Orchard Grass

[plinker22]

On a piece of land I hunt, the farmer has a 4 acre Alfalfa field. This field is the "draw" for deer.

A couple of days ago, the farmer informed me that this Fall he was going to kill the alfalfa and re-plant it with orchard grass.

I was very bummed! But, now I have done some research and am getting conflicting results. Some say deer utilize orchard grass very well, others not so good.

Can I get some opinions (or personal experience) here. FWIW, he is planting this field to mow for hay. He is a Horse Farmer!

Thanks guys!

 

[BSK]

I would put any grass as VERY low on the deer preference list.

 

[plinker22]

I would put any grass as VERY low on the deer preference list.

Bummer! Thanks for the info BSK. At least Browtines will be happy! (inside joke)

Browtines
Plinker22

 

[hard county]

Rank it along side rye grass or timothy grass. If the deer are very hungry theyll eat it if not they wont. As alfalfa is one of the most platable things we know of for deer, the fact that the stand was not grazed out of existence tells me that the orchard grass will see little use.

 

[NBF7240]

ive read information that orchard grass is not good for fetus development

 

[Anonymous]

That farmer has to "go". Why on earth would he want to do that even for livestock? The highest protein grossing hay I've ever dealt with was alfalfa hay. Horse owners spend a fortune on alfalfa cubes, etc. for the things.

 

[plinker22]

On a different piece of land, about a month ago, I planted Winter Oats and Winter Wheat. It now is a beautiful "grass patch".

What is the difference? Why do we plant Winter Oats and Wheat for the deer? Help me understand?

Thanks again!

 

[Anonymous]

higher nutritional value, better tasting, etc. Same reason you hunt certain types of oaks above others.

 

[Football Hunter]

what they said

 

[BSK]

On a different piece of land, about a month ago, I planted Winter Oats and Winter Wheat. It now is a beautiful "grass patch".

What is the difference? Why do we plant Winter Oats and Wheat for the deer? Help me understand?

Thanks again!

Cereal grains are not true grasses (although they look like them). Deer will heavily utilize cereal grains but not true grasses. Their digestive system is not designed to digest grass.

 

[dirtturner]

Orchard grass is 'supposedly' good for nesting birds...according to Them in the Know. That was suggested to me by TWRA for a 'cover crop' that would be kind to quail. Deer love to walk through it...thata's about it.

 

[Quailman]

Orchard grass is 'supposedly' good for nesting birds...according to Them in the Know.

Orchard grass is not good for nesting birds, especially quail. Like other cool season non-natives, orchard grass is a sod forming grass that becomes entirely too thick for small game species like quail (and turkey poults). Will they use it? Yes, if it's the only cover available.

A much better alternative is native grasses. They are "bunch-type" grasses that provide quality nesting and brood-rearing cover. They are also fantastic as fawning and bedding cover for deer.

Please do not use orchard grass if you are managing for wildlife. An extensive amount of research has been conducted in Tennessee that shows that non-natives provide poor quality habitat.

 

[plinker22]

Thanks for all the responses fellows.

The farmer has now decided to drill the orchard grass into the alfalfa field without killing the alfalfa.

Makes me happy!