ALFALFA
Older alfalfa varieties (noted for their durability and standibility)
Vernal: Vernal is very winter hardy, and dairymen like it for its fine stem quality. Developed in 1953, it has been used mostly for hay production. It produces high yields even on fields where root rot is a problem, and it resists stem nematode problems common to lighter soils. It has very fast recovery and very good frequent cutting tolerance. 15-20 lbs. per acre.
Wrangler: Wrangler has a forage quality similar to Vernal, but a better disease package. It can be grown in areas with a high water table as it has a high resistance to root rot. It resists multiple pests, including the spotted alfalfa aphid. It is fine stemmed and leafy making it very high quality for forage. Wrangler is an excellent long term choice.
Vernema: Vernema is winter hardy. It has been bred for quality forage production, and shows excellence in both forage yields and disease resistance. It also resists multiple pests. It gives a generous leaf to stem ratio which creates nicer palatibility and better protein content. A stem nematode resistant variety, suitable for all northern production. As with any alfalfa, seed bed preparation is important. Plant seed shallow; 1/4"-1/2" on a firm soil bed. 15-20 lbs. per acre will assure a solid stand to crowd annual weeds.
Drought tolerant alfalfa varieties
Nomad: Nomad is a true rangeland alfalfa often planted with wheatgrass. It was developed to fill the need for a perennial legume that is winter hardy. It is drought resistant, and holds its own with grass and weeds. It can survive and recover from rodent damage, and persists under tough grazing conditions typical of western rangelands; all while responding to adequate moisture with an acceptable hay yield. Spring planting is preferred in areas with cold winters and limited early fall moisture and where there is time to allow 40-60 days growth before winter dormancy. In general, Nomad should be highly useful on rangeland to increase forage production.
Ladak: Ladak is a summer dormant variety used in non-irrigated areas with sufficient spring moisture for early hay cuttings.
Ranger: Ranger is a variety for rough ground, poor soils and little moisture.
Perry: Perry is derived from Ranger, but more productive and alfalfa weevil resistant. It is winter hardy, and stands are generally long-lived and persistent. Perry has multiple pest resistance: pea aphid, alfalfa weevil, potato leafhopper, and spotted aphid. It is also resistant to anthracnose, bacterial wilt, and downy mildew. It can be used for hay prodcution and in rotationally grazed pastures.
Western Favorites
Surpass: a high-yielding, multi-pest and disease resistant variety. One of our best performers. It has a rich, dark-green color, and has moderate resistance to leaf hopper yellowing. Surpass can be used for hay, haylage, greenchop, or dehy production. It improves with age, and has top winter hardiness.
Treasure Valley Blend: a 3 variety blend (Perry, Vernema, Surpass) which has become a local and Northwest favorite.
Premium Varieties
Rustler II: major pest/disease resistance including 2 nematodes. Fine stem, quick recovery at an excellent rate.

Annual Ryegrass: variety with quick germ and fast growth to retard weed growth initially in grass mixes or used as an annual cover. Used as an inexpensive lawn seed in southern climates.
Perennial Ryegrass: tetraploids for aggressive growth in pastures. Also used for thinning alfalfa stands.
Latar Orchardgrass: a hardy, later-maturing variety noted for low fiber content, high digestibility, feed value, rapid recovery, most compatible for maturity with legumes. Plant in alternate rows with alfalfa at 3# per acre. Close grazing in fall is associated with winterkill. In first prodcution year, 1st crop should be cut for hay.
Pennlate Orchardgrass: Virtually identical to Latar.
Potomac Orchardgrass: A hardy, persistent, early maturing, rust resistant variety. 28-50" tall. 6-8 lbs. per acre.
Profile Orchardgrass: A newer developed variety with excellent drought tolerance.
Paiute Orchardgrass: A shade tolerant bunchgrass with basal leaves and upright stems. Greens earlier than wheatgrass and remains green longer. Do not use in areas with high water table of saline soils. Does not spread. 11" rainfall minimum. Shade tolerant. More palatable, and stays green longer than crested. 3-4 lbs. per acre. 1/2" deep. Do not graze until fall of 2nd growing season.
Fawn Tall Fescue: A long-lived, deep and strong rooted, cool-season, perennial grass used for forage, turf, hay, silage, and soil stabilization. 15" minimum moisture, but will stand dryness and wetness when established. Graze or clip frequently so it doesn't become coarse or stemmy.
Johnstone Fescue: A tall fescue/perennial ryegrass cross. Durability of tall fescue, but finer stemmed- so better palatability. Endo-free.
Smooth Bromegrass: A deep-rooted, rhizome spreading, semi-drought tolerant grass used in a variety of soils, including poorly-drained soils. 18-36" tall, 18+ in. rainfall. 4-6 lbs. in mixes, 15-20 lbs per acre standalone.
Meadow Bromegrass: More aggressive growth than smooth bromegrass, but not a long-lived variety.
Timothy: A highly productive and palatable hay or pasture grass. Shallow rooted bunchgrass, very winter hardy. Used in legume mixtures. Shoots are biennial, but base is perennial. Use with clover, alfalfa, or birdsfoot trefoil. Yield with brome and orchard in pure stands. 8-10 lbs. per acre. Up to 4' tall. Reaches early bloom at same time as red clover.
Canarygrass: A heavy forage producer in poorly draining or wet soils. Does best when seeded alone, because of its shading effect. Early spring growth. Early pasturing will reduce coarsenss for later hay cut. Can grow up to 8' tall in clumps up to 3' across. 10-12 lbs. per acre. Will withstand drought on upland soils provided winter snow cover.
Foxtail; creeping: a sod-forming grass for wet soils with extensive root system. Recommended for same soils as canarygrass, but will not stand as much flooding. 3-6' high. Seed heads similar to Timothy. Nutritious and palatable. Difficult to plant seedbed to be firm and moist.

Kentucky Bluegrass: a common turf grass in northern climates.
Durham Kentucky Bluegrass: a newer improved variety with lots of pest and disease resistance.
Pinnacle II Perennial Ryegrass: a fast-growing variety, often used on athletic fields.
Barlexus: a turf fescue used for its durability and drought tolerance.
Bentgrass: a very fine grass which allows for close mowing. Mainly used for golfing greens.
Creeping Red Fescue: a narrow bladed grass for shady areas under trees- also used in orchards because of this feature.
Buffalo Grass: a warm season, low-growing, low-maintenance grass.
Lawn Mix: a 50/50 mix based on seed count of Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass
Choice Turf Mix: a 50/50 mix based on seed count of  Durham Kentucky Bluegrass and Perennial Ryegrass.

Nordan Crested Wheatgrass: Nordan was originally intended for use in pasture and range plantings. It is a very drought tolerant, cool-season grass that begins growth in early spring. It does not tolerate salty soils or prolonged flooding. Use Nordan for soil stabilization. It has good seed production. The seed is usually heavy and awnless. Seed production fields will generally be productive for about 5 years. Seed yields usually average 800 lbs. per acre under irrigation, and 200 lbs. per acre under dryland production. Deep seeding is the most common cause of stand failure. Plant at the depth of 1/2 in. or less on medium to fine-textured soils and 1 inch or less on coarse textured soils. Nordan averages 175,000 seeds/lb. Planting rate is 6-7 lbs. per acre for pasture and hayland plantings.
Fairway Crested Wheatgrass: Introduced from Russa in 1898, this wheatgrass is a very hardy, long-lived perennial. It is a finer-stemmed, leafier, lower-growing grass and is more uniform in growth form than the standard wheatgrass, and it also provides more complete ground cover than standard crested wheatgrass. It has a deep root system. Weakly-rhizomatous, sod-forming, root growth. It's seeds carry more and longer awns than standard crested wheatgrass. It has good seedling vigor and drought-tolerance. Has moderate salt tolerance. It is not adapted to poorly-drained soils or very heavy, clay soils. Best performance is on well-drained loam soils in areas that received 10 inches or more precipitation. Mainly used in erosion control or revegetation areas. Can be used for hay or pasture. It is a good seed propducer. It is easy to harvest as it holds well and can be combined.
Hycrest Crested Wheatgrass: Hybrid combo of Nordan and Fairway which produces heavier foliage. Kirk Crested Wheatgrass: Long-lived perennial bunch grass. It has an extensive fibrous root system that gives it excellent winter hardiness. Drought-resistant. Rapid early spring growth that is very palatable, but forage quality drops quickly after heading. It can be utilized for hay or pasture. Kirk is great for use in high animal traffic areas, or in dry areas. Selected for vigor, yield, and overall plant stature.
Ephriam Crested Wheatgrass: Similar to Fairway, but rhizomes provide added use for soil erosion control. More alkali tolerant than Siberian wheatgrass. 8-14" rainfall. 7-9 lbs. per acre. Do not graze until late summer or fall of second growing season- periodically allow to mature and produce seed.
Siberian Wheatgrass: Used in grazing, range, and hayland. Used for forage production. Is palatable to livestock and wildlife. Is a desirable feed in spring and in the fall if it regrows enough. It withstands heavy grazing. Use for erosion control/reclamation. Drought tolerant. Know for rate of establishment, stand persistance, and total forage yield on more arid sites. Has been seeded in areas with as little as 5 inches of precipitation. Does well in shallow to deep, moderately course to fine-textured, weakly acidic to moderately alkaline soils. Cold tolerant. Planting time is early spring or late fall. Good seedling vigor. Long-lived, cool season grass. Grows 1-3 ft. tall.
Oahe Intermediate Wheatgrass: Oahe has a uniformly bluish-green color. Drought tolerant. Vigorous, rhizomatous traits. High seed yields. Oahe is adapted for hay, pasture, and conservation purposes. Easily established, sod-forming, cool-season wheatgrass that grows 2-4 ft. tall. Excellent planted along or in combination with alfalfa. Matures approximately 2 weeks later that crested wheatgrass. Produces an excellent quality forage in the spring and early summer. Growth stops during the hot dry summer months and resumes growing in late summer with moisture. 8-12 lbs. per acre. Rush Intermediate Wheatgrass: Rush has superiour seedling emergence and vigor compared to other intermediate wheatgrasses. Good spring recovery, and good rate of spread by rhizomes. Uniform seed-heads, wide leaves. High forage and seed production. It has the largest seed of intermediate wheatgrasses, averaging 66,000 seeds per pound. It is adapted for soil erosion control, roadside, and mine spoil stabilization. Hayland and pastureland, both irrigated and dry. Forage for livestock and wildlife. It is NOT adapted to hay mixtures with alfalfa.
Pubescent Wheatgrass: Is similar to Intermediate in most respects, but is distinguishable by the pubescence, or presence of short, stiff hairs, on the heads and seeds. It is more drought tolerant and has more winter-hardiness than intermediate wheatgrass. It is useful for hay and pastures. It's outstanding feature is its ability to stay green into the summer months when soil moisture is adequate. It is a long-lived, sod-forming grass. It has slightly more drought tolerance and ability to spread by rhizomes than intermediate wheatgrass. Stems grow to a height of 3-4 ft. and produce seed heads that are 4-8 inches long. Seeds of pubescent wheatgrass and intermediate wheatgrass are frequently found as a mixture. The two species readily cross-pollinate. It is better adapted than intermediate wheatgrass to low-fertility soils and low-rainfall areas. It has some tolerance to saline soils. It grows well under irrigation, but its yields are not equal to intermediate wheatgrass under these conditions.
Alkar Tall Wheatgrass: A perennial, cool-season, coarse, late-maturing grass. Grows 3-7 ft. tall. It is especially tolerant of saline or alkali soils. It is adapted to either irrigated or sub-irrigation. It prefers soils with a high water table. Used in wildlife planting where it's tall, persistent, bunch growth provides nesting sites and cover for upland gamebirds. Planting rate: 12-15 lbs. per acre. Plant in the spring or fall when temperatures are cooler. Drought tolerant.
Slender Wheatgrass: Often referred to as western rye grass. High alkali tolerance, but less drought resistant than crested. Palatable to cows and horses. Vigorous seedlings, but not long lived to plant in mixes. Grows in tall bunches up to 1' in diameter.
Secar Bluebunch Wheatgrass: Secar is a densely tufted bunchgrass. It is early-maturing, drought tolerant, and persistent under adverse conditions. Primary uses include: rangeland seeding, critical area stabilization, cropland retirement, mine spoil reclamation, and upland wildlife habitat. Secar grows to a height of 16-32 inches. There are approximately 139,000 seeds per pound. The longevity is 30+ years. It is adapted to low rainfall areas. It performs best in deep, well-drained soils and should not be seeded in saline lowlands, wet meadows, or densely forested areas. Secar can be seeded with legumes. Cheatgrass must be controlled before seeding Secar or it will our compete the Secar. Secar should not be grown in areas that are subject to heavy, spring-summer grazing usage.
Critana Thickspike Wheatgrass: Critant is a drought tolerant wheatgrass that has a fibrous root system and good seeding vigor. It is ideal for reclamation and stabilization of disturbed soils. It should not be planted with introduced grasses, but is very compatible with slower developing natives. Critana is cold tolerant, moderately shade tolerant, and very tolerant of fire. It is palatable to all classes of livestock and wilflife, although it is generally considered a relatively low forage producer. It greens up and heads out earlier. It does better on medium to coarse-textured soils. Growing height: 12-24". Minimum annual rainfall: 10". 154,000 seed per pound. Seeding rate: 12 lbs/acre, 2 lbs/1,000 sq. ft. Western Wheatgrass: A native, cool-season, perennial, sod-forming grass, which produces from under ground stems and seeds. It starts growth in early fall, remaining green until winter, and max growth is in the spring. Goes dormant in mid-summer. Can stand closer grazing than taller natives. Graze during early growing stage, hay at late bloom stage.
Canada Bluegrass: a low-maintenance ground cover to 18” high. Minimum of 18” rainfall.
Sherman Big Bluegrass: Sherman Big Bluegrass is a long-lived, perennial bunchgrass that begins growth early in the spring, as much as 4 weeks earlier than crested wheatgrass. Primary uses: Rangeland seedings, critical area stabilization, cropland retirement, mine soil reclamation, upland wildlife habitat, and dryland hay. Sherman attains a height of 12-24 inches. It performs best on well-drained soils. It should not be seeded to alkali flats or densely forested areas. Sherman can be seeded alone but is more commonly seeded with other grasses such as Basin Wildrye. It can also be sown with forbs and legumes. Sherman competes well with cheatgrass. Sites that receives 11 inches of annual rainfall will yield 700-1500 lbs. per acre. Irrigated production can be as high as 2 tons per acre. Canada Bluegrass: A low-maintenance ground cover up to 18" high used on infertile or moderately acid soils. 18" rainfall minimum. 15-20 lbs. per acre.
Basin Wildrye: A native, perennial bunchgrass used like small burnett, but more drought tolerant. Seeded for pasture in wet summer, dry winter climates. 8-16" rainfall. Later fall palatibility than crested (harder to establish due to seedling vigor, but soil stabilizer when established). Common on wet alkali soils in West, tall therefore used as winter feed above snow.
Russian Wildrye: Russian Wildrye is one of the most versatile forage grasses available for dryland pastures. It is a long-lived perennial bunchgrass. Russian wildrye is well adapted to silt loam and to heavy clay soils. Exceptionally cold and drought tolarent. It is not well-suited to hay production. It is long-lived, and stays greener longer into the summer than crested wheatgrass. The forage is very palatable. It has the ability to cure later in the growing season with good protein levels. It is tolerant of grazing and regrows quickly. Uses: Erosion control/reclamation, very competitive with weeds once established, very good tolerance to salinity, and good feed for wildlife.
Small Burnett: A hardy, perennial evergreen forb used as plant food for game animals. Often used on mine spoil areas. Palatable. 12" rainfall required, up to 8.0 pH on well-drained soils. 1 lb.+ in mixtures. Delar is Idaho variety.
Hard Fescue: Hard fescue is a medium-tall, long-lived, densely tufted bunchgrass. It is a large form of sheep fescue. Drought tolerant. Uses: erosion control, cover crop in irrigated orchards, soil protection on road sides, ditch-banks, and airports, and is used as an effective barrier to weed invasion. Hard Fescue is adapted to a wide range of soil conditions. It will not tolerate "wet feet" or alkaline soils, but does well on low fertility sites and in shaded areas. The dense mass of relatively tough leaves makes mowing difficult. Plant 5-7 lbs. per acre (drilling), 10 lbs. per acre (broadcast seeding). Spring seeding is consistently more successful than fall seeding. Plant as early in the spring as possible on drylands.
Sheep Fescue: Sheep Fescue is a drought-resistant bunchgrass. Provides an excellent groundcover. It is somewhat slow to establish; however, once eastablished, it is a very persistent, winter-hardy grass. Sheep Fescue is a short bunchgrass that forms dense tufts with numerous, stiff, rather sharp, bluish-green leaves. Sheep Fescue is adapted to a wide range of soil conditions in areas of 12 inches or more annual precipitation. It succeeds better than most grasses on sandy or gravelly soils. It tolerates shade and moderate acidity. Uses: erosion control, road and banks, terraced or diversions, on steep slopes planted for permanent cover. It is not intended for livestock grazing although it is palatable. Should be planted 8 weeks before frost in the fall, or plant when soil temperatures reach 55 degrees in the spring. 4-5 lbs. per 1,000 sq. ft., 160-200 lbs. per acre.
Sainfoin: A substitute for alfalfa in dry land areas with an excess of 13” rainfall. Resistant to alfalfa weevil and non-bloating.