Sorghum-Sudan Hybrid Grass
Product Information
Sorghum- Sudan grass hybrid is a warm season grass, unlike most cool season grass forages and is created by crossbreeding sorghum grass with sedan grass to create Sorghum- Sudan grass hybrid (Wright, Wheeler, & McKinlay, 1998). This hybrid is known to be drought- tolerant and it produces forage dry matter when an emergency occurs, for example a drought (Wright et al., 1998). This is possible because sorghum-Sudan grass hybrid has twice the amount of secondary roots compared to corn, which maximizes water intake through the roots, and much less leaf area which minimizes water evaporation resulting in moisture loss (Wright et al., 1998). However, conventional Forage Sorghum differs from conventional Sudan grass quite largely. Conventional Forage Sorghum has sweet juicy stems and produces less plant than Sudan grass, and has very slow regrowth, with only one cut per year offered (Wright et al., 1998). Conventional Sudan grass on the other hand has a slimmer stem, with many leaves and quick regrowth, and offers multiple cuts per season (Wright et. al., 1998). The Sorghum-Sudan hybrid grass is a combination of both of these grasses, with a larger stem and more leaf-like, while offering multiple cuts (Wright et al., 1998). This hybrid is most popular in Ontario (Wright et al., 1998). This is a fiber- digestible hybrid (Howard, 2005). The digestible neutral detergent fiber for this grass is around 70% compared to corn and hay, which are 53% and 52% respectively (Howard, 2005). When growing this grass, the seeds are planted into warmer soils since it is a warm season crop (Wright et al, 1998). Nitrogen fertilizer is also necessary since it in the same family as corn (Wright et al, 1998). This will unfortunately add to costs. Its planting strategy can be compared to those of the crop of barley for example. After being planted, very minimal work is required to help the grass maximize in growth (Howard, 2005).
Sorghum-sedan grass hybrid benefits Canadian farmers because of how efficient it can grow, and its tolerance to dry, hot weather as well as its ample yields and low growing costs (Wright et al., 1998). Because the seeds are planted into warm soil, the use of herbicide is greatly reduced (Howard, 2005). The use of insecticides is also reduced because rootworms have already hatched by the time the seed is planted and insect nests do not take over the seed when it is trying to germinate (Howard, 2005). Another big advantage is that Sorghum- Sudan hybrid grass does not need to be sprayed. Since the hybrid grows so fast and efficiently, the crop will overpower surrounding plants that are potential competitors of nutrients and moisture. Weeds will not be able to compete with the fast maturing plant, add will die out (Howard, 2005). This means that the crop will not need to be sprayed, and this will cut major costs, as chemical sprays can be expensive. Farmers can get anywhere from 1-4 cuts of the hybrid grass per year, and yields 2-3 ton/ acre on average, and yields can be even higher in warmer weather (Wright et al., 1998). Farmers can take more than one cut of the grass per year, so less acres are required to get the same amount of feed as if the farmer was to plant corn silage which only produces one cut a year making land use more efficient. Sorghum-sedan grass is as good or even better than corn silage as an energy source, as long as it is harvested at optimal maturity (Wright et al., 1998). It is also capable of being a better protein source for livestock than hay, or alfalfa (Wright et al., 1998). Sorghum- Sudan Hybrid can replace hay or corn silage in a livestock feed ration (Howard, 2005). When the hybrid grass is replacing either one of hay or corn in a ration, there are a few other concerns. If the hybrid is replacing hay, or alfalfa, grain volume can be reduced, and protein supplements do not necessarily need to be increased (Howard, 2005). This will lead to less money spent on protein and more money in the farmer’s pocket. When the hybrid grass is replacing corn silage, the energy level is just as good, but starch levels may need to be added (Howard, 2005).
When planting, the seeds must be planted into warm soil; so later season planting may be required (Wright et al., 1998). The most common way to plant the hybrid in Canada is by using a wheel-driven seed-drill with a grass box (OMAFRA, 2005) Many manufactures make these drills; a few include John-Deere, Case IH, and New Holland. The seeds should be planted 1-1.5 inches deep in row widths of 7-14 inches wide, at a population 13.5lbs/acre, at an optimal soil pH level of 5.5- 7.5 (Wright et al., 1998). It is recommended that Sorghum-Sudan hybrid is planted in the spring, and the last harvest should be taken before the first frost (Wright et al., 1998). The first cut of the season can be taken approximately 60 days after planting, and the plant should exceed 65cm in height at 70-75% moisture (Wright et al., 1998). Compared to corn and hay, this hybrid is way more efficient at growing. Hay is usually seeded down with barley, which usually takes a whole season to grow and be harvested, and corn also takes an entire growing season to fully mature. This hybrid does not need to be seeded down with anything; it is planted directly, and matures way sooner than corn being only approximately 60 days (Wright et al., 1998).
There are many several ways that this hybrid grass can be harvested as well. When harvested, the hybrid grass can be chopped for green feed, baled into high moisture bales, cut and dried and then baled for dry feed, or left for livestock to graze on in a strip grazing system (Wright et al., 1998).
Sorghum-Sudan grass falls into the same family as corn, which means it requires Nitrogen fertilizer (Wright et al.). It is suggested that 90-100 pounds of nitrogen per acre is applied at the time of planting, and then an additional 45 pounds per acre after each cut is taken (Wright et al., 1998). There is not a large market for sorghum-sedan grass hybrid, except for those growing it to feed their livestock. This hybrid is optimal for lactating dairy cows, dry cows, and replacement heifers older than 12 months of age (Wright et al.). However, there is a health hazard with this grass. This grass hybrid is not frost tolerant (Wright et al., 1998). If frost hits the plant, and then the plant is harvested and fed to an animal within a period and is digested, the forage is capable of releasing prussic acid into the bloodstream of the animal, and the animal can die from respiratory paralysis (Wright et al.). A test was done, and results shown that feeding Sorghum-Sedan grass hybrid in a dairy total- mixed ration (TMR), can increase milk production by up to 1 liter per cow an day (Wright et al., 1998).
References
Wright, T., Wheeler, B., & McKinlay, J. (1998). Forage Sorghum-Sedan Grass. Retrieved from http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca
Howard, Fran. (2005). Sold on Sorghum-Sudan.
Retrieved from: http://hayandforage.com/mag/farming_sold_sorghumsudan
Sorghum-Sudan Grass [Internet] SARE, 2014. Cited November 21, 2014.
Retrieved from: http://www.sare.org/Learning-Center/Books/Managing-Cover-Crops-Profitably-3rd-Edition/Text-Version/Nonlegume-Cover-Crops/Sorghum-Sudangrass
OMAFRA [Internet]. Sorghum-Sudan Grass Hybrids, 2005. Cited November 21, 2014.
Retrieved from: http://www.omafra.gov.on.ca