Snowstorm Forage Kochia (Bassia prostrata grisea) was released 2012 by the USDA-ARS and the Utah Agricultural Experiment Station. The source material originated in Uzbekistan. It is grey-green in color. It sets seed about two weeks earlier than Immigrant Forage Kochia and reaches full maturity in early to mid November.
Immigrant Forage Kochia (Bassia prostrate ssp. vivescens) has the ability to considerably increase rangeland productivity. Studies indicate that it can have a sixfold increase. It also provides critical protein for wildlife and livestock in the fall and winter. However, Immigrant is easily covered by snow and can be difficult or impossible to feed in deep snow conditions.
Snowstorm Forage Kochia is considerably taller than Immigrant and grows up to 40″ tall. It was released for its ability to extend above snow level, allowing it to be browsed even in heavy, deep snowpack. The result is better access to forage during fall and winter, effectively extending the grazing season. In field comparisons with Immigrant, Snowstorm was taller, produced more forage and had higher protein content, and better digestibility.
Observations from our growers and ranchers indicate that when given a choice between Snowstorm and Immigrant kochia, cattle prefer the more succulent Immigrant Forage Kochia and will feed on it first. However, this may simply represent a palatability preference and eventually Snowstorm will be consumed by livestock. Snowstorm provides ranchers and land managers a taller forage kochia cultivar capable of increasing carrying capacity and nutritional content of fall and winter range.
