Explore Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants
Ask Mr. Smarty Plants is a free service provided by the staff and volunteers at the Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center.
Can't find the answer in our existing FAQs, submit a question to Mr. Smarty Plants.
Need help with plant identification, visit the plant identification page.
rate this answer
Monday - September 03, 2012
From: Dale, TX
Region: Southwest
Topic: Grasses or Grass-like
Title: Yard grass that cows like to eat in Dale, TX
Answered by: Nan Hampton
QUESTION:
I need to know of a good grass seed to plant in the yard that will also be eaten by our cows. Prefer one that doesn't have any type of stickers/cocker burrs.ANSWER:
The very best grass I can recommend that will serve as a turf grass and feed for cattle is Bouteloua dactyloides (Buffalograss) [synonym=Buchloe dactyloides]. It grows to a maximum of 12 inches if it isn't mowed and, as a turf grass, requires mowing only a couple of times a year. If your cows are going to be eating it, it won't ever require mowing. Additionally, it is very drought tolerant. We have a How-to Article, Native Lawns: Buffalograss, that gives you information on how to establish buffalograss as a lawn. Native American Seeds in Junction (one of our Associates) has a seed mix, Native Sun Turfgrass, that includes 80% buffalograss and 20% Bouteloua gracilis (Blue grama), another short grass (3 to 6 inches) or you can buy buffalograss alone. Both buffalograss and blue grama are highly nutritious and recommended for cattle feed. Here is more information about buffalograss and blue grama from the USDA.
There are several taller native grasses that are also recommended for cattle. Here is an article from the Missouri Department of Conservation and the Missouri Department of Agriculture, Native Plants for Your Farm, that lists several species that are recommended for pastures. These all are found in or adjacent to Caldwell County and none of them have stickers or burrs.
Andropogon gerardii (Big bluestem) grows 4 to 8 feet.
Elymus canadensis (Canada wild rye) reaches 2 to 4 feet.
Elymus virginicus (Virginia wildrye) reaches 2 to 4 feet.
Tripsacum dactyloides (Eastern gamagrass) grows 2 to 10 feet.
Sorghastrum nutans (Indiangrass) grows 3 to 8 feet.
Schizachyrium scoparium (Little bluestem) reaches 3 feet.
Bouteloua curtipendula (Sideoats grama) grows 2 to 3 feet.
You might consider using a combination of some or all of these grasses for your pasture/yard.
From the Image Gallery
More Grasses or Grass-like Questions
Native grasses for shady yard in Austin
September 04, 2011 - I was looking at your research on native grasses to be used in a yard. I want to plant your native mix of seeds, but worry that there is too much shade in my yard. I live in central Austin and wante...
view the full question and answer
Grasses for Austin
October 14, 2010 - For Southwest Austin in October, what is the best grass to to plant at this time of year? Three quarters of the property is in Bermuda but the back quarter-acre is weeds. We are having it excavated ...
view the full question and answer
Protecting plants from birds near bird feeder
April 24, 2009 - I am happy to have several cardinal pairs living in my yard, but I need to discourage them from eating & destroying my purple heart planted under the huge cedar that holds my bird feeders. The cardina...
view the full question and answer
Landscape color for Rialto, CA
May 11, 2009 - My sister-in-law lives in Rialto CA near the base of the San Bernardino Mt ranges and it gets very windy out there. She and I were trying to figure out the best native plants for her area. Her home fa...
view the full question and answer
Wildflower meadow on former cattle pasture in North Carolina
May 17, 2005 - We have purchased approximately 7 acres of land in North Carolina. A neighbor has been using the land for grazing his cows, but I hope to plant it with wildflowers once we've built a small house. W...
view the full question and answer
 |
Support the Wildflower Center by Donating Online or Becoming a Member today. Mr. Smarty Plants wants you to be his Facebook friend. Click the Facebook icon to add yourself to Mr. Smarty Plants list of friends. |
