The new forage on the block The Blacks were introduced to switchgrass back in 2008 during the heyday of the bioenergy program, when big companies contracted farmland to grow biomass crops for research and development on producing ethanol and other biofuels. It’s one of the dominant species of the tallgrass prairie, and can grow up to six feet tall. Performs well on a wide range of soils. A research project has been designed to examine the economic feasibility of utilizing switchgrass in a dual-purpose production system that allows for 1) springtime grazing by stocker cattle and 2) fall biomass production that can be harvested and delivered to a … L.), a warm-season grass native across much of eastern North America (Hitchcock, 1935), was once an important component of the tallgrass prairie biome throughout its range, but was largely eliminated by cultivation In digestibility trials conducted at Penn State over a three-year period, warm-season grasses were 65 percent digestible and orchardgrass was 68 percent digestible. Switchgrass is often used as hay for cattle as they find it nutritious and palatable. S. witchgrass (Panicum virgatum. Its high yield and quality allow it to be used in feeding programs for many different types of livestock. 2015; 2016). After seedheads emerge, nutrient levels become low and switchgrass becomes less acceptable as pasture. Switchgrass is a warm-season perennial bunchgrass native to much of the United States. Thus cattle weight gains are high when both pasture types are used in a rotational grazing system . Start grazing when switchgrass is 10 to 12 inches tall and graze heavily so it is grazed down to about 4 inches in 2 to 3 weeks. That’s good quality for livestock. Performs well on a wide range of soils. Management of switchgrass (P&cum virgatum L.) for both forage and seed would improve the diversity of options livestock producers have for their stands. In the case of over-mature, stemmy plants or species such as broomsedge, that is not an unreasonable statement. Forage species with greater nutritive value have the potential to positively affect animal responses. P roductivity, quality of the harvested herbage, and persistence of switchgrass were investigated as a function … this forage allows the producer an opportunity to diversify utilization of establishing switchgrass as biorefiner-ies are developed. This workshop is led by regional manager for Southeast AgriSeeds, Paige Smart. There are two basic types of switchgrass – upland and lowland, which is considerably taller. High-quality ethanol feedstock is low in nitrogen content and high in cellulose. Generally, grazing of switchgrass needs to begin before the cool-season forage is depleted or switchgrass will be too far ahead of the cattle. Before seedheads develop, forage quality is high and palat-ability good. With proper management a Switchgrass pasture can produce between 3,000 and 4,000 pounds of forage per acre or higher. Our pasture grass seed mixture will perform in extremely hot climates such as Florida as well as moderate climates such as Georgia, South Carolina, Alabama, Mississippi, Louisiana, and Eastern Texas. As forage, Switchgrass provides excellent feed for livestock and other animals. Beginning later will result in poor animal acceptance and gains. No Market Yet For Switchgrass Biomass, Hay and Forage Grower magazine, 2009 - Article on the University of Kentucky four-year-long switchgrass pilot project designed to help farmers evaluate options for planting, growing, harvesting, transporting and processing the switchgrass. A thick stand of Switchgrass makes excellent winter and early spring wildlife cover because of its ability to remain in an upright position when covered with snow or ice. Switchgrass is a warm-season perennial bunchgrass native to much of the United States. In the Southeast, switchgrass is primarily used for cattle pasture, and less often cut for hay . Information is limited on the response of these grasses to defoliation, especially the effect of harvest management on regrowth. Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) and Caucasian bluestem [Bothriochloa caucasica (Trin.)C.E. Switchgrass has also been tapped as forage for beef cattle. It is essential to choose the appropriate crop species for the needed yield, quality, and persistence. But the later you wait to harvest it, the lower the protein. Management of switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.) for both forage and seed would improve the diversity of options livestock producers have for their stands. Defoliation management of switchgrass as a forage and bioenergy crop Switchgrass can be used as a dual-purpose crop, as forage and bioenergy feedstock. Valuable as livestock forage, wildlife habitat, erosion control and biofuel source. Using Switchgrass as Forage While there has been a great deal of media attention on the merits of switchgrass as a biofuel feedstock, many are less familiar with the potential of switchgrass as a forage … Switchgrass is an excellent forage for cattle; however, it has shown toxicity in horses, sheep, and goats through chemical compounds known as saponins, which cause photosensitivity and liver damage in these animals. He talked about it's attributes as far as being used for bio-fuel, however, his talk about switchgrass as a cattle forage is what really got my attention. This publication details strategies for planting, establishing and managing stands of switchgrass. Switchgrass must be grazed before seedheads develop. Growth Habit: Native warm-season perennial. INTRODUCTION Switchgrass is a native, warm season, perennial, bunch grass with attributes that make it valuable for conservation plantings, livestock forage, and biomass energy production (Vogel 1996, Ball et al., 2002). Sat in on a presentation today by one of the Noble Foundation guys regarding switchgrass. They found average daily growth for steers grazing switchgrass during summer was 66% higher switchgrass and significantly improved forage qualities. Switchgrass for Forage and Bioenergy. It is most commonly found in prairie lowlands, but will grow under wide range of climatic conditions. It’s one of the dominant species of the tallgrass prairie, and can grow up to six feet tall. I often hear people describe natives as “low-quality” forages. A breakfast biscuit, compliments of Wampler’s, will be served to all participants and lunch is provided as well; however, advance reservations are required. Switchgrass is an excellent crop for bioenergy fuel, and although it is toxic to horses, sheep, and goats, cattle have no difficulty in processing this abundant plant. Our objective was to evaluate how timing of the forage harvest and N applications can be used to manage switchgrass for both forage … Ani-mals are reluctant to eat mature switchgrass and may refuse it entirely if other feed is available. On the other hand, when it comes to big and little bluestem, indiangrass or even switchgrass, cattle perform very well (Table 1). When managed properly, warm-season grass hay can provide good quality forage, especially for beef cattle. Comparing beef cattle performance from grazing various warm-season grasses, Burns et al. Our objective was to evaluate how timing of the forage harvest and N applications can be used to manage switchgrass for both forage … Switchgrass is a tall-growing, warm-season, perennial grass that provides forage for livestock, but also excellent erosion control and food and cover for wildlife. (1984) compared steer performance when grazing switchgrass to the sequential grazing of tall fescue and bermudagrass (starting June 1) in North Carolina. They graze their cattle on KT-31 fescue, volunteer dallasgrass and, as of the last few years, switchgrass. Switchgrass is a native, warm-season, perennial, ... BERMUDAGRASS Wrangler bermudagrass is a warm-season perennial sod-forming grass with improved cold tolerance and forage yield for the production of livestock and soil conservation practices in the transition zone of the United States. This monthly publication is tailored for all segments of the beef industry and consistently provides compelling features and photography, timely news, expert industry voices and entertaining commentary. Forages and grazing. Work done on two switchgrass varieties, Cave-in-Rock and Alamo, showed that if either is harvested early enough in the year, “you can get a protein content that is 12 percent to 14 percent protein. It can be grazed or fed as hay to cattle, but its potential as forage for other animals may be limited by saponins, which are chemical compounds produced by switchgrass that can cause health problems in nonruminant animals. Every forage crop follows this same type of curve. Area: N,C,S. Switchgrass is known to contain saponins under some circumstances which can cause photosensitization. Switchgrass is a native, perennial, warm-season, sod-forming tall grass. aging switchgrass for biomass and/or forage utilization. Many factors influence successful forage production, but establishment of the crop is a key to profitability. In terms of forage quality, Keyser says switchgrass can become stemmy, especially the lowland varieties, but it is readily grazed by cattle and produces summer gains of 1.5 – 2.0 lb/day on steers. Usually levels of these compounds are low in switchgrass but levels can be elevated under some environmental conditions and the effects are most pronounced in sheep and goats. In terms of forage quality, Keyser says switchgrass can become stemmy, especially the lowland varieties, but it is readily grazed by cattle and produces summer gains of 1.5 – 2.0 lb/day on steers. Accessions, 2 and 3, were also identified for high biomass production. Producers who are experienced at growing grasses for livestock forage will find that producing switchgrass as an ethanol feedstock necessitates a management regime unlike that utilized to produce quality forages. Hubbard] provide forage during summer when cool‐season grasses in the southern Corn Belt are unproductive. Pasture forages for beef cattle can be roughly divided into five categories—warm-season perennials, warm-season annuals, cool-season perennials, cool-season annuals and legumes for pastures. Progressive Cattle magazine captures the essence of the cattle producer and ranching experience. Methods In 2008, researchers at the Noble Foundation began a three-year study to determine the effects of grazing switchgrass at different stock densi-ties in a dual-purpose stocker cattle Hancock’s Cattle Pasture Grass Seed Mixture has a wide adaptability of soil conditions from Georgia clay type to Florida sandy loam. Research in Tennessee has shown that, if grown exclusively for hay, 4-5 tons per acre are not uncommon. Valuable as livestock forage, wildlife habitat, erosion control and biofuel source. Each of these forage types can meet the nutritional requirements of beef cattle when they are at their peak production (Figure 1). Because it is somewhat shade-tolerant, it is an important forage of thinned-pinelands in the Southeast . Switchgrass is forage grown in Tennessee that could soon be a source for gasoline - possibly reducing our nation's dependance on foreign oil. ... 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