KY-Early Timothy
With this vigorous, mega-yielding, early maturing timothy you can make mounds of high-quality hay, graze more pounds per acre, and plant less often.
Variety Summary
KY-Early Timothy is an improved selection from Clair timothy bred for earlier heading, high yields, improved vigor and re growth. It was developed jointly by the KY Ag Experimental Station and the USDA-ARS and has been extensively tested. In Kentucky, it continually outperforms many other cultivars.
Features
Big Yields
KY-Early Timothy produces abundant quantities of forage. Trial results indicate 20-30% yield increases over Clair, Climax and many other timothy varieties. KY-Early provides more timothy per acre than the competition.
Alfalfa Compatible Harvest
KY-Early was specifically bred for earlier maturity to better coincide with alfalfa harvest, meaning both the alfalfa and the timothy are at their optimal forage quality at first cutting.
Multi-Year Performance
KY-Early is hardy. It has shown an ability to survive wet years as well as dry/hot years, assuring farmers of longer-lasting stands and fewer replants.
KY-Early for Hay
Why is KY-Early the timothy of choice for hay? Four reasons.
- Maturity matches up with alfalfa
- Outyields numerous other varieties of timothy, meaning more bales of hay.
- Excellent regrowth, meaning a greater chance of a high-yielding second cutting.
- Good longevity, meaning less replanting.
All this adds up to more profit per acre.
Climax & KY-Early Timothy | Penn State University | 2021
KY-Early for Horses
KY-Early gives you more horse-happiness per acre. For many horse owners, timothy is the grass of choice and is oftentimes recommended by trainers and veterinarians. It has been known to bring a shine to their coats, help mares foal easier, expedite recovery of colic surgery, and even help reduce boredom in horses confined to stables. These are just a few of the many benefits of KY-Early you can expect for horses.
KY-Early for Grazing
KY-Early is ideal forage for grazing all types of livestock including horses, cattle, sheep and goats. Grazers will appreciate the increased leafiness and darker green color. Note, all timothy varieties can be damaged by over grazing. Use in continuous grazing situations will drastically reduce plant longevity.
Timothy Varieties | Penn State University | 2021
KY-Early in Mixes
KY-Early is easy to use in mixes. It is a non-competitive bunch grass compatible with other grasses, legumes, and multi-species mixes. It will add palatability and forage tonnage, especially during early season cuts.
Yield Data
KY-Early is a high forage yielder. Growers can expect high yields with KY Early, plus excellent vigor, winter hardiness, and mid-summer growth. Independent multi-state trial data indicates a significant performance advantage over other timothy varieties.
Kentucky
University of Kentucky
Timothy Forage Trials
Lexington, KY
|2017-2020
| Maturity May 9-14 | Plant Height (in) | Percent Stand | Yield (tons/acre) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variety | 3-yr Ave 1 | May 9, ‘18 | Oct ‘18 | Oct ‘19 | Oct ‘20 | 2018 Total | 2019 Total | 2020 Total | 3-Year Total |
| KY-Early | 49.1 | 26.5* | 100* | 96* | 93* | 3.78* | 2.53* | 3.05* | 9.36* |
| Dawn | 47.7 | 24.5* | 100* | 97* | 97* | 3.53* | 1.99* | 2.89* | 8.42 |
| Barpenta | 39.8 | 13.5 | 100* | 78 | 88* | 3.61* | 1.77 | 2.28* | 7.66 |
| Barfleo | 43.9 | 18.0 | 100* | 91* | 92* | 3.60* | 1.76 | 2.28* | 7.63 |
| Climax | 45.3 | 16.5 | 100* | 94* | 93* | 3.34* | 1.78 | 2.36* | 7.49 |
| Clair | 40.7 | 14.5 | 100* | 81 | 84 | 3.52* | 1.61 | 2.07 | 7.20 |
| LSD | 2.0 | 0 | 12 | 10 | 0.71 | 0.59 | 0.78 | 1.66 | |
Timothy Forage Trials
Lexington, KY
|2013-2016
| Maturity May 12-13 | Percent Stand | Yield (tons/acre) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variety | 3-yr Ave 1 | Oct. 14, 2013 | Oct. 17, 2016 | 2014 Total | 2015 Total | 2016 Total | 3-year Total |
| KY-Early | 54.7 | 93 | 89 | 3.69 | 4.39 | 2.09 | 10.17* |
| Derby | 52.8 | 98 | 89 | 3.95 | 3.34 | 2.21 | 9.50* |
| Zenyatta | 52.0 | 96 | 90 | 3.66 | 3.31 | 1.78 | 8.74* |
| Clair | 53.3 | 73 | 81 | 3.32 | 3.4 | 1.49 | 8.22* |
| Summergraze | 41.8 | 99 | 80 | 3.22 | 3.02 | 1.93 | 8.18* |
| Comtol | 40.8 | 98 | 88 | 3.25 | 2.97 | 1.63 | 7.85 |
| Climax | 41.0 | 96 | 84 | 3.1 | 2.45 | 1.39 | 6.95 |
| LSD | 14 | 11 | 0.64 | 0.94 | 0.79 | 2.02 | |
Pennsylvania
Penn State University
Short-Lived Forage Trials - Timothy as an Annual (season multi-cut)
2020-2021
| Yield (Tons DM/A) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variety | Harvest Dates | Cut 1 | Cut 2 | Cut 3 | Cut 4 | Total |
| KY-Early | 5/21, 6/30, 8/16, 9/30 | 2.68 | 1.59 | 0.49 | 2.24 | 7.00 |
| Zenyatta | 5/21, 6/30, 8/16, 9/30 | 2.61 | 1.68 | 0.52 | 1.82 | 6.63 |
| Basho | 6/2, 7/21, 8/25, 9/30 | 2.14 | 1.51 | 0.64 | 1.40 | 5.68 |
| Climax | 6/4, 7/21, 8/25, 9/30 | 2.22 | 1.09 | 0.67 | 1.17 | 5.14 |
| LSD (.05) | 0.35 | 0.59 | 0.13 | 0.41 | 0.74 | |
New York
Forage Yields (Tons DM/A)
Ithaca, NY
|2017-2020
| Variety | Heading Date ‘19 | % Stand Nov. 26, 2019 | 2018 Yield | 2019 Yield | 2020 Yield | 3-Yr. Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| KY-Early | May 28 | 73% | 5.67 | 4.55 | 2.50 | 12.73 |
| Carson | May 31 | 68% | 5.26 | 4.62 | 2.63 | 12.51 |
| Rakel | June 7 | 65% | 4.90 | 3.84 | 2.17 | 10.91 |
| Climax | June 10 | 60% | 4.76 | 3.85 | 2.19 | 10.81 |
| Lsd | 0.27 | 0.49 | 0.17 | 0.77 |
Michigan
Forage Yields (Tons DM/A)
East Lansing, MI
|2018-2021
| Yield | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variety | Heading Date | 2019 Total | 2020 Total | 2021 Total | Three-Yr. Total |
| KY-Early | May 24 | 4.87 | 3.31 | 5.33 | 13.50 |
| Winnetow | June 5 | 5.20 | 2.57 | 4.26 | 12.04 |
| Climax | June 5 | 4.97 | 2.38 | 4.20 | 11.55 |
| LSD | ns | 0.33 | 0.46 | 1.00 | |
Forage Yields (Tons DM/A)
East Lansing, MI
|2017-2020
| Yield | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Variety | Heading Date | 2018 Total | 2019 Total | 2020 Total | Three-Yr. Total |
| KY-Early | May 25-27 | 5.07 | 5.49 | 3.29 | 14.41 |
| Climax | Vegetative | 3.16 | 4.79 | 2.79 | 11.30 |
| LSD | 0.68 | 0.64 | 1.11 | 1.82 | |
Forage Quality
Penn State University
Short-Lived Forage Trials - Timothy as an Annual (1st Cutting Quality Analysis)
2020-2021
| Variety | CP% | NDFD 30 | TTNDFD |
|---|---|---|---|
| KY-Early | 11.22 | 52.01 | 48.09 |
| Zenyatta | 11.59 | 53.11 | 48.93 |
| Basho | 10.99 | 50.81 | 48.56 |
| Climax | 11.07 | 50.69 | 47.53 |
Enhance Your Seed
We provide an array of seed enhancements, including bio stimulants, macro and micronutrients, water absorbents, fungicides, and colorants. These are available for all seed types and uses.
A Valuable Variety For Seed Dealers
Our timothy varieties not only perform well for farmers, they also are very valuable to seed dealers. Contact us today to see if dealer options are available in your area.
Planting Instructions
General Adaptation and Limitations
KY-Early and other timothys are shallow-rooted bunch grasses with high growing points. It tolerates cold temperatures and is highly palatable. KY-Early performs best in well-drained and fertile soils and when used for hay or in rotationally grazed pasture situations. Timothys do not tolerate drought, poorly drained soils or intensive continuous grazing.
Seeding Rate
Planting Dates
Late summer/early fall and late winter/early spring.
Planting Map
Planting Depth
1/4 -1/2"