FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
For more information, contact: Claudia Dalbey, Secretary
Phone: 515-382-2217
SWITCHGRASS AN OLD GRASS PLAYING NEW ROLES Switchgrass is best known these days as a potential ethanol crop, and has been mentioned by President Bush as a future alternative fuel. But switchgrass is already playing various roles in Story County, and several kinds of switchgrass seed are now available.
Switchgrass is a warm-season prairie grass native to Iowa. Some switchgrass cultivars (varieties) were developed from seed collected from prairies in other states, and were bred as forage grasses, designed to stand up to heavy grazing. These cultivars tend to be large, with aggressive growth patterns. Some switchgrass cultivars are the subjects of biomass research at Iowa State University, the Biomass Energy Conversion Facility in Nevada, and elsewhere.
In addition, some Conservation Reserve Program switchgrass plantings in Story County were grown from cultivar seed. For years, cultivar seed was the only switchgrass seed easily available in central Iowa.
Now Iowans have the option of using switchgrass seed that is descended from Iowa prairies, and has not been developed into cultivars. Some of this seed has been labeled "Natural Selections" by the Tallgrass Prairie Center at the University of Northern Iowa, through a program that provides source-identified Iowa-origin prairie seed to interested buyers.
Iowa organizations and individuals who want prairie plantings that look and behave more like original Iowa prairies often prefer to use Iowa-origin switchgrass seed. This is especially true because certain switchgrass cultivars can overwhelm other prairie grasses and flowers. In Story County, Iowa-origin switchgrass is being used for conservation plantings, roadsides, and urban landscaping. Its use is especially encouraged for prairie plantings near original prairie remnants.
For more information on switchgrass, contact the Story County Soil and Water Conservation District at 515-382-2217. Information on Iowa-origin switchgrass seed is also available through the Iowa Prairie Network at: http://www.iowaprairienetwork.org
Cindy Hildebrand
Cindy Hildebrand
grantridge@aol.com
57439 250th St.
Ames, IA 50010
515-232-3807