UAM partners in multi-state study on crabgrass pasture establishment
Crabgrass isn’t just a lawn intruder — it’s one of Arkansas’ most popular and nutritious summer forages.
Oct. 6, 2025
By Traci Rushing
U of A System Division of Agriculture – UAM College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural
Resources
Fast Facts:
- Kubesch is seeding one-acre plots of crabgrass to determine best establishment methods, estimate the feasibility of using crabgrass as a forage
- Crabgrass research plots currently located in five Arkansas counties
- April plantings less risky than March plantings
- Cattlemen invited to take part in 2026 forage research
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MONTICELLO, Ark. — Crabgrass isn’t just a lawn intruder — it’s one of Arkansas’ most popular and nutritious summer forages. A nine-state research team is digging deeper to measure the establishment of pasture plants and evaluate the potential risks of failure when incorporating crabgrass into forage systems.
Jonathan Kubesch, extension assistant professor of forages for the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, seeded test plots this past summer on the University of Arkansas at Monticello farm. He compared broadcasting versus harrowing as seeding and establishment, as well as comparing planting dates. The goal was to determine the best methods for measuring establishment success and failure using crabgrass as a quick-growing model.
Seeding and data collection
Before planting, the test plot was burned down with a 2-quart acre rate of glyphosate. Crabgrass was then seeded either in late March or in late April, aligning with the current seeding window recommendation in extension fact sheet FSA3138 Crabgrass for Forage.
Katy Dick, assistant professor of agriculture with UAM, and Scott Hayes, Drew County extension agent, played key roles in data collection at the test plots on UAM’s farm. Together, the team is measuring the botanical composition, forage accumulation and visual appraisals of the different crabgrass plantings. These metrics are compared to existing targets to determine if stands succeeded or failed.
Though often considered a weed, crabgrass has high nutritional value and is palatable for grazing livestock. Previous studies conducted at the Division of Agriculture’s Southwest Research and Extension Center near Hope showed crabgrass to be one of the first grasses grazed by animals introduced to a new pasture. Grazing can begin once grass reaches 4 to 6 inches but not be grazed closer than 3 inches above the soil surface to support regrowth. Highest yields of growth were seen under rotational grazing practices.
Preliminary results
Preliminary results show April plantings were more likely to meet or exceed benchmarks than stands planted in March. There appeared to be no difference in establishment success between harrowing seed into the soil as opposed to broadcasting it on top of the pasture, Kubesch noted.
The UAM site clearly demonstrated the importance of planting at the right time, Kubesch said. March plots had little if any crabgrass, whereas April plots had reasonable stands.
“Failure wasn’t all that bad in this trial,” says Kubesch. “Where we didn’t get crabgrass, our herbicide burned down and cleaned up the bahiagrass stand.”
Results from this research will help to update recommendations in south Arkansas and help cost-share programs factor the risk of stand failure into budgets. Kubesch estimates that an acre of improved crabgrass seed will cost $75 to plant when using pellet lime as a carrier when seeding.
Collaboration across the country
In addition to the demonstration site at UAM, Kubesch also has study plots in Grant, Ouachita, Saline and Sharp counties in Arkansas. His data will be shared and cross referenced with researchers in Delaware, Iowa, Maryland, Massachusetts, Missouri, Ohio, Virginia and Wisconsin. Together researchers will be able to compare findings across the country to provide producers with solid pasture recommendations.
“This project is an excellent example of how the University of Arkansas System can collaborate with partners across the country to tackle real challenges in forage production,” said Kubesch. “By combining resources and expertise, we hope to generate practical solutions that improve pasture establishment and long-term field productivity.”
Call for participants in 2026 study
Kubesch is currently looking for additional study sites in Arkansas to begin planting in the spring of 2026. If you would like to be part of his study, please reach out to your local Cooperative Extension Service agriculture agent. Visit uaex.uada.edu/counties to find contact information for your local office.
About the College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center
The College of Forestry, Agriculture and Natural Resources, and the Arkansas Forest Resources Center, a University of Arkansas System Center of Excellence, brings together interdisciplinary expertise through a partnership between the University of Arkansas at Monticello and the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture. The College and Center are headquartered at the University of Arkansas at Monticello campus, but their programs range statewide with the mission of developing and delivering teaching, research, and extension programs that enhance and ensure the sustainability and productivity of forest-based natural resources and agricultural systems. Academic programs are delivered by the College of Forestry, Agriculture, and Natural Resources through the University of Arkansas at Monticello. Through the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture, research is administered by the Arkansas Agricultural Experiment Station, and extension and outreach activities are coordinated by the Arkansas Cooperative Extension Service.
About the Division of Agriculture
The University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture’s mission is to strengthen agriculture, communities, and families by connecting trusted research to the adoption of best practices. Through the Agricultural Experiment Station and the Cooperative Extension Service, the Division of Agriculture conducts research and extension work within the nation’s historic land grant education system.
The Division of Agriculture is one of 20 entities within the University of Arkansas System. It has offices in all 75 counties in Arkansas and faculty on three campuses.
Pursuant to 7 CFR § 15.3, the University of Arkansas System Division of Agriculture offers all its Extension and Research programs and services (including employment) without regard to race, color, sex, national origin, religion, age, disability, marital or veteran status, genetic information, sexual preference, pregnancy or any other legally protected status, and is an equal opportunity institution.
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Media Contact: Traci Rushing, trushing@uada.edu, 870-460-1852.