Comparative Characteristics of Forage Species in Montana

Do you want to improve your pasture, provide erosion control, or improve soil stability? Can't decide which forage species would best meet your needs?

You've come to the right place. The following information compares characteristics on various forage species - to help you determine which species are best suited for your location and intended use.

Forage Grasses - grasses recommended for forage and many other useful purposes. Table 1 - Growth Characteristics | Optimum Season | Ease of Establishment | Shade tolerance | Winter hardiness Table 2 - Regrowth ability | Tolerance to water table | Tolerance to spring flooding Table 3 - Fertility Requirement and Response | Relative Life of Stand | Drought Tolerance Table 4 - pH Tolerance | Salt Tolerance | Moisture Range | Response to Irrigation Table 5 - Soil Texture Adaptation Table 6 - Tendency to Produce Bloat | Winter Protein | Palatability for Cattle Table 7 - Palatability for Deer, Elk, Antelope | Compatibility With Grazing Cattle | Tolerance to Close Grazing Table 8 - Production | Soil Protection and Cover Top

Special Purpose Grasses - grasses recommended for special purposes such as soil stabilization, erosion control, etc. Table 1 - Growth Characteristics | Optimum Season |Ease of Establishment | Shade tolerance | Winter hardiness Table 2 - Regrowth ability | Tolerance to water table | Tolerance to spring flooding Table 3 - Fertility Requirement and Response | Relative Life of Stand | Drought Tolerance Table 4 - pH Tolerance | Salt Tolerance | Moisture Range | Response to Irrigation Table 5 - Soil Texture Adaptation Table 6 - Tendency to Produce Bloat | Winter Protein | Palatability for Cattle Table 7 - Palatability for Deer, Elk, Antelope | Compatibility With Grazing Cattle | Tolerance to Close Grazing Table 8 - Production | Soil Protection and Cover Top

Native Grasses and Other Species Table 1 - Growth Characteristics | Optimum Season | Ease of Establishment | Shade tolerance | Winter hardiness Table 2 - Regrowth ability | Tolerance to water table | Tolerance to spring flooding Table 3 - Fertility Requirement and Response | Relative Life of Stand | Drought Tolerance Table 4 - pH Tolerance | Salt Tolerance | Moisture Range | Response to Irrigation Table 5 - Soil Texture Adaptation Table 6 - Tendency to Produce Bloat | Winter Protein | Palatability for Cattle Table 7 - Palatability for Deer, Elk, Antelope | Compatibility With Grazing Cattle | Tolerance to Close Grazing Table 8 - Production | Soil Protection and Cover Top

Legumes - Species recommended for plantings for forage.  Many are also useful for other purposes. Table 1 - Growth Characteristics | Optimum Season | Ease of Establishment | Shade tolerance | Winter hardiness Table 2 - Regrowth ability | Tolerance to water table | Tolerance to spring flooding Table 3 - Fertility Requirement and Response | Relative Life of Stand | Drought Tolerance Table 4 - pH Tolerance | Salt Tolerance | Moisture Range | Response to Irrigation Table 5 - Soil Texture Adaptation Table 6 - Tendency to Produce Bloat | Winter Protein | Palatability for Cattle Table 7 - Palatability for Deer, Elk, Antelope | Compatibility With Grazing Cattle | Tolerance to Close Grazing Table 8 - Production | Soil Protection and Cover Top

Browse & Shrubs Growth Characteristics | Optimum Season | Ease of Establishment | Shade tolerance | Winter hardiness Regrowth ability | Tolerance to water table | Tolerance to spring flooding Fertility Requirement and Response | Relative Life of Stand | Drought Tolerance pH Tolerance | Salt Tolerance | Moisture Range | Response to Irrigation  Soil Texture Adaptation Tendency to Produce Bloat | Winter Protein | Palatability for Cattle Palatability for Deer, Elk, Antelope | Compatibility With Grazing Cattle | Tolerance to Close Grazing Production | Soil Protection and Cover Top

Data in the tables are derived from research as well as observation.  Thus, for items for which little or no research data are available, the rating represents the combined evaluation of many trained and experienced people. 

From Montana Interagency Plant Materials Handbook *
By S. Smoliak, R.L. Ditterline, J.D. Scheetz, L.K. Holzworth, J.R. Sims, L.E. Wiesner, D.E. Baldridge, and G.L. Tibke
 The Montana Interagency Plant Materials Handbook (EB69) is no longer in print, but is available for viewing in
Montana County Extension Service and National Resource Conservation Service Offices.

Return to regular view	Text-only	Updated: 08/29/2006