Cocksfoot Grass (Dactylis glomerata) — A Tough, Deep-Rooting Perennial for Grazing & Hay
Cocksfoot is one of the most resilient and persistent grasses available to UK farmers. A densely tufted, bluish-green species, it can reach up to a metre in height and is instantly recognisable by its distinctive one-sided panicle — said to resemble the shape of a cock’s foot. Known as Orchard Grass in the USA, it’s a versatile performer across a wide range of soil types and conditions, from free-draining light soils to those prone to waterlogging.
What It’s Used For
Cocksfoot is suitable for both grazing and hay production. It establishes well in long-term leys and is a useful drought-tolerant component in cutting or grazing mixtures. It also has genuine wildlife value — its dense tufted growth harbours insects, making it a worthwhile inclusion for any farm with an eye on biodiversity.
How Long Will It Last?
A very persistent perennial, cocksfoot is suitable for leys of 2–10 years. Managed well, it will remain a productive component of the sward throughout.
Key Strengths
- Early spring growth — one of the first grasses to get going in the season
- Deep, comprehensive root structure — thrives on light, free-draining soils and tolerates waterlogging
- Extremely frost tolerant
- Harbours insects — a good choice for farms with biodiversity objectives
- High yield potential of 13 t DM/ha as a pure stand
- When grown with red clover, very effective at suppressing weeds
Frost Tolerance
Extremely tolerant to frost — one of the hardiest perennial grasses available.
Expected Yield
13 tonnes of dry matter per hectare as a pure stand.
Sowing Rate
- Pure stand: 8 kg/acre (20 kg/ha)
- In a mixture: 2 kg/acre or more
Cocksfoot seed is small and should be sown to a depth of 1 cm. Roll the seedbed after sowing to improve soil-to-seed contact. In a mixture, include it at a robust rate to prevent plants from spreading too far apart — closer spacing encourages leafy, vegetative growth and reduces the risk of tussock formation.
When to Sow
In common with other perennial grasses, cocksfoot should be sown between March and early May, or in the autumn between August and September.
Grazing Management
Frequent grazing or topping is essential to keep cocksfoot leafy and palatable. If left unmanaged, it will become coarse and develop into tussocks, reducing its value in the sward. There are generally few pest or disease issues, though rust can appear towards the end of autumn.
Identifying the Crop
Seed: A light, narrow, and thin seed with a smooth, papery texture. Beige to pale yellow in colour, approximately 4 mm in length.
Mature plant: Dark bluish-green, with long flat leaves (2–14 mm wide) that narrow to a point and have a prominent keel. White ligules are long (2–10 mm) with finely toothed, torn edges. Leaf sheaths are strongly compressed — often described as ‘folded’. The panicle is a dense, one-sided mass of spikelets, bluish-purple early in the season. Plant height ranges from 15–140 cm. Flowers from May to September.
Works Well With
Cocksfoot pairs particularly well with red clover, where the combination is highly effective at suppressing weeds. It also performs well as a drought-tolerant component in both grazing and cutting mixtures.
Ready to Sow Cocksfoot?
Cocksfoot features in our Climate Smart Restore overseeding mixture, designed to improve sward diversity and resilience: