Cocksfoot

Introduction

• Scientific name: Dactylis glomerata
• Perennial grass with flattened tillers and bluish-green leaves.
• Seedhead is a contracted panicle with spikelet in clumps.
• No animal health problems so far known.

Production and management

• Nutritive value is usually lower than that of perennial ryegrass.
• Establishment is slower than perennial ryegrass but superior to tall fescue.
• Seed rate is 12 kg/ha.
• Average sowing rate in mixture could be 4-10 Kg/ha.
• More tolerant of tearing and close grazing than erect cultivars.

Environment

• Persists under medium fertility conditions but respond to higher fertility.
• Grows better in the shade under trees than most other pasture grasses.