Comparing Native Grass Species to Bahiagrass as a Forage Hay Crop

Comparing Native Grass Species to Bahiagrass as a Forage Hay Crop

Summary

May 1, 2013 – Applied Metsulfuron at 0.04 oz / ac. for Bahiagrass control and 2-4 D at 1.0 qts / ac. for broadleaf weed control on native grass.

May 30, 2013 – Applied 51 units Nitrogen / ac. on Bahiagrass.

August 1, 2013 – Took clippings from native grass and Bahiagrass for submission to lab for nutritional analysis.

August 15, 2013 – Cut bahiagrass for hay

Objectives/Performance Targets

The forage analysis results show that crude protein for the native grass was 7.45 % and TDN 50.17 % and Bahiagrass crude protein was 6.93 % and TDN was 50.62 % (see attached result sheets). No hay production was determined since native grass was not harvested for hay. However native grass hay rolls left over from 2012 year has more damage than Bahiagrass hay due to courser stems and no thatch effect can be established.

• 2013 forage anaylsis reports

Accomplishments/Milestones

Continue nutrient and production measurements between Bahiagrass and native grass.

Impacts and Contributions/Outcomes

Findings show that native grass has as much or more nutritional value with no fertilization than Bahiagrass with fertilization.  Native grass does not make a good hay forage due to the larger stems at recommended cutting height causes very course hay rolls which leads to more moisture absorbtion. This causes quicker and more hay loss than with Bahiagrass.

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