Sorghum Forages
Members of the sorghum family include sudangrass, sorghum sudangrass hybrids and
sorghums. They flourish under hot conditions and tolerate drought better than corn. They
are not quite as productive and their feeding value is a little less than corn. For
pasture and for hay, sudangrass, with stems about the size of a pencil, is probably the
first choice of the group. Sudangrass will tolerate lower temperatures and poorer
drainage than sorghum or sorghum/sudan hybrids. To cure for hay, sudangrass needs to go
through a conditioner more than once, and even then does not cure as rapidly as regular
hay or oats. For green chop or silage, sorghum/sudan grass hybrids are better than
sudangrass because of their larger plant growth and higher production per acre. The
sorghum family regrows after cutting or grazing.
Sorghums, sudangrass and sorghum/sudan hybrids should be seeded about June 1 at a depth
of 1 to 2.5 inches (2.5 to 4 cm). Delay seeding these crops until soil temperature is
greater than 10 degrees C. For hay, pasture or green chop, 7 to 14 inch (18 to
36 cm) rows are recommended. Fertilizer requirements are about the same as for corn.
Caution:
All members of the sorghum family contain a compound called prussic acid. Normally the
amount is not enough to cause problems. However, new growth, plants suffering from drought
or frosted plants contain much higher levels of prussic acid than normal. As a safety
precaution, none of the sorghum family should be grazed or cut before they are 18 to 24
inches (46 to 61 cm). If frost hits these crops, do not pasture until the frosted plant
material has dried completely.
Weeds can also be a problem in these crops since no recommended herbicides are
available for weed control. Top
Millets
These crops are similar in feeding value to sudangrass but the yield is lower. They
should be sown in early June, broadcast or in rows, at 20 to 25 lbs (22.5 to 28 kg/ha) of
seed per acre. They are easier to cure for hay than sudangrass. Millets can be fairly
productive as a pasture but is not highly adapted for this purpose because they lack
regrowth ability and are subject to grazing injury. They are another crop that would
benefit from the addition of half a bushel of peas per acre.
Siberian millet (foxtail) is better for yield and quality than Proso millet (grain or
crown millet). Siberian millet, often referred to as foxtail millet, has a better leaf to
stem ratio than proso millet. Foxtail millet can be cut for hay 65 to 70 days after
seeding.
Delay seeding of millets until soil temperatures are 10 degrees C.
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Ryegrass
Italian and Westerwold ryegrasses are two forage types that can be grown for pasture
and hay. Italian ryegrass is leafy and reaches a height of up to 16 inches (40 cm) which
makes it suitable as a pasture grass. Westerwold ryegrasses range in height from 16 to 32
inches (40 to 80 cm) and may be used for hay or pasture. Ryegrasses can provide a valuable
addition of forage for fall grazing or harvesting from late summer into the fall season.
Sown at 20 lbs/acre (22.5 kg/ha) in pure stands, or 8 to 10 lbs/acre (9 to 11 kg/ha) with
cereals or legumes, this grass can produce a good growth of excellent pasture in 6 to 8
weeks. This crop can be used to good advantage as a high quality supplementary pasture for
dairy cattle. Ryegrasses require good moisture conditions for yield and regrowth.
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Establishment Tips
Seedbed Preparation
Prepare a fine, firm seedbed. A firm seedbed is essential in order to control seeding
depth. Shallow seeding is preferable for quick emergence and establishment.
Seeding Rates
When planting annuals for pasture or under dry conditions, the upper seeding rates
should be used. Under normal moisture conditions, the level of nitrogen can increase the
stooling rate of a crop. However, under dry conditions plants do not grow as
vigorously, so the seeding rate should be increased to compensate for this lack of
stooling.
Fertility
Have a soil test done to determine what fertilizer rate is needed. Drill in as much
phosphorous and nitrogen fertilizer with the seed as the crop will tolerate (some crops
will not tolerate nitrogen fertilizer in contact with seed). Phosphorous fertilizer will
help to develop a deep and extensive rooting system necessary for the plant to establish
under dry conditions.
Weed Control
Good weed control is necessary for the establishment of annuals for forages. Be aware
of specific weed problems that are present and whether they can be controlled by
recommended herbicides for that crop. Refer to Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives
Guide to Crop Protection.
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Harvesting and Storage
Knowing when to harvest is the key to growing annuals for forages profitably. Crops
should be harvested at the proper stage of maturity and stored at the correct moisture
level.
When annuals are cut or grazed at an early stage, palatability is high, protein is
high, but total yield may be low. If left to maturity, protein is lower and total yield is
higher.
Unrestricted grazing or continual grazing, invariably is wasteful of pasture. Trampling
and soiling losses can be greater than the amount of pasture consumed. This is especially
true in the case of stiff-stalked plants such as corn, sorghum and sorghum sudangrass
hybrids. Even in the case of relatively pasture-tolerant crops, such as oats or rye,
rotational or strip grazing will increase yields and improve quality of pasture.
Remember that all crops growing under stress conditions are subject to nitrate
poisoning and should be tested.
Green chop or zero grazing does require time and equipment, but this may be well
justified when feed is in short supply, and yield and quality are important.
Harvest management will be dependent on many factors. The period of the season when
extra feed is needed, the labor, equipment and storage facilities available, all will have
to be considered in deciding what crops to grow and how to manage them. Consideration of
various crops, their strong points, and weaknesses will help in planning efficient forage
production.
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For more information, contact your local Ag Rep
or Regional Forage Specialist at Manitoba Agriculture, Food and Rural Initiatives.
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