It grows to a height of 3 to 8 feet tall, depending on the variety. Video: Ontario Switchgrass Field Day Interview with Don Nott of Clinton, Ontario At the Ontario switchgrass field day, Don Nott is interviewed and discusses biomass markets and his 4th year seed field of RC Big Rock upland switchgrass. Ideal Conditions: Plant 5-6 PLS lbs per acre late May-July or frost seed December-February Seed rates are between 8-9 pounds per acre. However, they are either significant concerns for closely related plants in Ontario, or are reported on this crop in other production areas. $8.95. The encroachment of woody or non-prairie vegetation is curtailed by fire allowing the prairie community to thrive. A late fall sowing naturally stratifies any seed that may be dormant. 9 kg/ha pure live seed (~570,000 seeds/kg). When used as part of a mix, ensure that the mix consists of not less than 1.0% and not more than 50.0% of the total. It is also an important biomass plant. Relative humidity (RH): Store in a cool/dry environment. Switchgrass is easily identified by a small nest of hair where the blades attach to the sheath. With the concerns of foreign fuel dependency and greenhouse gas, these bioenergy conservations are necessary and also helps to strengthen our local farm economy. Switch Grass. Insects and Invertebrates: Grasshoppers, leafhoppers, aphids, stem borers, wireworms, Diseases: Head smut (Tilletia maclagani), viruses (barley yellow dwarf virus, Panicum moasaic virus). Switchgrass also provided good habitat and protection for upland game birds such as pheasant, quail, and grouse. This warm season bunch forming grass produces attractive conical seed heads which turn a golden brown in fall. Click here for phosphorus and potassium application guidelines and for more information on specialty crop fertility. In order to keep our employees safe, and to keep receiving, shipping, and cleaning seed, we are taking some short-term measures to … Switchgrass - Cave-in-Rock (Panicum virgatum), Seed Packet, True Native Seed 3.2 out of 5 stars 15. Many native plants will not bloom until the second year of growth when grown from seed. Mow to 20 cm (8″) height at least once through the first year of growth should aggressive weeds threaten to take over the planting and again after the fall frosts have reduced annual foliage. Ontario research indicates some yield response to nitrogen rates up to 160kg N/ha..  N fertilizer should not be applied during the seeding year because it encourages weed competition. Switchgrass also responds very well to a May-June sowing 6-12 mm (1/4-1/2″) deep. Pure live seed is a measure of the amount of live seed in a bulk seed lot. Switchgrass Seeds 8085 (Panicum virgatum). 550 seed/gram. In Southern Ontario farmers are achieving dry matter yields of 7-12 t/ha (3 to 5 tonnes per acre). Feel free to contact Don at Switch Energy to discuss your switch grass seed purchases. $84.99. Switchgrass, Panicum virgatum, is the most productive and commonly talked about native, warm season grass being considered as a feedstock for alternative fuels and sustainable fiber.There are a number of studies claiming significant energy returns using Switchgrass as a solid fuel in the form of switchgrass pellets or as a feedstock for cellulosic ethanol. Switchgrass is a perennial, warm-season grass sod forming grass that is native to much of North America. Valuable as livestock forage, wildlife habitat, erosion control and biofuel source. If deficiencies of P and K exist (less than 10 ppm or 22 kg P/ha, less than 90 ppm or 202 kg K/ha), these nutrients can be applied and cultivated into the soil before planting. Please enable Javascript to run. This allows nutrients to move back into the roots and leach back into the soil. The seed is utilized by song and game birds. The stem is round, hollow, and usually, has a reddish tint. Only 20 left in stock - order soon. Spring harvest will result in lower yields, but the grass will be of higher quality for combustion. Quality Standards & Organic Certification. Switchgrass varieties fall into two forms: lowland cultivars, which generally produce more biomass, and upland cultivars, which are preferred for northern areas due to their … You are only paying for viable seed. For more information, consult an OMAFRA specialist. Wildlife food plot seed, Cover crop seed store in Ohio, Organic seed store in Amish Country Merit Seed. Samson was one of several speakers talking about switchgrass at a recent meeting at the farm of Don Nott, a leader in Ontario switchgrass production, near Clinton. There are few to no pest control products registered on this crop. Two harvests possible if used as a forage crop. Switchgrass is one of the easiest forms of wildlife cover to plant and if planted correctly, switchgrass can be fully established after only 2 Summers of growth! Consider a controlled burn of prairie species where municipal laws permit. Special Notes. Then, when switchgrass was recognized as having the … It is a major component of the Tallgrass Prairie ecosystem. Well drained soils of finer texture are preferable to heavy or light soils. Depends on end use. Tall panic grass, tall prairiegrass, thatchgrass, Close Relatives: Other Panicum species, proso millet, foxtail millet, Uses and Markets: Industrial (fibre, biocomposites, paper, bioenergy), animal feed and bedding. It grows in a clumpy form from 3 to 9 feet tall, with light blue-green leaf blades, and an open panicle seed head. In 1999, with the owner retiring, General Seed was sold to employees. One of the dominant grasses in the tall grass prairie. 2-7 . No established grades. Lawn seed store Soil moisture should be available for a month after sowing. This renewable energy is an efficient bioenergy crop. Panicum virgatum, commonly known as switchgrass, is a perennial warm season bunchgrass native to North America, where it occurs naturally from 55°N latitude in Canada southwards into the United States and Mexico.Switchgrass is one of the dominant species of the central North American tallgrass prairie and can be found in remnant prairies, in native grass pastures, and naturalized along roadsides. Small seeded crops require good seed to soil contact and finely prepared seedbeds. switchgrass; little bluestem Switch Grass is planted in the spring using a standard seed drill. 2011. Research and recommendations from outside Ontario do not necessarily apply to Ontario growing conditions. Christensen, Cory A. and Gary Koppenjan, eds., 2010. This field is for validation purposes and should be left unchanged. Perennial Farm Marketplace Panicum v. Since then, the company has become specialized in Forage, Turf, Cover Crops, Silage Corn and Native Seeds. With a wide range of products for your home lawn, cottage, park / playground, sports field and roadside, Speare Seeds is pleased to offer grass seeds that are 99.9% weed-free. Our new Turf Genius® line guarantees you 100% certified seed … Switchgrass varieties fall into two forms: lowland cultivars, which generally produce more biomass, and upland cultivars, which are preferred for northern areas due to their higher cold tolerance. Prices listed are based on pure live seed weight, not bulk weight. Keep in mind should ideal growing conditions not occur, the seed may go dormant and not germinate until the spring of the following year. Quality is determined by the market. Weed control will likely be necessary during the first one to two years as weeds will compete with establishing plants.To date the following pests have been the most significant in Ontario: rust. Switchgrass produces large seeds on a spangled-type seed head. High quality grass seed is the foundation of a healthy lawn. Do you need to frost seed your food plots or grass plantings this year! Performs well on a wide range of soils. The plants grow to 1-2 m. and produce sprays of airy seed heads in the fall. Switchgrass is an important forage plant and potential source of biomass for biofuel production. Samson, R., 2007. This warm season bunch forming grass produces attractive conical seed heads which turn a golden brown in fall. Other Potential Pests: The following pests have not been observed on this crop in Ontario. The first field scale plantation of switchgrass in Ontario was planted at the farm of Rick Rutley of Berwick, Ontario in 1997. Switchgreen is a new company seeking producers in Eastern Ontario. Switchgrass is used for pasture and makes a good quality hay when mowed prior to seedhead formation. Single harvest. Prior to European settlement, it grew widely across Midwestern US, and was the primary species of the tallgrass prairie. Crop can be stored in Ag-bags if not baled. In-Row Spacing A thick stand of Switchgrass makes excellent winter and early spring wildlife cover because of its ability to remain in an upright position when covered with snow or ice. Crops grown for biomass can tolerate higher levels of insect and disease damage than those grown for food or ornamental use. Hardiness Zone. It was promoted for its wildlife benefits and all of that years ago. Most native grasses do best when planted in the fall, between Oct. 15th and Nov. 15th. At home in almost any soil (except for very wet ones), it serves as an excellent winter and early spring wildlife cover and makes a superb soil stabilizing plant in poor soil sites. native tall grass prairie; switchgrass; big bluestem; little bluestem; Indian grass; William Dam Seed Company: 279 Hwy 8 Dundas, ON L9H 5E1 Tel: 905-628-6641 Fax: 905-627-1729 Email: info@damseeds.com. Hilla Kludze, Bill Deen, and Animesh Dutta. When to frost seed, how to frost seed and why to frost seed clover, switchgrass and brassicas can be found in this video. Many farmers prefer Switchgrass to other varieties of native grasses because of the har… Switchgrass is an important element in any tall prairie grass planting. Switchgrass Seeds a perennial grass. Switchgrass, a warm season, vigorous perennial can be found growing throughout the United States. It is most commonly found in prairie lowlands, but will grow under wide range of climatic conditions. Moisture is required during initial stand establishment. Switchgrass for Ethanol & Biodiesel Switchgrass is highly adaptive. Plants grow on average to 1.5 m (5′) tall. Only 5 left in stock - order soon. Switchgrass is a native, perennial, warm-season, sod-forming tall grass. It grows to a height of 3 to 8 feet tall, depending on the variety. Switchgrass can be grazed during the growing season, cut and baled as hay in the fall, or, if used for biofuel, cut and windrowed in late fall, and harvested in the spring. The crop reaches it's full potential in the third year. This Ontario native grass is used in pasture, for erosion control, in wildlife plantings and as an ornamental grass. Mature stands are drought tolerant, but produce less yield under dry conditions. The Panicum Virgatum grass, known as the Switch Grass, is native to the Midwestern United States and is most commonly found growing throughout … Images. Avoid the use of supplemental fertilizer as this encourages weeds at the expense of the native plants. Due to its height and deep root system, switchgrass can become dominant over other natives over time. May need to be ground and densified for the biofuels market. Some features of this website require Javascript to be enabled for best usibility. Switchgrass is hardy to Zone 3. A nurse crop (e.g. Production Life Cycle in Ontario. Although it is very drought tolerant, Switchgrass prefers low, moist ground but can grow on various soil types. spring wheat) may promote better stand establishment, reduce weed pressure and provide income during the first year. Serving Ontario, Quebec and the Maritimes, General Seed has been blessed with massive growth and expansion over the … Switchgrass bales will be processed into biomass fuel pellets. Learning how to plant switchgrass by either frost seeding or using a no till drill, will offer you 2 sure-fire ways … No current Ontario fertility recommendations exist. greenhouse, storage facility). At home in almost any soil (except for very wet ones), it serves as an excellent winter and early spring wildlife cover and makes a superb soil stabilizing plant in poor soil sites. Order switchgrass seed for winter and bedding cover from the seed specialist experts at Millborn Seeds. For more information on Crop Groups, refer to the Pest section. Approximate seeds per lb: 259,000 Seeding Rate: Expect to apply about 8 lb per acre. Not all of these pests will necessarily survive Ontario’s climate, but could potentially survive in a protected environment (e.g. Switchgrass, a warm season, vigorous perennial can be found growing throughout the United States. It’s one of the dominant species of the tallgrass prairie, and can grow up to six feet tall. Seed Availability for 2012. *Indicates pests commonly mentioned as causing significant damage or economic loss to this crop in other regions. Evaluation of Nitrogen Fertilization in C4 Grasses Grown for Bioenergy, Report on Literature Review of Agronomic Practices for Energy Crop Production under Ontario Conditions, Switchgrass Production in Ontario: A Management Guide, Planting and Managing Switchgrass as a Dedicated Energy Crop. Machine harvest; Standard field-crop equipment including sickle mowers, haybines, and round balers. Switchgrass Seed. OSC Seeds is the largest wholly Canadian-owned and operated packet seed company, offering a full line of products including over 30 herbs, 250 vegetables, ... From our central facility in Kitchener, Ontario, we can ship from coast to coast across Canada. There is some concern that biomass crops can serve as a refuge for pests of neighbouring crops. If you're not from Ontario, don't go away! You can grow it from the Rocky Mountains of Canada all the way to the Gulf of Mexico. Title: Biomass Heat in Ontario-A Pioneer In Making it Happen Author: Ian D. McDonald Created Date: 2/15/2011 1:13:44 PM The following year’s growth adapts easily to local climate and soil conditions needing only what nature provides. The author would estimate that the best of the warm season grasses, Switchgrass, would only be productive for 4 years in the North Dufferin area of Ontario. Outsidepride Switchgrass Seed - 5 LBS 3.9 out of 5 stars 12. It does well on marginal soils. Resource Efficient Agricultural Production (REAP) – Canada. When one compares a well managed cool season legume, grass pasture to Switchgrass pasture in this location, the majority of the advantages are with the cool season pasture. Albert Lea Seed is Open for Curbside-Pickup Only.. Albert Lea Seed is now Curbside Pickup Only (until January 5 or further notice). Switchgrass has numerous roots reaching to 10 feet deep, as well as underground rhizomes making it … switchgrass; Tall Grass Ontario: 659 Exeter Road London, ON N6E 1L3 Tel: 519-873-4631 E-mail: info@tallgrassontario.org. This is not a comprehensive list of all potential pests. Researcher Marlene Paibomesai talks about the use of biomass as an animal feed component. During the establishment year, native species plantings should be watered when dictated by the weather. Perennial. Switchgrass is a warm-season perennial bunchgrass native to much of the United States. Place your grass seed mix orders online at your convenience. Switchgrass ‘Cave In Rock’ is a rhizomatous, warm-season bunchgrass that is native throughout most of the U.S. Switchgrass is an important element in any tall prairie grass planting. Switchgrass is a perennial grass that creates large volumes of biomass that can be used for straw, animal feed and can be processed into many products. 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