Warm Season Grazing Options

Eve H. Honeycutt

Extension Livestock Agent, Lenoir and Greene Counties

For those of you who may be considering updating your pastures, there are many options to consider. We don’t have many choices for cool season grasses in Eastern NC, but when it starts getting warmer, your options for summer grazing are numerous.

Before we get started, just remember that anything you plant from seed should be planted after the last frost into a well prepared seedbed. Ideally, you should have already taken soil samples to determine if the land needed any lime or micronutrients like phosphorus and potassium.

Annual Grasses are plants that usually only survive one growing season. They are usually cheaper than perennial grasses for that reason. Perennial grasses are more expensive, but if given the right management, these will establish well and can potentially give you a lifetime of excellent grass production.

Annuals:

Pearl Millet: Millet is a great choice for most grazing animals due to it’s fast growth. It resembles the corn plant in its early and vegetative stages, but with much more leaves. Millet should be allowed to grow about 18 inches before grazing, and then don’t allow animals to graze it lower than six inches. Grazing below this point will cause the plant to have poor re-growth and your stand will suffer. Planting rate: Broadcast: 20-25 lbs/ac; Drilled: 15-20 lbs/ac; depth of .5-1.5 inch; plant between April 20- June 20

Sorghum/Sorghum Sudans: These grasses are very similar in look and growth to Millet. The same recommendations for grazing heights for Millet also apply to these. One big difference is that members of the Sorghum family contain dhurrin, a glucoside that breaks down to release hydrocyanic acid also known as prussic acid. This acid is released after the plant is stressed, such as in a drought or after a frost. Prussic acid can be deadly so care should be taken when grazing this type of forage. Planting rate: Broadcast: 35-40 lbs/ac; Drilled: 20-30 lbs/ac; depth of .5-1 inch; plant between April 20- June 20

Perennials:

Bahiagrass: This common grass is frequently found along roadsides because of its fast growth. However, some good varieties do exist that are better for hay and pasture, such as TifQuick, Tifton 9, and Pensacola. After planting, bahiagrass should be allowed to grow 6-8 inches before grazing, and not grazed below 2-3 inches. Planting rate: Broadcast: 15-25 lbs/ac; Drilled: 10-20 lbs/ac; depth of .25-.5 inches; plant between Feb 1 and March 31.

Crabgrass: I know it sounds strange to plant crabgrass, but it is a highly nutritious forage that grows fast and is very tasty to livestock. Crabgrass also produces “runners” or stolons just like bermudagrass, so it will tolerate continuous grazing. Crabgrass seed is very inexpensive but usually has to be ordered over the phone or on the internet from seed companies in the mid-west. After planting, crabgrass should be allowed to grow 6-8 inches before grazing, and not grazed below 2-3 inches. Planting rate: 1-5 pounds per acre at shallow depth 0-.25 inches; plant after last frost through early May.

Bermudagrass: Probably the most common pasture grass in Eastern NC, bermudagrass has a lot of research behind it to help you choose a good variety. Seeded bermudagrass can be expensive because of it’s popularity, but is overall a good choice for all livestock. It tolerates close, continuous grazing because it stores it’s energy in the “runners” and rhizomes under the ground. After planting, bermudagrass should be allowed to grow 6-8 inches before grazing, and not grazed below 2-3 inches. Planting rate: Broadcast 6-8 lbs/ac; Drilled 10-20 lbs/ac; depth .25-.5 inches; plant by April 15- or through July if irrigated.

These are a few options for warm season grazing. If you have any questions, please call your local Extension office.