrass Bunch (short root-stocks) Long Excellent High Poor Good Cool, moist areas on well-drained soils.
Russian Wild Ryegrass Bunch basal leaves Long Excellent Low Good Fair  
Meadow Bromegrass Bunch basal leaves Unknown at present Good Low Good Poor