Sideoats Grama, Haskell

Good all-around range grass, especially in shallow soils.

Source:  Haskell sideoats grama was collected from a native stand near Haskell, Texas.  Testing at the James E.”Bud” Smith Plant Materials Center has shown that Haskell has a crude protein starting at 13% in the spring, decreasing to 6% in early fall. Digestibility ranges from 70% in early spring to 50% in early fall. Haskell has proven to be better adapted, longer lived, and more productive than other varieties presently available in Texas.

Uses

Erosion Control: This grass is adapted to most soil conditions.  Successful seeding’s are obtained in rocky, stony, or shallow soils.  It is a fair to good erosion control plant when mixed with the other plants naturally associated with it

Grazing: This is one of the most important range grasses.  Although not as palatable as some of the smaller gramas, e.g. blue grama, it is more palatable than many of the other grass species.  It produces a much greater volume of forage than blue grama, and this tends to make up for its slightly lower palatability.  It remains green later in the fall and usually begins growth in the spring before other gramas.  It cures well, and maintains a fairly high feeding value throughout the year.

Wildlife: Furnishes some forage for deer and antelope when green.  Elk use this plant throughout the year.