(Dactylis glomerata)

Orchardgrass is a very robust and drought-tolerant grass. Growth starts early in the spring. Stem formation is almost exclusively at the first cut of spring.

Orchardgrass is very winterhardy after establishment. It is rather aggressive in mixtures with other grasses but we have developed varieties (such as Donata) which combine the ability to produce stemfree grass under dry conditions with less aggressiveness towards other grasses.

Breeding is focused on:

• Good yields in summer and autumn
• Improved digestibility and taste
• Resistance to cold
• Dense and prostrate types suitable for grazing
• Upright types suitable for cutting
• Disease resistance (Puccinia striiformis, Rhynchosporium, mildew and Mastigosporium)

For information on varieties click here.