Penn State Shares Best Summer Forage Crops for Livestock Farms

By Blake Jackson

Summer annual grasses can provide an important forage option for livestock producers dealing with dry weather or limited feed supplies, according to experts from Penn State Extension.

These warm-season crops are capable of producing strong yields in drought conditions while still delivering quality forage when growing conditions are favorable. Early June is considered one of the best times to establish these crops for summer production.

Researchers recommend selecting proven hybrids that offer strong fiber digestibility and good yield performance. Brown midrib (BMR) hybrids are often preferred because they provide improved digestibility compared to conventional varieties.

Other specialty hybrids, including brachytic dwarf and male-sterile types, may offer benefits such as better standability, improved leaf-to-stem ratios, and higher sugar content.

Some newer sorghum-sudangrass hybrids are also bred to reduce the risk of prussic acid poisoning after drought or frost events.

Different warm-season annual species serve different purposes. Forage sorghums are commonly used for silage because they produce a single large harvest and do not regrow after cutting.

Sudangrass, however, can regrow after grazing or harvesting, while sorghum-sudangrass hybrids combine traits from both species and allow multiple harvests during the growing season.

Experts advise planting sorghum species in well-drained soils once temperatures exceed 60 degrees Fahrenheit. Sorghum-sudangrass is generally seeded at 25 to 30 pounds per acre, while forage sorghum requires lower seeding rates. Maintaining soil pH levels between 6.5 and 7 can help maximize production.

Nitrogen management is also critical for achieving strong yields. Fertility recommendations for sorghum species are similar to corn silage, though split nitrogen applications are encouraged to improve efficiency and reduce nitrate concerns during dry conditions.

Harvest timing is equally important. Producers should begin harvesting sorghum-sudangrass stands when plants reach about 30 inches tall and maintain cutting heights of 6 to 8 inches to encourage healthy regrowth and continued forage production throughout the season.

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