Ranchero Forage Tall Fescue

Hay it, graze it, let it grow tall. Ranchero does it all.

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Tall-Growing Perennial Forage — Safe for All Livestock

Ranchero grows fast and tall. With its long and wide leaves, Ranchero produces excellent forage for hay and grazing. Since it is endophyte-free, Ranchero is safe for all livestock, including horses. It is a hardy tall fescue designed to survive under stress, thrive in ideal conditions and last many years.

Ranchero tall fescue, close up of plant

Fast Establishing

Ranchero has excellent seedling vigor and establishment and an aggressive root structure. These features make Ranchero not only great for pastures but also ideal for slopes, waterways, and other areas needing soil stabilization. Whether these areas are grazed, hayed, or left unmowed, Ranchero will be able to hold soil in place.

Overseeding and Mixing

Ranchero is very useful to help boost thinning pasture and unmaintained areas where quick, vigorous perennial grasses are desired. Ranchero is also a terrific companion grass to other forage species, including orchardgrass, ryegrasses, bromegrass, and legumes.

Medium Maturity

Ranchero is classified as a medium maturing variety providing a balance between extended forage quality and high early yields.

Stem Rust Resistant

Ranchero has an above average resistance to stem rust.

Forage Trials

Ranchero is being tested in multiple locations throughout the world, including the data shown here.

Kentucky

University of Kentucky

Forage Yields (Tons DM/A)

Lexington, KY

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2020-2023

Variety2021202220233-year
Jesup MaxQ5.933.222.5611.71*
Ranchero5.952.862.5011.31*
Texoma MaxQII5.663.032.6111.30*
Cajun II5.572.952.4911.01*
SS0705TFSL5.722.912.2110.84*
Fillmore(FTF70)5.592.812.4310.83*
Palatine5.443.012.2610.71*
BarOptima PLUS E345.672.722.2610.65*
Lacefield MaxQII5.412.862.2510.51*
Estancia Arkshield5.372.792.3510.51*
Armory5.462.622.4010.48*
Greendale Protek5.562.62.1210.28
Martin 2 Protek5.442.682.1510.26
Triumphant Protek5.562.512.0410.11
KY31+5.042.442.339.81
STF435.172.611.869.65
Tower Protek5.032.312.129.46
LSD1.250.630.452.13

Seeded Aug 28, 2020.

*Statistically equal to top score.

University of Kentucky

Forage Yields (Tons DM/A)

Princeton, KY

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2008-2011

VarietySeedling VigorYield
 10/30/082009201020113-year
Ranchero4.3*5.98*2.55*2.80*11.33*
Select3.5*5.45*2.44*2.63*10.52*
Cowgirl3.8*5.142.66*2.44*10.23*
Hymark3.3*5.19*2.51*2.50*10.21
Kentucky 324.0*5.042.22*2.62*9.87
Jesup MaxQ3.7*4.912.062.54*9.51
KY313.8*5.25*2.42*1.639.31
Lsd 0.051.2.81.59.581.11

Vigor score based on scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being the most vigorous seedling growth.

Sown Sept 29, 2008.

*Not significantly different from the highest numerical value in the column, based on the 0.05 LSD.

New York

Cornell University

Hay Trial

New York

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2018-2022

Variety3-yr Yield (Tons DM/AC)% Stand (Fall 2020)2021 Heading DateForage Quality (Boot Stage)
    % NDF% NDFD
KY-3114.86*65*May 224576
Ranchero13.8463*May 204873
BarElite13.1263*May 254576
Bariane12.6760*May 285252
Lsd0.5716.37   

Sown May 18, 2018.

Michigan

Michigan State University

Forage Yields (Tons DM/A)

East Lansing, MI

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2018-2021

  Yield
VarietyHeading date2019202020213-yr total
Ranchero5/205.983.345.6915.01
Barelite5/266.013.035.1414.18
Bariane5/285.412.985.2913.67
lsd 0.630.260.630.97

Planting Instructions

Seeding Rate

New Pastures
30-40 lbs/ac
Overseeding
10–15 lbs/ac

Planting Dates

Early spring and fall.

Planting Map

Planting Depth

1/8-3/8"

Optimal pH

5.7-7.0

Germination

7-14 days