Section 1: Tiomthy Grass
Phleum pretense, more commonly known as timothy, is a perennial grass that is used as a nutritious and easily consumed hay, either on its own or in mixes, for cattle, sheep and horses (Berg et al. 1996). The grass is native to Europe and was introduced to North American in the mid-1800s (Rose, 1976). The crop is highly tolerant to flooding and is known for its sustainability in cold environments, timothy can even grow in sandy soils (Rose, 1976). The timothy seeds are quite small which can cause some difficulty while planting such as calibrating the seed drill and obtaining proper seed depth, but that is a small problem compared to the success in timothy yield here in Canada, with long-term yield ranging from 150 up to 600 kilograms per hectare (Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, 2004). Seeding can be done in mid spring and harvesting timothy can be done in early to mid-August, the grass is easily dehulled, and a conventional grain combine is most suitable (Berg et al. 1996). There is no excessive requirements or costs to grow timothy compared to other forage grasses, the biggest factor is its environment, needing moist and humid soil.
Advantages
The bunchgrass thrives in cool and moist climates, such as many areas in Canada (Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, 2004). It can grow in well in dense sandy soils which are usually considered undesirable for agriculture. Timothy hay is very high in fiber, making it a great feed for livestock (Minson et al. 1964). The price of timothy seed is low in comparison to other forages grasses. Timothy has a large harvesting available time frame of about three weeks when the grass is golden at the head base, it is also easily hulled (MFSA, 2016). The seed it planted at a shallow depth of about 1cm, and one acre only requires 1-2lbs of seed (MFSA, 2016).
Disadvantages
Timothy must be planted in a weed free field, weed management can be done pre-harvest and post-harvest with the help of common herbicides (Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, 2004). Timothy grass is not adapted to saline soils, and has a very low success rate when planted more than 3cm deep (MFSA, 2016).
Advantages
The bunchgrass thrives in cool and moist climates, such as many areas in Canada (Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, 2004). It can grow in well in dense sandy soils which are usually considered undesirable for agriculture. Timothy hay is very high in fiber, making it a great feed for livestock (Minson et al. 1964). The price of timothy seed is low in comparison to other forages grasses. Timothy has a large harvesting available time frame of about three weeks when the grass is golden at the head base, it is also easily hulled (MFSA, 2016). The seed it planted at a shallow depth of about 1cm, and one acre only requires 1-2lbs of seed (MFSA, 2016).
Disadvantages
Timothy must be planted in a weed free field, weed management can be done pre-harvest and post-harvest with the help of common herbicides (Alberta Agriculture and Forestry, 2004). Timothy grass is not adapted to saline soils, and has a very low success rate when planted more than 3cm deep (MFSA, 2016).