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.
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
|2020-2023
| Variety | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 3-year |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jesup MaxQ | 5.93 | 3.22 | 2.56 | 11.71* |
| Ranchero | 5.95 | 2.86 | 2.50 | 11.31* |
| Texoma MaxQII | 5.66 | 3.03 | 2.61 | 11.30* |
| Cajun II | 5.57 | 2.95 | 2.49 | 11.01* |
| SS0705TFSL | 5.72 | 2.91 | 2.21 | 10.84* |
| Fillmore(FTF70) | 5.59 | 2.81 | 2.43 | 10.83* |
| Palatine | 5.44 | 3.01 | 2.26 | 10.71* |
| BarOptima PLUS E34 | 5.67 | 2.72 | 2.26 | 10.65* |
| Lacefield MaxQII | 5.41 | 2.86 | 2.25 | 10.51* |
| Estancia Arkshield | 5.37 | 2.79 | 2.35 | 10.51* |
| Armory | 5.46 | 2.62 | 2.40 | 10.48* |
| Greendale Protek | 5.56 | 2.6 | 2.12 | 10.28 |
| Martin 2 Protek | 5.44 | 2.68 | 2.15 | 10.26 |
| Triumphant Protek | 5.56 | 2.51 | 2.04 | 10.11 |
| KY31+ | 5.04 | 2.44 | 2.33 | 9.81 |
| STF43 | 5.17 | 2.61 | 1.86 | 9.65 |
| Tower Protek | 5.03 | 2.31 | 2.12 | 9.46 |
| LSD | 1.25 | 0.63 | 0.45 | 2.13 |
University of Kentucky
Forage Yields (Tons DM/A)
Princeton, KY
|2008-2011
| Variety | Seedling Vigor | Yield | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 10/30/08 | 2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 3-year | |
| Ranchero | 4.3* | 5.98* | 2.55* | 2.80* | 11.33* |
| Select | 3.5* | 5.45* | 2.44* | 2.63* | 10.52* |
| Cowgirl | 3.8* | 5.14 | 2.66* | 2.44* | 10.23* |
| Hymark | 3.3* | 5.19* | 2.51* | 2.50* | 10.21 |
| Kentucky 32 | 4.0* | 5.04 | 2.22* | 2.62* | 9.87 |
| Jesup MaxQ | 3.7* | 4.91 | 2.06 | 2.54* | 9.51 |
| KY31 | 3.8* | 5.25* | 2.42* | 1.63 | 9.31 |
| Lsd 0.05 | 1.2 | .81 | .59 | .58 | 1.11 |
New York
Cornell University
Hay Trial
New York
|2018-2022
| Variety | 3-yr Yield (Tons DM/AC) | % Stand (Fall 2020) | 2021 Heading Date | Forage Quality (Boot Stage) | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| % NDF | % NDFD | ||||
| KY-31 | 14.86* | 65* | May 22 | 45 | 76 |
| Ranchero | 13.84 | 63* | May 20 | 48 | 73 |
| BarElite | 13.12 | 63* | May 25 | 45 | 76 |
| Bariane | 12.67 | 60* | May 28 | 52 | 52 |
| Lsd | 0.57 | 16.37 | |||
Michigan
Michigan State University
Forage Yields (Tons DM/A)
East Lansing, MI
|2018-2021
| Yield | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variety | Heading date | 2019 | 2020 | 2021 | 3-yr total |
| Ranchero | 5/20 | 5.98 | 3.34 | 5.69 | 15.01 |
| Barelite | 5/26 | 6.01 | 3.03 | 5.14 | 14.18 |
| Bariane | 5/28 | 5.41 | 2.98 | 5.29 | 13.67 |
| lsd | 0.63 | 0.26 | 0.63 | 0.97 | |
Planting Instructions
Seeding Rate
Planting Dates
Early spring and fall.
Planting Map
Planting Depth
1/8-3/8"
Optimal pH
5.7-7.0
Germination
7-14 days