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Native range grass seed can be a profitable cash crop. Range grass seed can often be harvested from stands of grass in existing pastures or rangeland areas. Problems often arise because these areas are frequently a mixture of different weeds and/or grass species. Like any other crop, it requires skill, knowledge, and experience to produce a quality product.
Grass seed yields from stands of .native range will vary from Oto 300 pounds of pure live seed per acre, but 50 pounds is a reasonable goal for first year production. Producers can expect a seed crop four out of five years under native dryland conditions.
There has been no specific research into optimum fertilizer rates for range grass seed production, but the fertilizer recommended and used for good forage production should also provide maximum seed set. Nitrogen and phosphorus are usually the only two nutrients required.
The stand should be examined before applying fertilizer. If many cool season grasses or weeds are present, early fertilizer application may stimulate these species to compete with the desirable native range grasses. This could potentially reduce the seed yield.
Nitrogen should be applied in May to avoid stimulating cool season grasses and weeds. Phosphate is best applied in the fall or early spring. If phosphate is applied in May, there will be no fertilizer response until the following year.
A combination of herbicides, timely mowing, and/or grazing can help reduce or eliminate many undesirable cool season grasses and weeds. Proper weed control can improve overall seed yields, make harvest easier, and lower the amount of weed seed contamination.
Atrazine can be used in the fall or early spring to control bluegrass, most annual grasses and broadleaves, and to suppress smooth brome. Thistles and other hard-tocontrol broadleaves can be controlled with labelled rates of 2,4-D, dicamba and other herbicides labelled for use in rangeland on certain grass species.
Several of these herbicides have restrictions on grazing, soil type, and timing. Check the labels for specific rates and product information.
Native range grasses do not ripen unif orrn.ly., so they must be examined carefully to determine maturity. Harvesting methods for native range grass seeds are covered in Crop File 3.29.601.
Native grass seed that will be offered for sale must be analyzed for germination and purity to determine the percentage of pure live seed. Newly harvested range grass seeds often have a high degree of dormancy which requires an extended germination period - as much as four to six weeks.
Gompert, T. and Chuck Francis. "Warm season grass seed harvest: opportunities and problems". Crop Production News, Vol. 7, No. 21. IANR. Univ. of Nebr. May 1987.
Association of Official Seed Analysts. "Rules for testing seeds". Vol. 6, No. 2. 1984.