Summer Forage options for Beef Cattle in the Southeastern US

1. Summer Forages
Scott Sell – Area Livestock Agent
Science. Service. Solutions.©

2. Classes of Summer Forages
Perennials
Annuals

3. Summer Grazing in SC
• Permanent Summer Perennials
– Hybrid Bermudas
•
•
•
•
Tift 85
Coastal
Russell
Tift 44/Tift 78/Alecia – By gone – poor performers
– Bahia
• Pensacola – Most common
• Tifton 9
• Tift Quik

4. Grass Quality
Table 1. Typical fertilizer and lime recommendations, and the approximate forage quality, carrying capacity, and stocker gains that can be expected when recommended varieties of
bahiagrass, bermudagrass, and tall fescue are used as the primary pasture species.
Fertilizer Recommendations1
N
P2O5
K2O
Annual Lime Needed
— (lbs/acre) —
(tons/acre)
Typical
Forage
Quality2
Range in
Forage
Quality
— (RFQ)—
Carrying
Capacity
Average
Daily Gains Stocker Cattle
(AU3/acre/yr)
(lbs/head/day)
Bahiagrass
75-175
40
40
0.3-0.5
85-90
75-110
0.75-1.25
0.7-1.0
Bermudagrass
150-250
30
65
0.3-0.5
90-100
80-140
1.00-1.50
1.5-1.8
1
Assumes medium levels of phosphorus and potassium in the soil test.
The forage quality values here are estimated based on NDF and digestibility estimates in the published literature. (RFQ = Relative Forage Quality)
AU = Animal Unit. One animal unit is equivalent to 1,000 lbs.
4 Tall fescue is not recommended for pastures in the Coastal Plain. Approximations for animal performance for tall fescue in this table assume the use of a recommended novel-endophyte infected variety.
2
3

6. Tifton 9 Vs. Pensacola
• 3 Year Side by Side Comparison
– Tifton 9 – 47% more Forage
– Tifton 9 – 17% more days of grazing
– Same inputs
Burton; Gates and Hill - 2000

7. Tifton 9 Vs. TifQuik
• Tifton 9—This cultivar was developed and released by the
University of Georgia and the U.S. Department of Agriculture
(USDA) in 1989 by Glenn Burton. Tifton 9 is a selection from
Pensacola that was found to have superior yields in early
spring and late fall. Tifton 9 is estimated to occupy 10% of the
bahiagrass acreage in Florida.
• TifQuik—This cultivar, recently released by the USDA and the
University of Georgia, has fewer hard seeds and results in a
more rapid or "quick" stand establishment. In the spring, it
grows faster than Tifton 9 or Pensacola because of increased
seedling emergence.
Newman et al. 2008, University of Florida

8. TifQuik
• Variant/Descendant of Tifton-9
Seeding Rates
Bahia Grass Seeding Rates
(lb/acre)
• Superior seedling vigor and quicker stand formation
• Yield
Pensacola potential and other characteristics of TifQuik are
20–30
essentially the same as Tifton-9
Argentine
20–30
• Seeding rate Tifton-9 and TifQuik
Tifton 9
15–20
• Around $185 - $200/40 lb Bag
• Use
UF-Riata as a peanut rotation
15–20
TifQuik
15-20
Adapted from data from Newman et al. 2008, University of Florida

9. Tifton 9 And Tift Quik Establishment
• Have your soil tested.
• Apply 50 pounds per acre of nitrogen plus adequate phosphorous and
potassium.
• Prepare a firm weed-free seed bed.
• Plant seed 1/2 inch deep with a grain drill or grass seeder.
• Plant in early spring to give a full summer season for establishment.
• Pack the soil after planting with a very heavy roller or the tractor to keep
soil moist around the seed or use a Cultipacker – Very Important
• Control weeds with mowing or limited grazing to keep them down close
to the top bahiagrass leaves.
• An application of 2,4-D will control broad leaf weeds – When a minimum
of 6 inches tall.
Burton; Gates and Hill - 2000

10. Bahia Planting Rates
Bahiagrass Seeding Rates
Seeding Rates
(lb/acre)
Pensacola
20–30
Argentine
20–30
Tifton 9
15–20
UF-Riata
15–20
TifQuik
15-20
Adapted from data from Newman et al. 2008, University of Florida

11. Peanut/Cotton/Bahia Rotation
Peanut yield for two crop rotations in FL during 2003 and 2004.
2003
2004
Rotation
lbs/acre
Bahiagrass-BahiagrassPeanut-Cotton
2783
3281
Peanut-Cotton-Cotton
1958
2415

13. Hybrid Bermuda Grasses
Adaptation
Grown in all areas except in mountains. Varieties differ in cold
hardiness. Best adapted on sandy soils but will do well on clay soils.
Hybrids are higher yielding, deeper rooted, and more drought
tolerant than common bermudagrass. Tolerant of close grazing. Not
tolerant of poor drainage.
Establishment
Seeded types - 5 to 10 lb/A in spring.
Hybrids - March-April with sprigs at 10 bu/A
Varieties
Sprigged: Tifton 85, Russell.
Seeded types/blends: Cheyenne II, Ranchero Frio, Sungrazer

14. Varieties by Area
Table 1b. Summary of the characteristics of the primary vegetatively
propagated (sprigged) bermudagrasses in Georgia.
Recommended for:
Mountain
Upper
Piedmont
Midlands
Coastal
Plain
Alicia (Alecia)
X
X
X
X
Coastal
X
YES
YES
YES
Coastcross II
ND*
YES
YES
YES
Russell
YES
YES
YES
YES
Tifton 44
X
X
X
X
Tifton 78
X
X
X
X
YES
YES
YES
Variety
Tifton 85
* Insufficient data exists to accurately estimate these parameters. Coastcross
II remains a relatively new variety and has not yet been evaluated as
rigorously as other hybrids.
Hancock Et. Al., UGA, 2012

15. Bermuda Grass Performance
Table 1a. Summary of the characteristics of the primary vegetatively propagated (sprigged) bermudagrasses in Georgia.
Overall Rating
Yield*
Digestibility**
Winter Hardiness
Persistence
Leaf Spot Resistance
Alicia (Alecia)
tt3
100
P
G
P
P
Coastal
ttt3
100
F
G
G
E
Coastcross II
tttt3
135
E
G
ND***
ND
Russell
tttt3
130
G
E
E
G
Tifton 44
tttt
90
G
E
G
E
Tifton 78
ttt
120
E
F
F
E
Tifton 85
ttttt
135
E
F
E
E
Variety
Ratings: E = Excellent, G = Good, F = Fair, P = Poor.
* Yields are expressed as a percent of yields from Coastal.
** Based on in vitro dry matter digestibility.
*** Insufficient data exists to accurately estimate these parameters. Coastcross II remains a relatively new variety and has not yet been evaluated
as rigorously as other hybrids.
Hancock Et. Al., UGA 2012

16. Yield Comparison – Vs. Coastal
Yield/Ac Based on % of Coastal Yield
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Alicia
(Alecia)
Coastal Coastcross Russell
II
Hancock Et. Al., UGA, 2012
Tifton 44 Tifton 78 Tifton 85

17. Seeded Bermudas
Table 3a. Summary of the characteristics of the primary seeded bermudagrasses in Georgia.
Variety
Overall Rating
Yield*
Winter Hardiness
Persistence
Giant (NK37)
3
55
P
P
Cheyenne**
ttt
60
G
E
CD90160
ttt
60
G
E
KF-194
ttt
60
G
E
Wrangler
t3
55
E
F
Common
t
50
G
G
Ratings: E = Excellent, G = Good, F = Fair, P = Poor.
*Yields are expressed as a percent of yields from Coastal.
**The original Cheyenne is no longer being sold. Cheyenne II, a variant of Cheyenne (selected
for higher seed yield), is currently being marketed. Cheyenne II is expected to have
characteristics similar to Cheyenne.

18. Yield Comparison – Vs. Coastal
Seeded Vs. Sprigged
Yield/Ac Based on % of Coastal Yield
160
140
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
Sprigged Varieties
Hancock Et. Al., UGA, 2012
Seeded Varieties

19. Establishment
• Hybrid bermudagrasses:
– (a) dormant rhizomes - December to early
March
– (b) Rhizomes with green tops – spring (after
last freeze) to early August
– (c) Tops/Green stems - Early June to August

20. Establishment Cont.
• 10 Bu/Acre – Approx
• Weed Control
– Chemical – New Alternatives –
• Prowl H2O
• Pastora
– Grazing/Mowing

21. 2 Months After Planting
2nd year after discing

23. Bermuda Grass Stem Maggot
•
•
•
•
•
•
Atherigona reversura
Native to Japan, Indonesia, India, and Hawaii
First found in GA – 2010
First record of this species in North America
Death of Top Leaves to Growing point
Cutting/harvest management only option right
now
• Insecticides – Unsuccessful w/o multiple
treatments – Karate Etc.
D. Hancock, UGA

24. Bermuda Grass Stem Maggot
T. Wilson, UF Extension

25. Summer Grazing in SC
• Summer Annuals
– Millet
– Sorghum-Sudan Type
– Cow Peas
– Forage Soybeans

26. Millets/Soghums/Sudans – Planting Times and Rates
Planting dates and seeding rates for selected warm season annual grasses.
Seeding Rate
Drilled
Pearl Millet
April 15 – July 15
April 1 – August 1
UP
May 1 – July 15
MDLS
April 15 – August 1
CP
April 1 – August 15
UP
May 1 – July 1
MDLS
April 15 – July 15
CP
April 1 – August 1
UP
April 25 – May 15
MDLS
April 15 – May 15
CP
Forage Sorghum
May 1 – July 1
CP
Sudangrass
UP
MDLS
Sorghum x Sudan Hybrids
April 15 – June 1
* UP Upstate; MDLS = MidLands; CP = Coastal Plain Region.
Hancock, UGA
—— lbs. of PLS/acre ——
Planting Dates*
Species
Broadcast
10–15
25–30
15–20
20–25
20–25
30–40
15–20
20–25

27. Variety Trials Tifton

28. Forage Sorghum
Tif-Leaf 3
Sorghum-Sudan

29. Cow Peas for Forage

30. • Cowpea (Vigna unguiculata [L.] Walp.
ssp.) unguiculata
• Once widely grown in North Florida as a hay
or green manure
• Well adapted to sandy, and low fertility soils.
• It is now used in mixtures with pearl millet
or sorghum-sudangrass for late
summer/early fall grazing and for wildlife
feed plots.

31. • Establishment:
• Very tolerant to drought, shade, and low fertility and acid soils
• Cowpea can be broadcast at rates of 100 to 120 lb/ac between April 1 and
July 31
• cover with light disking or drilled at rates of 30 to 40 lbs/ac to a depth of 11.5 inches.
• Fertilization:
• N is not required.
• At least 27 lb P/acre and 40 lb K/acre.
• Grazing/Hay Management:
• Yields ranging from 2 to 3.5 tons/ac.
• Cowpea can also be used for the production of high quality hay or
silage, when mixed with crops such as corn or sorghum, or it can be used
for rotational grazing.
• Forage Quality:
• Protein (20 to 25%)
• Varieties/Cultivars:
• Mississippi Pinkeye Purple
• Colossus
• Freezegreen
• Alabama Giant Blackeye.

32. Forage Soybeans
• Early season forage tested 16-22% protein
• Silage made from plants harvested later ranged from 21 to 28%
protein.
• Yields ranged from 3.2 to 3.5 tons/acre dry matter.
• Two new forage soybean varieties have the potential to produce
more than 9 tons of dry matter per acre with up to 28%
protein, university research has shown.
• The Roundup Ready varieties — Large Lad and Big Fellow

34. RR Varieties – For Hay

35. Days
of
age
Growth
stage
%DM
lb/acre
%DM
75
50% bloom
24
3664
82
75% bloom
27
89
95% bloom
96
Dry matter yield
Crude protein
Fat
NDF
lb/acre
%DM
%DM
%DM
lb/acre
17.8
64/
2.1
54.5
59.0
2162
4000
17.0
675
2.2
53.9
58.2
2328
27
4501
16.7
749
2.4
56.7
59.8
2692
Pods .5 full
26
5216
18.4
960
2.9
50.8
60.3
3145
103
Pods .66
full
26
5061
19.4
982
3.7
50.2
61.4
3107
110
Pods .75
full
26
5520
20.8
1147
5.4
48.9
60.2
3323
117
Pods .90
full
27
7105
20.9
1483
6.2
46.6
60.8
4320
124
30% leaf
drop
29
6129
21.3
1307
7.4
43.0
61.0
3738
131
85% leaf
drop
35
5789
22.3
1293
8.5
43.9
60.3
3490
138
100% leaf
drop
56
4357
24.6
1072
9.2
41.9
60.0
2614
*The in vitro digestible organic matter (IVDOM) was determined by artificial rumen technique.
Bragg variety soybeans planted June 6, Tifton, GA. Data from: J.C. Johnson, Jr., et. al., Tifton, GA.
IVDOM*

36. Credits
•
•
•
•
•
UGA Extension – Dr. Dennis Hancock
UGA Crop & Soil Sciences
Mississippi State Extension
University of Florida Extension
Clemson Extension

37. Contact info
• Scott Sell
– Area Livestock Agent – Edisto EREC
– Cell 803-450-0995
– Email: gsell@clemson.edu
– Bull Test Facebook:
• https://www.facebook.com/edistobulltest