Orchardgrass is grown for hay, green chop, silage, and pasture for domestic livestock and wildlife. In addition, Orchardgrass may be used for soil erosion control on cut-over forest land. Due to its shade tolerance, dwarf types are used in orchards and other understory cover crop applications. It is compatible with many legumes (alfalfa, birdsfoot trefoil, and various clovers) and other grasses (perennial ryegrass, tall fescue, etc.). Pure stands or simple mixtures (one grass and one legume), however, are easiest to manage due to differing regrowth characteristics.
Livestock:
Orchardgrass can provide high yields of high-quality forage for dairy, beef, sheep and goats, horses, and other domestic livestock. Timely mechanical harvest techniques, sufficient recovery periods through rotational grazing systems, and good nutrient management will ensure long-lived, highly productive stands.
Wildlife:
Orchardgrass also is suited for use as wildlife habitat in areas where tame or introduced forage species are acceptable. Due to its shade tolerance, dwarf types of orchardgrass are used in orchards and other understory applications (agro-forestry and silvopastoral systems), and for use as a cover crop.
Soil Conservation:
The extensive root systems of grasses are valued in soil conservation applications. Orchardgrass tolerance of shade and it's summer heat tolerance make it well suited for soil conservation applications.