Comparing Native Grass Species to Bahiagrass as a Forage Hay Crop

2012 Annual Report for FS11-256

Project Type: Farmer/Rancher
Funds awarded in 2011: $9,982.00
Projected End Date: 12/31/2014
Region: Southern
State: Mississippi
Principal Investigator:

Comparing Native Grass Species to Bahiagrass as a Forage Hay Crop

Summary

May 23, 2012- Cut Bahiagrass hay. produced only 1.5 bales average per
acre.

May 31, 2012- Attended a native grass field day at the North
Mississippi Research & Extension Center’s Prairie
Research Unit located in Prairie, MS. The field day
covered establishment,management, and wildlife benefits
of native grasses.

June 3, 2012- Sprayed research area with Grazon P+D at 1 quart
per acre for weeds.

June 4, 2012- Took clippings from native grass and Bahiagrass for
submission to lab for nutritional analysis. Measured
forage height to determine growth rate and tons of
available forage at that time. The native grass
averaged 12 inches tall with no prior cutting and the
Bahiagrass averaged 7 inches after being cut 17 days
earlier. The native grass tested 8.79% Crude protein
and the Bahiagrass tested 11.61% CP. All other
elements were of comparitive results.

July 17, 2012- Visited Mississippi State’s Leveck Animal Research
Center to look at plots of native grasses.

September 25,2012- Cut native grass and Bahiagrass for hay. The
native grass produced an average 4.5 bales per
acre and the Bahiagrass produced an average 3
bales per acre this cutting.

Objectives/Performance Targets

The forage analysis results showed that crude protein was higher in Bahiagrass than in native grass, but other nutrients were comparable in both grasses(see attached results. Hay production was .5 bales per acre more in the native grass at one cutting verses two cuttings for Bahiagrass.

Accomplishments/Milestones

Begin nutrient and production measurement between Bahiagrass and native grasses.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

None at this point in research project.

Collaborators:

George Rowland

george.rowland@ms.usda.gov
Project Coordinator for RC&D
NRCS
P.O. Box 119
Pontotoc, MS 38863
Office Phone: 6624893563
Dr. David Lang

djl7@msstate.edu
Associate Professor
Box 9555
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Office Phone: 6623258181
Robert Wimbish

robert.wimbish@ms.usda.gov
Resource Conservationist
2655 Traceland Drive
Tupelo, MS 38801
Office Phone: 6628442341
Dr. Rocky Lemus

rlemus@ext.msstate.edu
Asst. Extension / Research Professor
256 Dorman Hall
Mississippi State, MS 39762
Office Phone: 6623257718
Danny Owen

dannyo@ext.msstate.edu
Tishomingo County Extension Agent
238 Kaki Street
Iuka, MS 38852
Office Phone: 6624237016
John Gruchy

john.gruchy@gmail.com
Private Lands Habitat Program Wildlife Biologist
Mississippi Department of Wildlife, Fisheries, and Parks
1505 Eastover Drive
Jackson, MS 39211
Office Phone: 6622741050
Website: http://www.mdwfp.com/Level2/Wildlife/Game/Private%20Lands/Default.asp