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Bentgrass, Bluegrass, Bromegrass

Grass When to Harvest* Harvest Methods Comments
Bentgrass

Colonial

Creeping

Velvet

Late July or early August. Seed separates from seed head when rubbed in the palm of the hand. Mower with windrow attachment. Air should be off as seeds are very small and light. Does not shatter easily.
Bluegrass

Canada

Kentucky

July or early August. Heads will be yellow or brown and seed firm. Seed head moisture content 45 to 50%. Swath or straight combine, may have to be run through combine twice. Carefully adjust air intake. Some growers have had success with rotary or axial flow combines. Does not shatter easily.
Bromegrass

Meadow

Smooth

Late July or early August. Heads will be brown and upper stems turning brown. Seed head moisture content 50 to 55%. Swath (may be an advantage to straight combine light crops). Can be combine when seed moisture is about 14%, about 10 days after swathing. Cylinder speed 100 to 200 rpm slower than for wheat, concaves closed more than for wheat on rub bar cylinder and sieves wider than for wheat, air off. Meadow brome is about a week earlier than smooth brome and shatters more easily. Ten to 20% dockage can be expected.

*Moisture content for entire seed heads established by research at Agriculture Canada, Beaverlodge. You can use a commercial moisture tester or a home oven set at 180 degrees F (82 degrees C). Use a scale to determine before and after drying weights. Allow about 4 hours for drying to reach a stable weight when using the home oven method.

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