BaleMore Sudangrass

CHARACTERISTICS:

1 = Poor; 5 = Excellent

Recovery After Cutting: 3
Leaf Disease Resistance: 3
Sugarcane Aphid Tolerance: 1
Single Silage Cut Suitability: 2
Rapid Dry Down: 4

Uses:

• Grazing – Recommended beginning height is 18-24 in. with a stop height of 6-8 in. (or at least 2 nodes remaining)
• Hay/Baleage – more suitable than sorghum x sudangrass for dry hay – optimal timing is 40 days or 40 in.
• Dense stands offer multiple cover crop advantages – from weed suppression to nematode control
• Emergency hay or pasture option

SEEDING:

Planting Time:
May-July
Emergence (days): 10

Seeding Information:
Seeds/lb.: 35-40,000
Soil Temperature: 60 F
Depth (in.): 3/4 – 1 1/2
Maturity: Early Med
Dryland Seeding (lbs./acre): 15-25
Irrigation/Hi-Rain Seeding (lbs./acre): 20-35

• Can be no-tilled into the stubble of winter and spring crops

MANAGEMENT:

Fertility:

• Under favorable conditions, 1-1.25 lbs. of nitrogen/day of planned growth should be available for ultimate growth, with little risk for nitrate poisoning. For example, for a planned 40 day harvest, 40-45 lbs. of N should be available.
• Fertility requirements are similar to those of corn silage

Harvest & Management Tips:

• Dry hay and/or baleage are applicable where and when proper harvest management is followed. Dry hay is suited for areas with less moisture and humidity; baleage offers more flexibility in all other areas.
• Harvest at proper moisture (yield and quality are maximized between 60-72%)
• Wide windows are required for baleage products to ensure rapid dry down
• For silage, keep chop length uniform (around 1/2 in.)

Avoiding Nitrate & Prussic Acid Poisoning:

• Do not harvest drought stricken plants within four days following a heavy rain
• Do not apply N prior to expected drought periods
• If in doubt, cut at higher stubble height as nitrates tend to accumulate in the lower stalk
• If high prussic acid is found, wait one month prior to feeding. Unlike excessive nitrates, prussic acid will escape from the plant over time.
• When questions about livestock safety remain, get forage tested promptly