Joined Apr 19, 2012 Messages 5,482 Reaction score 5,191 Unimproved reed canary grass contains an alkaloid that grazing animals find unpalatable. Ensure that low … This grass … For best results in a pasture system, it should not be allowed to get higher than 14 or 15 inches. With a little knowledge and some dedicated management, graziers can get some good use of it, he adds. https://wrongdirectionfarm.com/2015/06/06/grazing-reed-canarygrass Reed canarygrass, Phalaris arundinacea, is a cool-season forage grass species used by Michigan farmers in certain situations. Morrical: Reed canary grass is an excellent cool season grass in terms of productivity. Grazing should take place early in the season, before the reed begins to loose quality and palatability. Reed canarygrass isn't as bad a pasture grass as many people think, says Bruce Anderson, University of Nebraska agronomy professor. Particularly well adapted to wet soils, it is also productive on upland sites. P. arundinacea is a highly variable species, varying in height, size and shape of inflorescence, and coloration. One of the first grasses to sprout in the spring, reed canary grass produces a compact panicle 3-16 inches long that is erect or slightly spreading. Reed canarygrass is a tall-growing, perennial grass which is widely distributed across Minnesota and other northern states. The native reed canary grass should not be totally eliminated, but no reliable method for telling the difference between the forms is known. Control measures should be implemented when reed canary grass degrades the natural quality or diversity of a community. Help? This grass does best in moist, cool climates. Reed canarygrass is one of the earliest grasses to begin spring growth. Anyhoo, there's a good deal on some local hay around my way - it's 'reed canary grass hay'. Canary grass seed, or reed canary grass seed, is produced by Allied Seed. Flat, green leaf blades occur from spring to early summer, but tend to turn brown as the summer progresses. Reed canarygrass is 2-9 feet tall non-native with flat, rough-textured, tapering leaves from 31/2-10 inches long. In pure stands, reed canarygrass will respond to extremely high rates of nitrogen. Reed canary grass spreads by underground stems (rhizomes) and forms a solid sod. However, Schoth (1938) stated that reed canarygrass was primarily a pasture