Maximizing Fall and Winter Grazing of Beef Cows and Stocker Cattle

Bulletin 872-98

Orchardgrass

Orchardgrass growth can be "stockpiled" in the field for winter grazing as well.

1. Graze the orchardgrass during late April and early May.

2. Remove cattle by late April (southern Ohio) to mid-May (northern Ohio). Harvest the hay by mid-June.

3. Take a second harvest, either as hay or pasture, during mid summer, when possible.

4. Stockpile the grass with the same recommendations as fescue.

5. Begin grazing in early October but complete grazing by December (December 1, northern Ohio; December 31, southern Ohio).

6. do not graze orchardgrass lower than two to three inches. Orchardgrass stores energy in the lower part of the stems and not the roots. Removing the lower part of the stems will kill the plants.