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2025 Spring-Seeded Annual Cool-Season Grasses

In spring 2025, a cereals trial designed to evaluate forage production potential was established at Rock Springs.

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Updated:

September 12, 2025

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Forage variety trials at Rock Springs

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Planting occurred on April 24, and each variety was harvested at the early- to mid-boot stage.

Our soil fertility program is based on phosphorus and potassium maintenance applications to meet soil test recommendations. Plots received 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre at the seedling stage. For annual ryegrass, plots received an additional 50 pounds of nitrogen per acre following each cutting. There were two cuttings for annual ryegrass this year. For specific recommendations on establishment, fertilization, and other management practices, please refer to the current Penn State Agronomy Guide.

Table 1 lists the spring-planted cereal and annual ryegrass forage varieties included in our testing program that are currently marketed in Pennsylvania or may be available in the near future (availability should be confirmed with suppliers). Table 2 provides guidelines for assessing the production potential of these cereal and annual ryegrass varieties suitable for forage production.

**Table 1. Spring-Planted Small Cereal Varieties Marketed in Pennsylvania and Listed in This Report.**
Species/Variety	Marketer	Appears in Table No.
Annual Ryegrass
Barnaël	Barenbrug USA	2
Force	Ampac Seed Co.	2
BAR LM490-3	Barenbrug USA	2
BAR LM490-4	Barenbrug USA	2
BGS	Ampac Seed Co.	2
Ribeye	Barenbrug USA	2
Oats
BCO2501	Seed-Link Inc.	2
BCO2502	Seed-Link Inc.	2
BCO2503	Seed-Link Inc.	2
BCO2504	Seed-Link Inc.	2
BCO2505	Seed-Link Inc.	2
Spring Triticale
2021u03	Oregon Trail Seeds	2
KWT13053	Oregon Trail Seeds	2

Annual Cool-Season Grasses Marketers Listed in This Report:

AMPAC Seed Co.

32727 OR-99E,
Tangent, OR 97389
Phone: 541-928-1651

Barenbrug USA

33477 OR-99E
Tangent, OR 97389
Phone: 541-926-5801

Oregon Trail Seeds

65268 Striker Ln.
Imbler, OR 97841
Phone: 541-898-7333

Seed-Link Inc

208 St. David Street
Lindsay, Ontario, K9V 4Z4, CANADA
Phone:705-324-0544

**Table 2. 2025 Spring-Seeded Small Cereal and Annual Ryegrass Variety Trial.**
Species/Varieties	Yield	CP§	ADF§	aNDF§	30-hr NDFD§	TTNDFD§	Stand 2025(%)
Annual Ryegrass
BAR LM490-3	3.46	19.99	29.24	44.06	61.27	60.00	100
Ribeye	3.28	16.52	32.02	53.04	56.23	50.75	100
BAR LM490-4	3.26	19.02	29.99	46.93	60.23	57.20	100
Force	3.05	20.72	29.63	44.09	63.37	62.21	100
Barnaël	2.96	19.43	28.75	44.13	62.27	62.30	100
BGS	2.93	20.32	31.91	45.73	60.36	60.19	100

Grand Mean	3.16	19.33	30.26	46.33	60.62	58.77
CV (%)	7.03
LSD (p = .05)	0.33
Oats
BCO2503	2.50	13.70	35.22	57.36	52.74	46.13	100
BCO2501	2.46	14.91	33.88	53.25	55.25	53.77	100
BCO2505	2.38	14.06	36.21	59.37	53.13	45.63	100
BCO2504	2.21	15.56	32.63	53.63	57.89	54.25	100
BCO2502	1.92	16.02	33.03	52.89	57.97	53.32	100

Grand Mean	2.29	14.85	34.19	55.30	55.39	50.62	100
CV (%)	10.87
LSD (p = .05)	0.38
Spring Triticale
2021u03	2.07	17.55	32.32	54.74	55.59	50.14	100
KWT13053	1.93	17.04	33.25	56.27	55.20	49.92	100

Grand Mean	2.00	17.29	32.79	55.50	55.40	50.03	100
CV (%)	11.42
LSD (p = .05)	0.59

§ Forage quality analysis for the first cut samples:
CP = crude protein.
ADF = acid detergent fiber.
aNDF = neutral detergent fiber after starch amylase digestion.
30-hr NDFD = 30-hour neutral detergent fiber digestibility.
TTNDFD = total tract NDFD.
CV = coefficient of variation.
LSD = least significant difference.

All species were seeded on April 24, 2025.

Yields are given in tons per acre on a dry matter basis, there were 2 cuttings in annual ryegrass.

Agenda