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• food value is good. Food value for deer, game birds, small mammals and non-game birds <br />is fair. Both cattle and sheep forage palatability ratings are good. Energy value is fair, <br />while protein value is poor. <br />ORCHARDGRASS: DACTYLIS GLOMERATA L. <br />This species is an Eurasian introduction that grows in dry-moist sites from 4,500 to <br />10,500 feet in Colorado. Orchardgrass is not poisonous to livestock. It has the potential to <br />become a colonizing weed. Growth in sandy loam, loam and clay loam on gentle and <br />moderate slopes is good and growth in these soils on steep slopes is fair. The erosion con- <br />trol potential for this species is high. Its establishment requirements are low. The short <br />term revegetation potential is medium and the long term is rated high. This grass is <br />highly rated for potential biomass production. Good cover is provided by orchardgraee for <br />small mammals, game birds and small non-game birds. Food value for elk, deer, game <br />birds, small non-game birds and small mammals is fair. Both cattle and sheep forage <br />palatability are good. Energy retention in this species is fair. Protein retention is poor. <br />Orchardgrass is a valuable species for reclamation/revegetation purposes at the <br />• Edna Mine. It is a desirable species of benefit to both wildlife and domestic livestock. This <br />grass is easy to establish and provides a quick stabilizing vegetative cover that is highly <br />rated in its ability to control erosion. This plant is not poisonous and when planted at low <br />seeding rates has very little potential of becoming a weed problem. Orchardgrass is <br />widespread in Routt County and Colorado. It is compatible with the plant and animal <br />species in the region. <br />RED FESCUE: FESTUCA RUBRA L. <br />Red fescue is a perennial native grass ranging in elevation from 7,000 to 11,200 feet <br />in dry, moist and wet Bites. Reproduction is accomplished vegetatively and sexually. <br />This species is non-weedy. Under rare circumstances it can be a minor poisoner to live- <br />stock. (See Hard fescue for poisonous factor). Erosion control potential is good due to its <br />rhizomatous vegetative reproduction. This Fescue may cause fatality in animals grazing <br />on the plant. (Heavy infestations of nematode galls in fescue seed have caused death in <br />cattle and sheep). <br />• <br />4.4-B-9 <br />