Native warm-season grasses to offset the ‘summer slump’
SWITCHGRASS -- Switchgrass is a native grass that helps fill a seasonal forage gap. Taken June 25, 2014, at the University of Arkansas Watershed Research and Education Center. (U of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture image by Dirk Philipp.
Fast Facts:
- Native warm-season grasses can fill the production gaps left by the cool-season grasses
- Native grasses offer more cover for wildlife
- They are more frugal in terms of fertilizer and water use
(310 words)
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Native warm-season grasses, such as switchgrass, eastern gamagrass, little or big bluestem, and indiangrass can be the answer to fill production gaps caused by summer dormancy of cool-season grasses.
During the summer, when tall fescue, which is widely used across the southeastern U.S., start to struggle with the heat, native warm-season grasses can complement a forage program, said Dirk Philipp, an assistant professor for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture
“They are well adapted to the region, including climate and soil, weed and pest pressure,” he said.
Natives can grow on a wider range of soils, even poorly drained and thin soils on ridge tops.
Although these native grasses are generally more difficult to establish, Philipp said they could possibly survive and recover from a severe drought better than non-native forages. Their root system can reach a depth of up to 12 feet.
“Native grasses still provide forage production at reasonable high nutritive values compared to tall fescue, which is a cool-season perennial,” he said.
Native grasses also offer more cover for wildlife than non-native forage grasses do. “This may be important for the increasing amount of farms and properties that expand into hunting business,” Philipp said.
They are more frugal in terms of fertilizer, water use, and herbicide use.
Philipp offers a couple things that farmers need to remember in establishing native grasses.
Since they grow quickly during late spring and early summer, the management input is higher in terms of maintaining appropriate stocking rates, Philipp said.
As for livestock gazing, he said big bluestem is found to be more suitable because it does not grow as quickly as switchgrass during late spring and early summer.
Stubble heights should be kept between 15-18 inches to avoid stem growth and being overgrazed.
September 1 should be the last time of the year for cattle to graze native warm season grasses.
For more information about native warm-season grasses, visit www.uaex.uada.edu or contact your county extension office.
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers its programs to all eligible persons regardless of race, color, national origin, religion, gender, age, disability, marital or veteran status, or any other legally protected status, and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
By Kezia Nanda
Cooperative Extension Service
U of A System Division of Agriculture
Media Contact: Mary Hightower
Dir. of Communication Services
U of A Division of Agriculture
Cooperative Extension Service
(501) 671-2126
mhightower@uada.edu
Related Links