By Blake Jackson
Native warm-season grasses, such as switchgrass, offer a potential alternative for forage production in the Southern Ozarks.
While switchgrass has shown promise as a hay crop in the region, its management requirements for sustainable production are not well understood.
Unlike traditional forages like tall fescue and bermudagrass, switchgrass can provide flexibility in response to varying forage quality, livestock markets, and drought conditions.
Proper management is crucial for maximizing yield and quality of any forage. Nitrogen fertilizer is a key factor in meeting yield goals and ensuring the nutritive quality of forage for different livestock classes.
The USDA-NRCS Plant Materials Program has conducted extensive field plantings of Alamo switchgrass in the Southern Ozarks, confirming its adaptability to the region.
However, information on the impact of nitrogen fertilizer on Alamo switchgrass yield and quality in this specific region was limited.
To address this knowledge gap, a three-year field study was conducted in Arkansas from 2014 to 2016. Alamo switchgrass plots were fertilized with varying rates of nitrogen (0, 75, 250, 225, and 300 lb/acre) and harvested twice a year.
The results indicated that applying a minimum of 75 lb/acre/year of nitrogen, split into two applications in the spring and early summer, was optimal for Alamo switchgrass production. Higher nitrogen rates did not significantly increase yields but could lead to increased costs.
The study found that Alamo switchgrass fertilized with 75, 150, and 225 lb/acre/year produced average forage yields of 2.5, 3.5, and 4.5 tons/acre, respectively. The crude protein content ranged from 7 to 8%, and the total digestible nutrients ranged from 50 to 54%.
These results suggest that Alamo switchgrass can be a valuable low-input hay crop option for producers in the Southern Ozarks, providing a sustainable and flexible forage source.
Photo Credit: gettyimages-eugenesergeev
Categories: Missouri, Crops, Hay & Forage