Does Sudan grass make good hay?
Sudangrass – grows from 4 to 7 feet tall, has leaves about 1⁄2 inch wide and stems about 1⁄4 inch in diameter. It can be harvested as pasture, green chop, hay, or silage. Yields have ranged from 3 to 5 tons/A dry matter. The smaller stems give it better drying characteristics than other sorghums for hay making.
Is Sudan grass good for cattle?
All Sudan/Sorghum forages are good choices for dairy and beef cattle feed. The choice of forage will be heavily dependent on seasonal needs and intended harvest management @ silage, pasture, green-chop, etc. The concern is reduced when the forage is harvested as hay.
What is forage sorghum hybrids?
In general, forage sorghum hybrids are similar to grain sorghum but are taller, leafier and may produce less grain. Forage sorghums can range anywhere from 6-14 feet in height. Milking and feeding trials have shown that forage sorghum silage can be equal to corn in milk production and cattle gain.
How long does it take for Sudan grass to come up?
14 to 21 days
Sudangrass is normally planted in late spring when the soil has become warm and exceeds 65º F. When soil temperatures at planting are from 50 to 60º F, sudangrass germination drops to 25-60%, and plants require 14 to 21 days to emerge.
Can you feed Sudan hay to horses?
Sorghum-sudan grass isn’t a common horse feed, but you can feed it during droughts, especially when other forage is limited. If buying sorghum-sudangrass during a drought year, test the forage for cyanide and nitrate content before feeding it. Don’t feed forage positive for cyanide.
How do you plant Sudan grass?
In early to mid-June, plant the sorghum-sudangrass. Drill at 35 to 40 lb per acre, as deep as 2 inches to reach moist soil. If surface moisture is adequate, broadcasting the seed is an option; however, increase the rate to 45 to 50 lb per acre.
How much is Sudan seed per acre?
PLANTING RATES: Sudangrass should be planted at a rate of 120 to 150 pounds of seed per acre. This high seeding rate produces finer-stemmed hay that is desirable for export to Japan.
How thick do you plant Sudan grass?
Seeding depth should be between 1⁄2 and 1 inch. Seeding depths greater than 1 inch should be avoided. Grazing should be initiated when these grasses are at least 20 inches tall. Cut for hay or wilted silage once stands reach 30 to 40 inches.
Can horses eat forage sorghum?
Grain hays comprised of sorghum grass and Johnson grass hay should NOT be fed to horses due to the toxicity levels of these plants. All classes of Sudan grasses and associated hybrids have toxicity levels that make them unfit for horse feed.
Is sorghum hay good for cattle?
Sorghum, both grain and forage, is an important feedstuff for livestock. Sorghum grain can be utilized in the rations of beef cattle as a replacement for corn. Although, research has shown sor- ghum grain to be comparable to corn in beef finishing diets, the market often values sorghum less than corn.
How much does Sudan grass cost?
Sorghum – Sudangrass Clover Grass Seed
| Item# | Item Name | Our Price |
|---|---|---|
| 40329-11 | Sorghum – Sudangrass – 1 lb | $2.25 |
| 40329-14 | Sorghum – Sudangrass – 10 lb | $20.63 |
| 40329-15 | Sorghum – Sudangrass – 25 lb | $32.81 |
| 40329-16 | Sorghum – Sudangrass – 50 lb | $56.25 |
When can I plant Sudan grass?
All sorghum- and sudangrass-related species produce compounds that inhibit certain plants and nematodes. They are not frost tolerant, and should be planted after the soil warms in spring or in summer at least six weeks before first frost.
When can you grazing sorghum?
Sorghum-sudan hybrids usually have a little more prussic acid risk, so wait until they are 20 to 24 inches tall. Now – pearl millet does not contain prussic acid so if you planted millet these grazing precautions aren’t needed. Pearl millet can be grazed when it reaches 12 to 15 inches tall.
What is the difference between sorghum and sudangrass?
Sudangrass hybrids are available that are slightly larger and higher yielding. Sorghum-sudangrass Hybrids – are intermediate in plant size between sorghum and sudangrass. Yield is generally less than that for forage sorghums but similar or slightly higher than sudangrass.
Can sheep and cattle eat sorghum and sudangrass?
This is usually not a problem for cattle, but sheep grazing or being fed sorghum and sudangrass forage should have access to a mineral mixture containing molybdenum and no additional copper.
Does sudangrass have more protein than corn silage?
Sudangrass grazed in its early vegetative stage contains as much available energy as corn silage and considerably more protein. However, mature sudangrasses and most sorghum and sudangrass silages are 15-20% lower in available energy than corn silage.