Improved animal performance High yielding Renovating cool season pasture Double cropping system Emergency situations “Salvage crop”

Advantages of Sudangrass

Disadvantages of Sudangrass

Management Economics Crop failure Toxicities

Brown Midrib Gene

Genetic mutation found in grass species

Reduces lignin in plant cell walls and vascular tissue

Improves fiber and whole plant digestibility

Brown Midrib Gene

Color is only a marker Intensity of color is not

indicator of forage quality

Color varies from reddish-brown to dark brown and is visibly evident on stems and leaves.

Conventional vs. BMR

ADG = 2.94 lbs.

Gain/A = 337 lbs.

ADG = 2.94 lbs.

Gain/A = 337 lbs.ADG = 2.62 lbs.

Gain/A = 300 lbs.

ADG = 2.62 lbs.

Gain/A = 300 lbs.

Extra $22/A Extra $22/A

Establishment Planting dates Late April-Late July (Southeast)

Soil Temperature must be 60°-65° at planting Planting depth 0.5-1.0 inches Fertilizer

Lime, P, and K according to soil test Apply 60 units/N after germination and another 60/N

after hay harvest or after 60 days of grazing Seeding Rate

Drilled 25-30 lb/A Broadcast 30-40 lb/A

No-till or Prepared seed bed

Hay Management Harvest height 30-40 in. (just prior to

seed-head emergence) Stubble of 6-8 in. for quicker re-

growth and drying Harvest with a hay conditioner Three to four cutting/year will vary

with the weather, fertilization, and planting date

Yields 2 to 5 tons/season

Silage Management

Harvest in the boot stage (just before seed head emergence)

Wilt down to 65 % moisture before placing in silo

Chopping finely (1/4 to 1/2 in.) and packing tightly will improve silage quality

Target Grazing Heights

10

20

5

15

25

Pregrazing height 20 – 24”

Pregrazing height 20 – 24” Postgrazin

g height 8-10”

Postgrazing height

8-10”

Grazing Management Stocking rate

2 to 3 beef cow w/calves or dairy cows 3 to 5 stocker calves

Continuous grazing Not a good method Requires one-half more acreage as compared to

other grazing systems Limit grazing

3-4 hours/day Reduces trampling

Grazing Management Rotational grazing

Rotate every 7-10 days Increases utilization and efficiency

Strip grazing Using an electric fence to allow cattle access

to only a small strip of pasture Provide livestock with 4-7 days worth of

grazing Using a back fence will allow grazed area time

to re-grow

Strip Grazing

May need to May need to clip or hayclip or hayMay need to May need to clip or hayclip or hay

Potential issues with Sudangrass

Prussic Acid

Nitrate Poisoning

Prussic Acid Interferes with red blood cells transfer of oxygen Symptoms occur 10-15 min after consuming forage

containing prussic acid and include: excessive salivation, rapid breathing, muscle spasms, and stagers

Occurs immediately after frost Pasture should not be grazed for 7 – 10 days Young plants, suckers, and growth during dry weather

can contain high levels of prussic acid Not a problem in hay or silage

Nitrate Poisoning Interferes with oxygen transfer Animal symptoms: labored breathing, muscle tremors

and staggering Membranes of the eyes and mouth are bluish because

of the lack of oxygen Nitrates accumulate during drought or after frost

particularly if fertilized just prior Wet pastures during cool cloudy weather Nitrates are stable in hay Levels 5,000 to 15,000 are dangerous and require

restricted feeding Levels over 15,000 are toxic