T-587 Bluestem

T-587 is an introduced perennial warm season old world bluestem grass. It is a high forage producer and is persistent under heavy grazing. T-587 is widely adapted to the diverse climate and soils of Texas and is useful as pasture for grazing, range for wildlife, and stabilizing critically eroded areas. 

T-587 was selected at the SCS nursery in San Antonio, Tx. It was increased as T-587 at the James E. "Bud" Smith Plant Materials Center in Knox City, Tx. T-587 comes from several selections of old world bluestems in the early 1950s made by Dr. J.R. Harlan. Seed from 50 different accessions, those thought to have the least cold tolerance, were harvested as a composite crop and then planted for increase. Winter temperatures from 1962 - 1980 removed several plants resulting in an unidentifiable composite. T-587 is more cold-tolerant than Gordo, Medio, and Kleberg and leafier than King Ranch. It was officially released in 1981 by the SCS and the Texas Agricultural Extension Service.