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Premium Warm-Season Forage for Drought Conditions

Sorghum Sudan Grass is a high-yielding, warm-season annual forage that excels in hot, dry conditions where cool-season grasses struggle. This C4 plant combines exceptional drought tolerance with rapid biomass production, making it ideal for summer grazing, hay, green chop, and cover crop applications.

Key Performance Features

Exceptional Drought Tolerance - C4 plant physiology makes it more water-efficient than cool-season grasses
Heat Loving - Thrives in temperatures above 30°C (86°F) when other forages slow down
Rapid Biomass Production - Can accumulate large amounts of forage in hot, dry conditions
Robust Root System - Deep roots access moisture and nutrients unavailable to shallow-rooted crops
Multiple Cuttings - Fast regrowth allows 2-4 cuttings per season depending on conditions
Waxy Leaf Surface - Reduces water evaporation for superior drought performance
Palatable Winter Feed - Makes excellent hay or silage for winter feeding

Versatile Applications

Summer Grazing - Provides quality forage when cool-season pastures go dormant
Hay Production - High-yielding hay crop for winter feed
Green Chop - Fresh-cut forage for confined feeding operations
Silage - Excellent fermentation characteristics for quality silage
Cover Crop - Rapid biomass accumulation, feeds soil biology, suppresses weeds
Prevent Plant Option - Approved cover crop for insurance purposes in many regions

Agronomic Guidelines

Seeding Rate: 25-35 lbs per acre for hay/grazing; 40-50 lbs for cover crop
Planting Timing: After soil reaches 60°F (15°C) and frost danger has passed
Soil Requirements: Adaptable to most soils; prefers well-drained, fertile ground
Planting Depth: 1-2 inches deep
Establishment: Slow initial growth (4-5 weeks), then rapid development
First Harvest: When plants reach 24-30 inches or before heading

Important Management Considerations

Prussic Acid Caution: Like all sorghum species, Sorghum Sudan can produce prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide) when under stress, particularly after frost or drought. Follow these safety guidelines:

Do not graze until plants are at least 18-24 inches tall
Do not graze for 5-7 days after a killing frost
Avoid grazing drought-stressed plants
Hay is safe once properly cured (prussic acid dissipates during drying)
Introduce livestock gradually to Sorghum Sudan pastures

Why Choose C4 Warm-Season Grasses?

C4 plants like Sorghum Sudan use a more efficient photosynthetic pathway than cool-season (C3) grasses. This allows them to:

Grow rapidly in hot temperatures (optimum 30°C+)
Use water more efficiently (require less water per unit of growth)
Tolerate drought conditions that shut down cool-season forages
Produce high yields in conditions unsuitable for traditional forages

Ideal For

Dairy and beef operations needing summer forage
Regions with hot, dry summers
Emergency forage during drought years
Double cropping after small grains
Cover crop programs focused on biomass and soil health
Prevent plant acres requiring approved cover crops

Product Specifications

Package Size: 50 lbs (22.7 kg)
Type: Warm-season annual forage grass
Plant Classification: C4 photosynthetic pathway
Coverage: Approximately 1.5-2 acres at standard seeding rates
Season: Warm season (plant after frost, grows through summer)

Maximize your summer forage production with Sorghum Sudan Grass. When cool-season pastures go dormant and temperatures soar, Sorghum Sudan keeps producing high-quality forage for your livestock.

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