) in order to evaluate the suitability of these species for grazing. All eight species were mob-grazed by sheep at a stocking rate of 30 animals ha -1 . Carbohydrate reserves were estimated by determination of etiolated regrowth. Meadow bromegrass produced the greatest etiolated regrowth and timothy the least. Based on production of etiolated regrowth the grasses were ranked into three groups -meadow bromegrass and intermediate wheatgrass ranked highest, smooth bromegrass, reed canarygrass, slender wheatgrass and orchardgrass ranked intermediate and timothy and tall fescue ranked lowest.