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 5 pounds
Quantity is per pound. Example: 1 = 1 lb, 2 = 2 lbs, 3 = 3lbs, etc. This is pure seed, not a live plant.
Min. to Max. Annual Precipitation
44in.
Average Max. Height
Description coming soon.
For Maximum Persistence Under Grazing
- 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
Management Suggestions
Fertilizer (pure stand) – 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.
Cutting Schedule
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.
Grazing
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.
| PLANTING SUGGESTIONS | |
| 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. |
| Extend | Mid | Ideal for alfalfa & clover mixes. Superior yield. |
| Blizzard | Mid-Late | Superior winter survival. Widely adapted, excellent forage yield. |
| Crown Royal | Late | Fast recovery after cutting, tolerates heat. |
| Latar | Late | No longer available. See Extend, Haymaster, Quickdraw |
| Haymaster | Late | Ideal for Alfalfa and Clover Mixes. Highly palatable, fast recovery. |
| Pawnee Orchardgrass | Medium | Widely adapted, drought and grazing tolerant. |
