Min. to Max. Annual Precipitation
44in.
Average Max. Height
Haymaster Orchardgrass is a late maturity orchardgrass with excellent yield potential. Can be used for hay, silage, pasture, and is ideal for alfalfa or clover mixes. Has excellent disease resistance, high yield potential, great forage quality, and quick recovery after cutting. Rotational grazing is preferred for best production, persistence and quality.
- Late maturity
- Ideal for alfalfa or clover mixes
- Superior yield
- Improved stand persistence
- High palatability
- Excellent seedling and plant vigor
- Stem Rust resistance
- Quick recovery after cutting
Haymaster Orchardgrass is a new, late maturing (approximately 5 days later than Pennlate) orchardgrass with excellent yield potential. Haymaster can be used for hay, silage and pasture and is ideal for alfalfa or clover mixes. Haymaster Orchardgrass has excellent disease resistance, high yield potential, great forage quality, quick recovery after cutting and drought tolerance makes it the premier orchardgrass.
Management Suggestions
Fertilizer (pure stand): Fertilize according to soil test recommendations, but in general, nitrogen should be applied in split
applications during early spring and 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.
Performance Data – Forage Yield
Summarized over years and locations
(Total tons dry matter / acre)
| Entry | Loc./Yrs. | %Mean |
| Haymaster | 25 | 100.4 |
| Pennlate | 23 | 99.2 |
| Potomac | 23 | 98.4 |
| Pizza | 13 | 97.7 |
| Satin | 7 | 94.1 |
| Kay | 13 | 92.4 |
Performance Data – Forage Quality
| Entry | No. of Cuts | %CP | %Mean | RFV | Mean |
| Haymaster | 8 | 15.4 | 104 | 100 | 105 |
| Pennlate | 8 | 14.9 | 100 | 95 | 100 |
| 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. |