Western Wheatgrass (20%)
It is a native, cool season, long-lived perennial, sod-forming grass that reproduces by underground rhizomes. Under good conditions, western wheatgrass produces an abundance of early season nutritious forage. This is readily eaten by livestock until late summer when it becomes harsh and fibrous. Western wheatgrass performs well under a wide range of soil types, from sandy to clayey, and is very tolerant to higher soil salinity.
Big Bluestem (20%)
Big blue is a warm season, perennial bunch grass that grows to a height of 3 to 8 feet. It has roots that permeate the top two feet of soil. Big Bluestem is adapted to moist, deep, well-drained soils. Big Bluestem is very palatable and nutritious although, if continuously grazed closer than 6 to 8 inches, will be replaced by less desirable grasses. It also works well in pure stands and is used extensively for nesting habitat, and reclamation projects.
Green Needlegrass (15%)
Green needle is a cool season, perennial bunch type grass that grows from 1 1/2 to 3 feet tall. It is a native grass that grows on medium to fine textured soils. Green Needlegrass starts growth early in the spring, and is nutritious, palatable, and remains green throughout the year. Stand establishment may be slow because of high dormant seed percentage.
Indiangrass (15%)
Indian is a warm season grass that spreads by seed and short rhizomes. It grows to a height of 3 to 6 feet and will grow on sandy soil, it is better adapted to moist well-drained bottomlands. Indiangrass exhibits moderate salt tolerance and will withstand occasional flooding. It makes good quality hay, and is found primarily in the tall grass prairie, and mixed-grass prairie. Primary use is in wildlife habitat and native range and pasture mixtures.
Sideoats Grama (10%)
Side Oats Grama is a warm season, erect native perennial grass that grows in tufts and open bunches to a height of 1 to 2 feet tall. It is more tolerant to drought than Indiangrass or Big Bluestem. It grows fast in late spring and early summer and stays green late into the summer. Side Oats Grama has good forage value and is grazed mostly in late summer and fall. It is found primarily on poorly developed shallow soiled, steep slopes, and ridgetops. Primary use is in grass mixtures for rangeland seeding and its excellent seedling vigor allows rapid establishment.
Little Bluestem (10%)
A warm season, leafy perennial grass that grows to a height of 1 to 4 feet. It can be grazed and has good forage value when the leaves are tender. It does not cure well and has moderate palatability for fall or winter grazing. Recommended in a mixture of warm season grasses for erosion control or summer pasture.
Blue Grama (5%)
A warm season short tufted perennial of the mixed grass prairie that is widely distributed on medium to heavy soils throughout the Dakotas and Minnesota. It has high drought tolerance on all soil types. Primarily used in rangeland seed mixes, low maintenance turf areas and roadsides.
Slender Wheatgrass (5%)
It is a short-lived, cool season perennial bunchgrass primarily used in seed mixtures due to its excellent seedling vigor, ease of establishment and fast growth. Established plants lose vigor and decline in abundance within 3 to 4 years. Slender wheatgrass improves stand productivity, especially in the first year, allowing other grasses to become better established. Its high tolerance to saline soils makes it a great addition to this mix.
Recommended usage: Designed for people who want a native pasture, ‘Old time native prairie’, ‘natural’ looking field. A relatively expensive mixture that takes 2-3 years to get well established, due to the high percentage of warm season grasses which are slower to establish.