Summer Annual Forages

Sudangrass, Sudan-sorghum hybrids, hybrid Sudangrass and hybrid pearl millet are summer annual forages. They all produce a lot of forage in a short period of time in late spring and summer. Of the summer annuals, hybrid pearl millet is the best to graze. When drilled at 10 pounds of seed per acre, it is ready to graze when it is 16 to 18 inches tall. It is very leafy and animals perform well. It does not contain prussic acid, but can accumulate nitrates under drought conditions. The Sudangrass annuals produce more forage than pearl millet, but two-thirds of the weight is in the stalk of the plant. Those forages are best used for hay (when cut early) or greenchop. All summer annuals respond to nitrogen. Apply 50 pounds of nitrogen at planting, and another 50 pounds six weeks later.

Native Rangeland

This is a true native mix of forage species which has been in existence since time began. Developed under the climate that exists, it has experienced drought, floods, fire, periods of destructive grazing and long rest periods. Today's native rangeland, from the Flint Hills east, is a diversity of plants - warm- and cool-season, grass and broadleaf, some annual and perennial. We usually say that big bluestem, little bluestem, indiangrass, switchgrass and sideoats grama are the grasses, when in reality the system may contain over 200 plant species. Fire is an important management tool today. Brush control and reduction of spot grazing are important reasons for its employment. In the case of yearling cattle, annual burns are important for animal performance. For cows, three consecutive years of fire are necessary for good brush control. The best way to improve rangeland is intensive early stocking or to do double-stock until July 15, and then remove all cattle. Winter grazing does not hurt native rangeland, but may reduce fuel supply for spring burn.

Crabgrass

This can be a valuable summer forage, too. Crabgrass is not native to the United States, but probably came in with European immigrants as a contaminant in seed for feedstuffs. Today, there is even a registered variety named Red River. Common or unnamed crabgrass is not as productive as Red River. Crabgrass is used for the forage production during the summer months. If planted, crabgrass will produce year after year by volunteering. It works very well in a winter cereal crabgrass rotation. Please discuss production details with your county agricultural agent.

Bermudagrass

A highly productive warm-season perennial, limited to about 12 counties in south central and southeast Kansas. A native of Africa, the plant lacks winter hardiness in most of Kansas. However, variety development continues to add to the production area. Stands are generally established by springing roots. Only one variety, Guyman, can be seeded and survival expected. Once established, nitrogen should be split into three applications: first in late April (75 pounds N); second, early June (50 pounds N); and third, mid-July (50 pounds N). Can be cut for hay two or three times or grazed with high stocking rates. Probably best for cows because individual animal performance on stockers can be less than 1.5 pounds per day; but that is not to say that it cannot be improved with management.

Forage Plant Selection

There are no all season forage plants available. Producers should recognize the limitation of plant seasonality as well as take advantage of its benefits. Complementary forage systems that incorporate both cool- and warm-season plants (in separate pastures) provide nearly yearlong grazing.

Other Warm-Season Forages

Eastern gama grass, alfalfa and other legumes offer a wide selection of forage crops to choose from.

Publications

Eastern Gama Grass

Bermudagrass

Old World Bluestem

Establishing Native Grasses

Legumes for Pasture

Small Grain Cereals as Forage: Crop Selection

Brassicas & Chicory for Forages

Utilizing Crabgrass as Forage

Interseeding Winter Cereal Crops in Bermudagrass