Benchmark Plus Orchardgrass
- Superior Forage Yield
- Ideal for Pastures or Hay
- Early Maturity
- Great Palatability
- Selected for Persistence Under Heavy Grazing
- Excellent Plant Vigor
- Drought Tolerant
- Stem Rust Resistance
- Maximum Persistence for Haying or Grazing
- Minimum order quantity of 20 pounds
Min. to Max. Annual Precipitation
44in.
Average Max. Height
Benchmark Plus Orchardgrass is an early maturing grass that is drought tolerant with great palatability. It has a superior forage yield that is ideal for pasture or haying, and is selected for persistence under heavy grazing. Rotational grazing is preferred for best quality production. First cutting in spring should be done before head emergence (Boot Stage).
Benchmark Plus Orchardgrass (Dactylis glomerata) is a high performance forage orchargrass that offers maximum persistence under grazing pressure. It is also an excellent choice for inclusion in a forage grass mixture.
Nitrogen should be applied in split applications during early Spring & Fall and after 1st cutting. Adequate phosphorus and potassium are also necessary for top production. First cutting in Spring should be done before head emergence (Boot Stage). Later cuttings can be made at 4-6 week intervals depending on conditions.
Rotational grazing is preferred for best production, persistence and quality. Fields should be grazed heavily and frequently (every 10-12 days) during the rapid Spring growth period but overgrazing should be avoided. Leave a 3-4 inch stubble for quick recovery.
- Superior Forage Yield
- Ideal for Pastures or Hay
- Early Maturity
- Great Palatability
- Selected for Persistence Under Heavy Grazing
- Excellent Plant Vigor
- Drought Tolerant
- Stem Rust Resistance
- Maximum Persistence for Haying or Grazing
| PLANTING SUGGESTIONS for Benchmark Plus Orchardgrass | |
| Planting Rate (pure stand) | 15-20 lbs/acre |
| Planting Rate (mixture) | 4-6 lbs/acre |
| Planting Depth | 1/4-1/2 inch deep |
| Seeding (Spring) | March 1st to May 15th |
| Seeding (Summer) | August 1st to September 15th |
| Soil Type | Moderate to Well Drained |
| Minimum Soil pH | 5.5 |
| ORCHARD YIELD COMPARISONS | ||
| Summarized over Years and Locations (Total Tons Dry Matter / Acre) | ||
| Entry | Loc./Yrs. | %Mean |
| Benchmark Plus | 17 | 100.1 |
| Potomac | 17 | 97.1 |
| Pennlate | 17 | 96.9 |
| Progress | 10 | 96.6 |
| Duke | 15 | 95.2 |
| Variety | Maturity | Notes: |
|---|---|---|
| Paiute | Early | Drought tolerant. Common in dryland pastures, reclamation, erosion control. |
| Hallmark | Early | High Yielding |
| Benchmark Plus | Early | Persists under heavy use, superior forage. Superior for grazing. |
| Potomac | Early-Mid | Excellent early variety. |
| Quickdraw | Early-Mid | Fast recover after cutting. Tolerates heat. |
| Pawnee Orchardgrass | Mid | Widely adapted, drought and grazing tolerant. |
| Crown Royal | Mid-Late | Fast recovery after cutting, tolerates heat. |
| Extend | Mid-Late | Ideal for alfalfa & clover mixes. Superior yield. |
| Blizzard | Late | Superior winter survival. Widely adapted, excellent forage yield. |
| Latar | Late | No longer available. See Extend, Quickdraw, Blizzard |
Benchmark Plus Orchardgrass, Dactylis glomerata
*** Click on the “Quick Plant Facts” tab above for more information.
ORCHARDGRASS
(Dactylis glomerata)
Orchardgrass NRCS Plant Guide and Fact Sheet
Orchardgrass NRCS Plant Guide and Fact Sheet
PDF version of NRCS Plant Guide & Fact Sheet
Prepared By: Tony Bush USDA NRCS Rose Lake PMC East Lansing, Michigan
Dan Ogle USDA NRCS Idaho State Office Boise, Idaho
Loren St. John USDA NRCS Aberdeen PMC Aberdeen, Idaho
Mark Stannard USDA NRCS Pullman PMC Pullman, Washington
Dr. Kevin B. Jensen USDA ARS Forage and Range Research Laboratory, Utah State University, Logan, Utah
Species Coordinator: Mark Stannard USDA NRCS Pullman Plant Materials Center
Pullman, Washington
ORCHARDGRASS
(Dactylis glomerata)
Orchardgrass Variety Trial 2005
Orchardgrass Variety Trial 2005
Research in the Klamath Basin
Prepared By: Richard J. Roseberg and Jim E. Smith
ORCHARDGRASS
(Dactylis glomerata)
Orchardgrass Hay Production Guide for the Columbia Basin of Washington
Orchardgrass Hay Production Guide for the Columbia Basin of Washington
Prepared By: John L Kugler, WSU Grant/Adams County Extension
ORCHARDGRASS
(Dactylis glomerata)
Orchardgrass NRCS Plant Materials Technical Note
Orchardgrass NRCS Plant Materials Technical Note
An introduced Conservation Grass for Use in Montana and Wyoming
Prepared By: Roger M. Hybner, Research Agronomist, NRCS, Plant Materials Center, Bridger, Montana
Susan Winslow, Agronomist, NRCS, Plant Materials Center, Bridger, Montana
Helpful Links
Additional information about this product can be found on the academic websites linked below.
Synonyms
Many plants have more than one common and scientific name. We've listed a few of them below.
- Benchmark Plus Orchardgrass
- Dactylis glomerata
Who is Great Basin Seed?
Great Basin Seed is a seed company that specializes in seed sales and consultation for home, ranch, farm, range and reclamation. We have been a leader in the seed industry since 1974.
Our History
We've been in the seed business since 1974.
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Right: Company founder Lloyd and his wife Paula Stevens in a wildflower seed production field circa 1977
Quick Plant Facts
| Common Name: | Benchmark Plus Orchardgrass |
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| Sun & Shade Tolerance: | Full Sun |
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