A93-329-16,0 00-L180

TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

V A. B. CONNER, DIRECTOR
COLLEGE STATION, BRAZOS COUNTY, TEXAS

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BULLETIN NO. 396 _ A r1329‘ ,.

AGRYCULM" >
(TOLLEGE OF TEXAS LIBRARY

DIVISION OF AGRONOMY

SUDAN GRASS FOR HAY, SEED,
AND PASTURE

 

AGRICULTURAL AND MECHANICAL COLLEGE OF TEXAS
T. O. WALTON, President

UIAJIUH DIAPPT

ADMINISTRATION:
. B. CoNNER, M. S., Director
. E. KARPER, M. S., Vice-Director
. M. ScHAEDEL, Secretary
. P. HoLLEMAN, JR., Chief Clerk
. K. FRANcKLow, Assistant Chief Clerk
HEsTER HIGGS, Executive Assistant
. B. NEELETTE, Technical Assistant
S. FRAPs, Ph. D., Chief; Slate Chemist
. E. AsEURY, M. S., Assistant Chemist
. C. CARLYLE, B. S., Chemist
ALDo H. WALKER, Assistant Chemist
ELMA GRAHAM, Assistant Chemist
. S. Oscoon, M. S., Assistant Chemist
. L. OGIER, B. S., Assistant Chemist
. G. EvANs, Assistant Chemist
ATHAN J. STERGES, B. S., Assistant Chemist
G. S. CRENsHAw, A. B., Assistant Chemist
JEANNE M. FUEGAs, Assistant Chemist
HANs PLATENiUs, M. Sc., Assistant Chemist
HORTICULTURE:
HAMILTON P. TRAUB, Ph. D., Chief
—-——-——-——, Berry Breeder
RANGE ANIMAL HUSBANDRY:
J. M. JoNEs,  M., Chief; Sheep and Goat
Investigations
J. L. LUsH, Ph. D., Animal Husbandman;
Breeding Investigations
STANLEY P. DAvIs, Wool Grader
ENTOMOLOGY:
F. L. THoMAs,_Ph. D., Chief; State

Entomologist _
H. J. REINHARD, S., Entomologist
R ., Entomologist

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. K. FLETCHER, M. A
. L. OWEN, JR., M. S., Entomologist

RANK M. HULL, M. S., Entomologist

. C. GAiNEs, JR., M. S., Entomologist

. J. ToDD, B. S., Entomologist

. F. BIBBY, B. S., Entomologist

. E. McGREcoR, JR., Acting Chief Foulbrood
Ins ector

AcKENsEN, Foulbrood Inspector
RONOMY:

. B. REYNoLDs, M. S., Chief

. E. KARPER, M S., Agronomist; Grain

Sorghum Research

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C. MANGELsDoRE, Sc. D., Agronomist;

in charge of Corn and Small Grain Investi-
ations

D. . KILLOUGI-I, M. S., Agronomist; Cotton
Breeding

H. E. REA, . S., Agronomist; Cotton Root Rot
Investigations

W. E. FLINT, B. S., Agronomist

PUBLICATIONS:

A. D. JAcKsoN, Chief

VETERINARYSCIENCE:
*M. FRANcIs, D. V. M., Chief
H. ScHMiDT, D. V. M., Veterinarian
F. E. CARRoLL, D. V. M., Veterinarian

PLANT PATHOLOGY AND PHYSIOLOGY:
J. J. TAUEENHAUs, Ph. D., hief
W. N. EzEKIEL, Ph. D., Plant Pathologist and
Laboratory Technician
W. J . BAcH, M. S., Plant Pathologist
J . PAUL LUsK, S. M., Plant Pathologist
B. F. DANA, M. S., Plant Pathologist
FARM AND RANCH ECONOMICS:
L. P. GABBARD, M. S., hief
W. E. PAULSON, Ph. D., Marketing Research
Specialist
C. A. BoNNEN, M. S., Farm Management
Research Specialist

V. L. CoRY, M. S., Grazing Research Botanist_

**J. F. CRIswELL, B. S., Assistant; Farm Records
and Accounts

**J. N. TATE, B. S., Assistant; Ranch Records
and Accounts

RURAL HOME RESEARCH:

JEssIE WHiTAcRE, Ph. D., Chief
A MAMIE GRIMEs, M. S., Textile and Clothing

Specialist

EMMA E. SUMNER, M. S., Nutrition Specialid
SOIL SURVEY:
**W. T. CARTER, B. S., Chief

E. H. TEMPLIN, B. S., Soil Surveyor

T. C. REiTcH, B. S., Soil Surveyor

L. G. RAGSDALE, B. S., Soil Surveyor
BOTANY:

L, Chief

SIMON E. WOLFF, M. S., Botanist
SWINE H] SBANDRY:

FRED HALE, M. S., Chief
DAIRY HUSBANDRY:

O. C. COPELAND, B. S., Dairy Husbandman
POULTRY HUSBANDRY:

R. M. SHERwooD, M. S., Chief
***AGRICULTURAL ENGINEERING:
MAIN STATION FARM:

. T. McNEss, Superintendent
APICULTURE (San Antonio):

H. B. PARKS, B. S., Chief

A. H. ALEX, B. S., Queen Breeder
FEED CONTROL SERVICE:

F. D. FULLER, M. S., Chief
. . PEARcE, Secretary
. RoGERs, Feed Inspector
. . W00D, Feed Inspector
. KIRKLAND, B. S., Feed Inspector
. . NoRTHcUTT, JR., B. S., Feed Inspector
ID EY D. REYNoLDs, JR., Feed Inspector
P. A. MooRE, Feed Inspector

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SUBSTATIONS

No. 1, Beeville, Bee County:
R. A. HALL, B. S., Superintendent
No. 2, Troup, Smith County:
P. R. Jo HNsoN, B. S., Act. Superintendent
No. 3, Angleton, Brazoria County:
R. H. STANsEL, M. S., Superintendent
No. 4, Beaumont, Jeflerson County:
R H. WYCHE, B. S., Superintendent
No. 5, Temple Bell County:
HENRY DUNLAvY, M. S., Superintendent
B. F. DANA, M. S., Plant Pathologist
H. E. REA, B. S., Agronomist; Cotton Root Rot
Investigations
SIM0N E. WQLEF, M. S., Botanist; Cotton Root
Rot Investigations
No. 6, Denton, Denton County:
P. B. DUNKLE, B. S., Superintendent
No. 7, Spur, Dickens County:
R. E. DICKSON, B. S., Superintendent
W. E. FLINT, B. S., Agronomist
No. 8, Lubbock, Lubbock County:
D. L. JoNEs, Superintendent
FRANK GAINEs, Irrigationist and Forest
Nurseryman
No. 9, Balmorhea, Reeves County:
J. J. BAYLEs, B. S., Superintendent

N,» 10, Feeding and Breeding Station, near
Couege Station, Brazos County:
R_ M_ SH_ERwooD, M. S., Animal Husband-
man in Charge of Farm
L. J. MGCALL, Farm Superintendent

No. ll, Nacogdoches, Nacogdoches County:
H. F. MORRIS, M. S., Superintendent
**No. 12, Chillicothe, Harderiian County:
J. R. QUINBY, B. S., Superintendent .
**J. C. STEPHENS, M. A., Junior Agronomist

No. 14, Sonora, Sutton-EdwardsCounties:
W. H. DAMERoN, B. S., Superintendent
E. A. TUNNICLIFF, D. V. M., . S.,
Veterinarian
V. L. CORY, M. S., Grazing Research Botanist
**O. G. BABCOCK, B. S., Collaborating
Entomologist
O. L. CARPENTER, Shepherd

No. 15, Weslaco, Hidalgo County:
W. H. FRIEND, B. S., Superintendent
SHERMAN W. CLARK, B. S., Entomologist
W. J. BAcH, M. S., Plant Pathologist
No. 16, Iowa Park, Wichita County:
E. J. WiLsoN, B. S., Superintendent _
J. PAUL LUsK, S. M., Plant Pathologist

Teachers in the School of Agriculture Carrying Cooperative Projects on the Station:

Q

W
. W. BILSING, Ph. D., Professor of Entomology
.  LEE, Ph
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. ADRIANcE, M. S., Associate Professor of Horticulture

. D., Professor of Marketing and Finance

D. oATEs, A. E., Professor of Agricultural Engineering _ _
H. P. SMITH, M. S., Associate Professor of Agricultural Engineering
R. H. WILLIAMs, Ph. D., Professor of Animal Husbandry

A. K. MAcKEY, M. S., Associate Professor of Animal Husbandry

J . S. MOGFQRD, M. S., Associate Professor of Agronomy

F. S. JAMisoN, M. S., Associate Professor of Horticulture

TAs of April _1, 1929

*Dean, School of Veterinary Medicine.

**In cooperation with U. S. Department of Agriculture.
***In cooperation with the School of Agriculture.

Sudan grass is an annual grass sorghum introduced into this country in
1909 by the United States Department 0f Agriculture. It was grown at
Chillicothe that year and thereafter the seed were widely distributed t0
farmers over the State by the Texas Station. This Bulletin reports the
results, since the introduction of the crop, of experiments with Sudan grass
at substations in various regions of the State. Sudan grass is adapted as a
hay and pasture crop to practically all farming sections in Texas. The
South Plains is the principal seed-producing area for the United States.

Sudan grass is the most important cultivated pasture crop in Texas.
When grown in rows, it furnishes more continuous pasture than broadcast
plantings, especially if the season be unfavorable. Growing in rows for
pasture also allows cultivation to control weeds. Heavier rates of seeding
than are necessary for hay production are desirable when planting for
pasture, since thicker planting will allow earlier grazing and tends to
reduce trouble from weeds. In Texas, small grain for winter pasture and
Sudan grass for summer pasture furnish a combination that provides graz-
ing throughout practically the entire year. Sudan grass pasture should
not be grazed until the plants are 15 to 18 inches tall. It can be grazed
heavily without damage but it is advisable to have two or more pastures

' that are grazed in succession, thus allowing each pasture a period of rest
for making new growth. When the plants become coarse and woody, or
when weeds become large, the pasture should be mowed.

The crop should be planted for hay early enough to allow the production
of three or more cuttings in southern parts of the state and two in the
northern parts. The optimum planting dates for the state range from
March 1 to May 1. Date-of-planting experiments .at Lubbock show that the
yields decline when planting is delayed past the latter part of April, and at

 Chillicothe the best yields were made by planting on or before the first of

‘ May. Sudan grass may be planted for hay, broadcast, in 18-inch rows, or
; in 36-inch rows without any appreciable influence on yield. At Lubbock,
i’ narrow rows produced about 8 per cent more hay than wide rows, while at
l Chillicothe, wide rows yielded 13 per cent more than narrow rows. Yields
at both stations favored planting in rows rather than broadcast for hay.
Sudan grass tillers freely and is able to adjust itself to various rates of
seeding. When it is grown for hay, 15 to 20 pounds of seed is a sufficient
amount for broadcast plantings, and five pounds is adequate for row
plantings.

Sudan grass cut for hay before heading, at time of first head, in full
bloom, and when the seed were in the milk, proved to be palatable and
. nutritious at all these stages but the heaviest yields resulted from harvest-
ing at the time of first heads and in full bloom. Cutting at the earliest
1 stage reduced the yield of each individual cutting, and delaying the harvest
 until the seed was in the milk resulted in a reduction of the number of

 cuttings obtained without a compensating increase in yield per cutting.

l’ Growing Sudan grass for seed has, since the introduction of the crop,
been an important factor in the development of new farm lands in the
western part of the state and the bulk of the seed grown in the United
. States is now produced in this region. Planting in cultivated rows has
a proven the best method for seed production. When grown as a seed crop,
over a ton of straw to the acre was produced as a by-product, and in addi-
tion, a crop for pasture or hay was frequently obtained. Uniform maturity
0f the seed crop is essential when it matures late in the fall. Ten to fifteen
pounds of seed to the acre, when planted broadcast, and 5 to 10. pounds to
the acre, when planted in rows, for seed production were the best rates.

A comparison of the yields of forage produced by Sudan grass, cowpeas,
and Sumac sorgo, at Lubbock and Chillicothe, indicates that, over a period
of years, cowpeas will produce from one-fourth to one-third as much forage
per acre as Sudan grass. During the period from 1913 to 1925 Sudan grass
produced approximately 65 per cent as much forage as Sumac sorgo at these
two stations.

.
,
§
F.

   
 
  
 
 
 
   

CONTENTS

Introduction . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Description of Sudan grass . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5

Adaptation of crop . . . 4 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7

Experimental methods . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 10

Seed-bed preparation, planting, and cultivation . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 10

Date of planting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
Method of planting:
For hay and pasture 1 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 12
For seed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 17
Rate of planting
For hay and pasture '4 . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18
For seed . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 23
Stage of harvesting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 j . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 25
Harvesting and threshing . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 26

Comparison of yields of Sudan grass, Sumac sorgo and cowpeas. . . . 27 

Sudan grass for pasture:

Value of pasture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 28 
Growing Sudan pasture . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 29 
Pasture management . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 31 i

Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .i . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32.

 



' vision and inspection of the Station.

BULLETIN NO. 396 APRIL, 1929

SUDAN GRASS FOR HAY, SEED AND PASTURE

R. E. KARPER, J. R. QUINBY, AND D. L. JONES

The first Sudan grass grown in the United States was planted in a
small rod row plat at the Chillicothe Station in 1909 and practically all
the Sudan in the United States at the present time came from this small
beginning. This introduction was made from the Sudan region of
Africa by the Office of Foreign Seed and Plant Introduction at the insti-
gation of Dr. C. V. Piper, Office of Forage Crops, U. S. Department of
Agriculture. At that time and throughout the period of the results
reported in this Bulletin the work at the Chillicothe Station has been
conducted cooperatively by the Texas Agricultural Experiment Station
and the Office of Forage Crops. Sudan grass stands as an example of
the effectiveness of cooperative effort by State and Federal agencies in-
the introduction, increase, and distribution of seed of a valuable agri-
cultural crop.

The Texas Station realized immediately the possible value of Sudan
to the agriculture of the State and began the rapid increase and distri-
bution of high-quality seed through several of its Substations. The»
work was particularly effective at the Lubbock Station, where a number
of cooperating farmers were furnished seed to be grown under the super-
This initial effort laid the founda-
tion for the building of a valuable seed-growing business for the farmers
in the South Plains of Texas. For this region, then a new farming area
beginning a transition from ranching to farming, was found a new and
profitable cash crop. The crop proved especially well adapted to this
section for the production of abundant seed of good quality. As this
new agricultural land opened up, Sudan grass was grown for seed as a
cash crop on sod land, and it has played an important part in the agri-
cultural development of this region ever since. Sudan grass seed pro-
duction has moved westward in the Plains Region as new lands were
opened up and has continued in the vanguard of a more intensive agri-
culture. The bulk of the Sudan grass seed grown in the United States
is produced in this region, and the crop is grown for pasture or hay in=
practically every county in Texas. Its introduction was a distinct con-
tribution to the agriculture of the state.

DESCRIPTION OF SUDAN GRASS

Sudan grass (Andropogon sudaneoisis) is a Grass Sorghum, closely
related botanically to other sorghums. Johnson grass is another Grass
Sorghum, but unlike Johnson grass, which is a perennial with root

6 BULLETIN NO. 396, 'I‘EX.~XS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

stocks, Sudan grass is an annual lniving no r001; stocks, is easillxr eradi-
cated, and can never become a pest.

It is an erect-grovsfiiig plant which iwziclies a height ol’ 5 l0 (i feet
under 011131121113) Ponditions. Iiiko other sorgliumsi, Sutlzin has an ex-
tensive root syistem which allows it t0 iflrziw’ heavily 0n soil moisture and

Fig. l.——Thc original planting of Sudan grass in the United States at (Ihillicothe
Station in 1909.

SUDAN GRASS FOR HAY, SEED, AND PASTURE 7

plant food and which contributes to its high capacity for the production
of forage and pasture. The stems rarely grow larger than 3/16 of an
inch in diameter even when planted in cultivated rows; are pithy, not
hollow; and have from 10 to 14 leaves. The seed head ranges from 1O
to 16 inches in length and frequently attains a breadth of 10 to ~12 inches
when the panicle is spreading. The seed head when unripe is green in
color but turns straw yellow at maturity. The glumes may vary in
color from cream to reddish black, may be either smooth or hairy, and
are awned. The awns break off in threshing and commercial seed rarely
have awns. The seed coat is golden brown in color. The seed are
one-half to two-thirds the size of Amber sorgo seed and similar in shape.

ADAPTATION OF THE CROP

Sudan grass is adapted to a large area including the entire southern
half of the United States and much of the Great Plains region as far
north as the Dakotas. It is unimportant in Southeastern United States
on account of its susceptibility to Red Spot or Blight (Bacillus Sorgi),
a bacterial disease which causes elongated red blotches on the leaf and
stem. {It is well suited to the entire State of Texas wherever other
agricultural crops will grow. Like other sorghums it prefers a warm
summer climate of relatively low humidity, is sensitive to frost, and the
growing season is limited to the warmer months of the year.

Sudan grass is not exacting as t0 its soil requirements as it grows
Well on all soil types from sand to heavy clay provided they are reason-
ably fertile and well drained.

The characteristic of Sudan grass which contributes most to its value
as a forage and pasture crop is its ability to produce good yields under
unfavorable distribution of summer rainfall. A crop of hay is produced
in 60 days and a comparatively short period of favorable-growth condi-
tions will produce a hay crop. After the grass is well established it can
be pastured heavily during periods of drought without appreciable dam-
age, and will resume rapid growth immediately the conditions become
favorable. Under favorable conditions three or even four cuttings are
not unusual in many parts of the State. In addition to being a good
pasture and hay grass under dry-land conditions Sudan grass is a suc-
cessful crop under irrigation); ‘

Sudan grass hay yields at eleven substations in various regions of the
State show the wide adaptability of the crop in Texas. Hay-yield
records at some points cover only a short period but where continuous
yields over a period of years have been secured it will be seen that two to
three tons of hay to the acre are produced (Table 1).

The seed-producing area of the crop in Texas is limited by the ravages
of the sorghum midge, a small insect the larvae of which suck the juices
from the ovary about the time of blooming. The ovary fails to develop
and a sterile flower results. The damage in some instances is practically
100 per cent. The ravages of this insect are confined largely to the

8

BULLETIN NO. 396, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

region east of the line of 30-inch rainfall. In general, Sudan grass
will produce seed consistently Wherever sorghums produce dependable
grain yields. The South Plains of Northwest Texas is particualrly
adapted to seed production and is the chief source of Sudan grass seed

for the United States.

Fig. 2.—A typical individual plant of Sudan grass.

SUDAN GRASS FOR HAY, SEED, AND PASTURE 9

EXPERIMENTAL METHODS

The yields to be found in the tables of this Bulletin are computed to
the acre basis from experimental plats. The plats in most instances
were either 1/10, 1/20, or 1/22 of an acre in size and were duplicated.
The yields of hay and straw are field-cured weights in tons to the acre.
At Chillicothe, results from 1915 to 1917, inclusive, were air-dry
weights, the shrinkage from field-cured to air-dry approximating 25 per
cent. Seed weights are given in pounds to the acre of threshed seed.

Broadcast plantings were made with a grain drill which sows the
drills about 8 inches apart. Row plantings were usually made with a
single- or two-row planter in use on the Stations and equipped with
sorghum plates. The 18-inch row plantings were made by driving back
and planting the middles after the 36-inch rows had been planted. At
Chillicothe all plantings were made with a grain drill, the wide rows
being made by stopping all but the desired holes of the drill. I

The widths of rows at Chillicothe were not the same as that of the‘
other stations. Both 16- and 24-inch rows were used in place of 18-inch1
rows, and 40-inch rows were used instead of 36-inch rows. It is consid-
ered that these differences in width of row would not materially alfect
the reliability of the results when grouped into a summary table for
comparison with yields at other stations. I

The length of season is the number of days from date of emergence
until the crop was harvested.

Row plantings were cultivated to destroy weed growth early in the
season before the plants were large enough to shade the ground fully
and occasionally one cultivation was given after the first cutting was
made.

Hay crops were harvested with the mower and cured in the swath
and cock. Seed crops were harvested with the row binder or broadcast
binder and threshed in small experimental threshers.

SEEDBED PREPARATION, PLANTING AND CULTIVATION

Sudan grass should be planted in a seedbed as well prepared as for
other crops. When planted in rows the seedbed should be prepared in
any particular section of the State in the same manner as for cotton or
grain sorghums; when planted broadcast the seedbed should be similar
to that for small grain. Sudan grass plants when young are small and
delicate and grow off slowly. It is essential where planted in rows that
the seedbed be loose and free from clods so that the stand will not be
injured at the time of first cultivation, which must be done early when
weed seeds germinate and come up in the row with the Sudan grass.

Row plantings may best be made by using an ordinary planter equipped
with sorghum plates. In the event that no sorghum plates are to be had‘;
a corn plate will suffice if a small chain or other impediment is hung in:
the grain spout to check part of the seed as they fall from the hopper to»

1O BULLETIN NO. 39G, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

 

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SUDAN GRASS FOR HAY, SEED, AND PASTURE 1'1

produce a fairly even distribution of seeds along the furrow. The lowest
rates of seeding can not be made by this method but it is effective when
as much as five pounds of seed to the acre is planted. Broadcast plant-
ings may be made With an ordinary drill, or, on small areas, can be done
by hand and harrowed in.

Clean cultivation similar to that given row crops will suffice for Sudan
grass when planted in rows and should be prolonged in the case of pro-
duction for hay until the plants shade the ground. Following each
cutting the crop may be cultivated once to control weeds but after the
crop has a good start additional cultivations are unnecessary. Under
pasture conditions, when the seed are planted in rows it is necessary to
cultivate from time to time to control weeds, and more cultivations are
desirable than when grown for hay.

DATE OF PLANTING

While Sudan grass permits of a rather Wide range in planting dates
it should be planted early enough to allow time to mature two cuttings
in the northern part of the state and three in the southern part if it is
to be used to the best advantage. It is, however, a warm weather crop
and grows slowly as long as the weather is cool, so that no advantage is
to be gained by planting too early before the ground. warms up thoroughly.
Sudan grass seedlings during the first two to four weeks develop slowly
at best and growth is retarded, particularly, if planted too early before
warm weather opens up. There is, of course, considerable variation from
season to season in the optimum date for seeding but delaying until the
soil is warmed up results in better stands, more uniform growth, less

Table 2.—-The effect of date of planting Sudan grass on yield of hay at various Texas stations

Yield per acre (tons)
_ N0. of
Station years April May June July

tested

1-15 16-30 1-15 16-31 1-15 16-30 1-15 16-31.

Lubbock . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7 . . . . .. 3.50 . . . . .. 2.72 1.91 . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.07

Chillicothe . . . . . . . . . . . .. 7 2.10 1.88 2.03“ 1.56 1.31 1.77 1.64 1.85

Pecos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5 . . . . .. 1.35 . . . . .. 1.83 . . . . .. 1.75 . . . . .. 1.68

Denton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 . . . . .. 1 61 2.29 1 50 . . . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . ..

Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 2.10 2.09 2.16 1.90 1.61 1.34 1.64 1.53

Table 3.—Effect of date of planting 0n yield of Sudan grass hay at Lubbock.

Yield per acre (tons)

     

Average
planting date
1913 1914 1915 } 1916 1917 I918 u 1919 Average
April2l . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4.37 . . . . . . .. 2.78 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3.35 3.50
May 16 . . . . . . .. 1.77 4.30 3.85 2.65 .53 . . . . . . .. 3.19 2.72
June 13 . . . . . . .. 1.24 4.12 3.24 1.33 .72 .62 2.09 1.91
July 18 . . . . . . .. .98 2.05 . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. .22 . . . . . . .. 1.04 1.07

12 BULLETIN NO. 396, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

trouble from weeds, and usually as early a first cutting as when the crop
is planted too early.

Date of planting experiments have been conducted at four Substations
(Table 2) involving plantings from April to July, inclusive. These
results show that April 15 to May 15 is the optimum time of seeding,
that nothing is gained by planting earlier, and that June and July
plantings produce materially lower yields. This lowering in yield is
due to the fact that one cutting less is obtained. At Lubbock the yields
fall oflf rapidly from the earliest to the latest planting. May plantings
yielded 30 per cent more than June plantings and June plantings 45
per cent more than the July plantings (Table 3). In the southern part
of the State the optimum time of planting will be a month to six weeks
earlier.

At Chillicothe the highest yields were made by planting at or before
{the first of May. Seedings made the last 15 days in April averaged
about one-third of a ton of hay to the acre more than the plantings made
the last half of June. When the crop was planted between April 15 and
May 15, three cuttings were usually obtained; when planted between
.May 15 and June 15, only two cuttings were secured; and after June 15
only one cutting (Table 4).

METHOD OF PLANTING

F01‘ Hay and Pastllrer Method of seeding experiments have been con-

ducted at six substations, three of which are located in the western part of
the state, one in the Blacklands in central Texas, one in south Texas, and
one in the Gulf Coast region. The crop was planted with a grain drill
in narrow drills (8 inches apart), and referred to as broadcast, in 18-
inch rows, and in 36-inch rows. A summary of the results shows an
increase in yield for the 18-inch rows over both broadcast and 36-inch
rows. Yields from 36-inch rows were slightly larger than from broad-
cast plantings (Table 5).
- Similar experiments on the methods of seeding Sudan grass for hay
production were conducted continuously over an eight-year period at
both Lubbock and Chillicothe. The plan was the same except that 24-
inch rows were used at Chillicothe instead of 18-inch rows. At both
Stations row plantings were cultivated early in the season but not after
the first cutting.

While the results from neither Station are entirely consistent from
year to year, the yields, on the average, favor planting in rows rather
than broadcast. The greatest differences in favor of row plantings over
broadcast are evident in dry years such as 1.917, 1918, and 1921. Nar-
row rows yielded about eight per cent more than wide rows at Lubbock
but the reverse was true at Chillicothe, where wide rows averaged about
~13 per cent more hay than narrow rows (Tables 6 and 7).

A Differences in yield between these three methods of planting have been
comparatively small at both Stations but the row plantings were found

 

SUDAN GRASS FOR HAY, SEED, AND PASTURE 13

to remain green longer and to recover from drought more rapidly.
Aside from slightly better yields 0n the average, the cultivated rows
have considerable advantage in dry seasons when pasture and forage are
badly needed. Therefore, planting in 36-inch rows is recommended for
the western part of the state. When seed is cheap and plentiful and
where there is difficulty in curing the coarser hay produced from the
wide-row plantings, such as is often the case in the more humid sections
of the state, broadcast plantings may be used to advantage. There
seems to be no reason, however, for planting in narrow rows for hay
since they are more difficult to plant and cultivate and the wide rows
yield almost as Well.

Fig. 3.—Method of growing Sudan grass for hay in wide rows (top left), narrow rows (top right),
and broadcast (lower left), at Chillicothe.

The dates of planting this test varied from the last of April to the
latter part of June. Seeding was usually done as soon as the ground
warmed up sufficiently and the soil-moisture conditions were favorable.
Variations in the dates of planting indicate that no definite date is
feasible but that it will be governed entirely by prevailing conditions in
a particular season. The average date of planting at Lubbock was May
19 while at Chillicothe it was May 16. Sudan grass germinates quickly,
and under favorable conditions of temperature and moisture, will come
up in five or six days. On the average for these eight years, it required
ten days to emerge at Lubbock and seven days at Ghillicothe.

The number of days required from the date of emergence to the date
of first cutting was 72 at Lubbock and 61 at Ghillicothe, while the days
from first cutting to second cutting were 61 and '71, respectively. Forty-
nine days intervened between the second and third cuttings at Chilli-

14 BULLETIN NO. 396, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

cothe, Where a third cutting Was made three out of the eight years. At
least two cuttings Were obtained at both Stations every year except one,
which Was unusually dry. The first cutting Was usually the heaviest
and the last the lightest. During the eight years, 61 per cent of the
total hay crop was harvested from the first cutting, 28 per cent from
the second cutting, and 11 per cent from the third cutting at Chillicothe.

When planted in 3-foot rows, at Lubbock, 5'7 per cent of the total hay,
on the average, was obtained from the first cutting and 43 per cent from
the second cutting, While broadcast plantings, as will be seen later, pro-
duced 70 per cent and 30 per cent of the total hay at the first and second
cuttings, respectively. The broadcast plantings draw heavily on soil
moisture, at times almost tothe point of depletion, and following the
first cuttingpfavorable conditions must occur for the second crop to
develop well. Row plantings seem to recover moregrapidly after har-
vesting and the yields of the first and second crop are more nearly
equal.

When grown for pasture the crop may be planted in Wide rows, narrow
rows, or broadcast. Each method has advantages under certain condi-
tions, but in general, cultivated row plantings are recommended. Where
the rainfall is abundant and soil fertility is adequate to produce vigorous
growth throughout the season and little trouble is encountered from
Weeds, broadcast plantings will furnish more pasture. In Texas, favor-
able distribution of summer rainfall is uncertain and spring and summer
weeds are usually abundant, making cultivation desirable and either 18-
inch or 36-inch roW plantings preferable. Sudan grass, planted in rows,
will continue growth longer during dry Weather and recover more rapidly
after a drought than when planted broadcast.

Table 5.—-The effect ‘of method of planting Sudan grass upon yield of hay at various Texas

Stations.
_ N0. of Yield per acre (tons)
Station years
a tested ' _
Broadcast 18-in. rows 36-1n. rows
Lubbock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 8 2 1O 2.33 2 1b

Chillicothc . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 1 . 96 1 .97 2 . 23

Angleton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 3.11 3 . 69 3.17

Temple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 4 2 1O 2.47 1 89

Spur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ,. 1 4 5') 4.93 4 21

Beeville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 4 70 5.21 5 62

Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3.09 3.43 3.21

15

SUDAN GRASS FOR HAY, SEED; AND PASTURE

.9503 noQTwSr

S32 @059;

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$30k 35m T.

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16 BULLETIN NO. 396, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

F 01'. $e¢d= Production of Sudan grass seed on a commercial scale holds
an important place on many Texas farms. Tests in methods of planting
the crop for this purpose at six Substations indicate that higher yields
of seed may be expected from planting in rows than from planting
broadcast (Table 8). At Spur broadcast plantings yielded more seed
per acre than row plantings but this was the results of only one year
and in a season of high rainfall.

Table 8.——The effect of method of plantingtSudan grass upon yield of seed at various Texas

atlons.
No. of Yield of seed per acre (pounds)
Station years
tested ,
Broadcast 18-in. rows 36-in. rows
Chillicothe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 128 180 258

Lubbock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 379 405 405

Temple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 205 288 226

Spur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 990 847 974

Pecos . . . . . . . . . . . .' . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 366 740 624

Nacogdoches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. l 240 220 _

Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 344. 7 450 451.2

A test comparing broadcast, narrow rows, and ordinary rows was con-
ducted at the Lubbock and Chillicothe stations for five years and eight
years,_ respectively. The rows were 18 inches and 36 inches apart at
Lubbock and 24 inches and 40 inches at Chillicothe. Practically no
difference was found in seed yields from wide and narrow rows at Lub-
bock but 36-inch rows produced 25 pounds more seed to the acre than
broadcast plantings (Table 9). At Chillicothe the advantage was de-
cidedly in favor of the wider rows. The broadcast planting yielded 50
per cent and the narrow rows 70 per cent as much as the wide rows
(Table 10).

1t may be concluded, therefore, that Sudan grass for seed can be
planted most profitably in cultivated rows of the ordinary width and
that there is nothing to be gained by planting in narrow rows. Further-
more, the wider rows require less seed for planting, and are cultivated
and harvested more easily and economically.

Records at both Stations covering the five- and eight-year period show
the seed crop grown in rows also produces over a ton of straw to the
acre. This straw is valuable forage and an important by-product of a
seed crop. It should be saved and fed to livestock, as it is palatable
and eaten readily.

In addition to a crop of seed, a hay crop usually can be produced
anywhere in Texas or the second crop can be pastured. At Chillicothe
a seven-year average of hay production in addition to a seed crop was
one ton to the acre. Ordinarily the first crop is the best crop to allow
to seed but it sometimes happens that the first crop is checked by
drought and if allowed to stand the seed production would be low and
the crop would mature unevenly. In such an instance it is well to mow

SUDAN GRASS FOR HAY, SEED, AND PASTURE 17

the first crop for hay and the second crop may grow off evenly and
mature a seed crop under more favorable conditions.

The per cent of seed to total forage at Lubbock averaged 12 to 15 per
cent. Seed crops grown in 36-inch rows threshed out 15.3 per cent;
when~sown broadcast they threshed out about 3 per cent less. Straw
yields are slightly higher in broadcast and narrow-row plantings but
undoubtedly the wider rows are more favorable for the development of
a seed crop. l

The average number of days required to mature a seed crop was 113
at Lubbock and 89 at Chillicothe.

RATE OF PLANTING

F01‘ Hay and Pasture! The common methods of planting are broad-
cast and in cultivated rows of the ordinary width. Rate of planting
experiments for broadcast, 36-inch rows and 18-inch rows, will be
discussed in that order. r a

Fig. 4.-—Mowing Sudan grass sown broadcast for hay at Lubbock.

Trials of different rates of planting Sudan grass broadcast were car-
ried out at seven substations and at some of them the tests covered a
number of years. The results are not continuous for the same period
of years and the seeding rates at the various stations were not always the
same. In order to summarize these data the planting rates have been
placed into groups differing by ten pounds, beginning with the 10- to
19-pound rate and ending with the 40- to 49-pound rate. The yields

18 BULLETIN NO. 396, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

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SUDAN GRASS FOR HAY. SEED, AND PASTURE 19

from the average of all these tests varied from 2.94 to 3.26 tons of hay
to the acre but a close study of the results reveals little consistent differ-
ence in yield due t0 different seeding rates. The heaviest rate of seed-
ing shows the highest yield but this increase is due entirely t0 including
the results of a single year from Spur and Beeville, and a year when the
yield was large. When the yields from the first three groups of seeding
rates are averaged 0n a comparative basis, by omitting Pecos there seems
to be no significant difference in hay produced from broadcast plantings
at 10, 20, or 30 pounds of seed to the acre (Table 11).

Table 11.—The effect of rate of seeding Sudan grass broadcast upon yields of hayfat various
exas Stations.

Yield per acre (tons)
N0. of
Station years Rate of seeding, pounds

tested

10——19 20-29 30-39 40-49

Lubbock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 11 2.30 2.29 2.47 2.16

Chillicothe . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 7 2.27 2.44 2.37 . . . . . . . . . .

Temple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5 2.61 2.20 2.02 2.29

Beaumont . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1.87 1.70 1.66 1.80

Spur . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1 4.88 5 03 5.02 5.05

Beeville . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 4.84 4.77 5.58 5.01

Pecos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1 2.28 2.14 . . . . . . . . . . . . . » . . . . . ..

Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 3.01 2.94 3 19 3 26

The longest and most continuous results in broadcast rate of planting
Sudan grass for hay were obtained at Lubbock and Chillicothe and cover
eleven and seven years, respectively (Tables 12 and 13). Six rates of
seeding between 10 and 40 pounds to the acre were included at Lubbock
and the tests extended over a sufficiently long period of time to bring out
any increase or decrease in yield due to seeding rate. The experiments
at Chillicothe included five different rates of seeding for seven years. In
neither of these experiments were there any consistent and significant
differences in yield which may be charged to the rate of planting. It
seems safe to conclude that under the conditions prevailing at Lubbock
and Chillicothe rates of seeding between 1O and 40 pounds to the acre
broadcast do not materially affect the yield of hay produced one way or
the other. Sudan seed is usually of high viability, comes up readily,
and when conditions for germination are good 15 or 20 pounds of seed
should be ample. Heavier rates of seeding will help hold early weeds in
check, but, if seed are high in price, as little as 10 pounds of seed to the
acre may be the more profitable.

Sudan grass tillers freely and has the ability and tendency to thus
adjust itself to the original stand. This characteristic of the plant en-
ables it to compensate for lack of stand by tillering and probably largely
accounts for the negligible differences found when the crop is planted at
either light or heavy rates.

Two cuttings of hay were obtained from broadcast plantings in all

2O BULLETIN NO. 396, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

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SUDAN GRASS FOR HAY, SEED, AND PASTURE 21

except one year of the test at both Lubbock and Chillicothe and a third
cutting was made at the latter station during three of the seven years.
On the average, 70 per cent of the total hay crop was harvested at the
first cutting and 30 per cent at the second cutting at Lubbock. At
Chillicothe, 63 per cent of the total hay was produced at the first cut-
ting. A growing period of 63 to 67 days Was required between cuttings.

 

 

Fig. 5.—-—Texas produces the bulk of Sudan grass seed for the United States. A seed crop in
the shock and a second crop growing for hay or pasture in the South Plains.

Sudan grass in Texas is usually planted in cultivated rows. Rate of
seeding tests at four substations (Table 14) have been placed in four
groups ranging from 5 pounds to 20 pounds of seed to the acre. These
tests were grown in 3-foot rows and cultivated when necessary to keep
down weed growth. The yields produced from various rates of plant-
ing indicate that 5 to 10 pounds of seed are sufficient. At Lubbock,
‘differences in yield between 5-, 10-, and 15-pound rates of seeding are
very slight but favor the lower rates. At Temple, a 10-pound rate of
seeding proved the best.

Table 14.——The effect of rate of seeding Sudan grass in three-foot rows on yield of hay at
various Texas Stations. '

Yield of hay per acre (tons)
No. of
Station years Rate, pounds
tested
1-5 6-10 11-15 16-20
Lubbock . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8 2 2.15 2.14 . . . . . . . . ..

Pecos . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 5 1 29 .88 1.42 1.13

Temple . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 1.99 1.67 1.07

College Station . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2 . . . . . . . . . . 3.61 . . . . . . . . . . 3.56

Average . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. 1.74 2.16 1.74 1.92

 

   
  

22 BULLETIN NO._396, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

,-

The effect of rate of seeding in 3-foot rows on the yield of hay ati
Lubbock for each of the eight years from 1916 to 1923 is rather con-j
sistently in favor of the lighter rates. The differences are small, on thel
average, but it seems clear that seeding more than 5 pounds to the acre s?
is unnecessary and unprofitable (Table 15). Practical experience has/ii;
also demonstrated the fact that 3 or 4 pounds to the acre will suflice. '
Rate of planting experiments in 18-inch rows also indicate that five to '2
ten pounds of seed to the acre are sufficient.

 

Table 15.——-The effect 0f rate of seeding Sudan grass in 18-inch and 36-inch rows on yield of i
hay and per cent of crop harvested at each cutting, 1916-23, at Lubbock.

Yield of forage per acre (tons)
Date
18-in rows 36-in. rows
Year
Rate of planting Rate of planting
Plant- — Aver- Aver-
ed Up 5 lb. 10 lb. 15 lb. 20 lb. age 5 lb. 10 lb. 15 lb. age
1916 . . . . . . .. 6/14 6/21 2.51 4.96 3.28 2.98 3.43 2.80 2.84 3 51 3.05
1917 . . . . . . . . 6/26 7/24 .86 .82 .85 .84 .84 .66 .77 72 .
1918 . . . . . .. 5/ 8 5 2.27 2.00 1.70 2.94 2.23 _ 1.88 2.19 2 22 2.10
1919 5/ 3 5/10 3.26 2.16 1.78 3.78 2.75 2.16 2.46 2 23 2.28
1920 . . . . . . .. 5/22 5/28 3.53 2.90 2.15 2.05 2.66 2.60 2.75 2 05 2.47
1921 . . . . . .. 5/ 3 5/10 3.61 3.66 3.29 3.70 3.57 3.85 3.33 3 46 3.55
1922 . . . . . .. 5/11 5/20 1.84 1.14 1.92 1.84 1.69 1.71 1.44 1 44 1.53
1923 . . . . . . .. 4/30 5 0 1.38 1.44 1 54 1.64 1 50 1.74 1.45 1 46 1.55
Average... 5/19 5/29 2.41 2.39 2.06 2.47 2.33 2 18 2 15 2 14 2.16
Average per cent of total
crop harvested:*
At lst cutting . . . . . . . . . . . . 48.84 50.59 54.04 55.96 52.35 51.42 49.47 48.86 49.91
At 2nd cutting . . . . . . . . . .. 51.16 49.41 45.96 44.04 47.64 48.58 50.53 51.14 50.08

*Exclusive of 1917.

The 10-pound seeding rate in 3-foot rows produced almost exactly
equal quantities of hay at each of the two cuttings, while the 5-pound or
lighter rate yielded slightly the most hay from the first cutting and the
15-pound rate produced a little more of its crop at the second cutting.
In 18-inch rows, the per cent of total crop produced at the first cutting
increased as the rate of planting increased.

It is desirable to use heavier rates of seeding for pasture than for hay
production, since, with a thick stand, awaiting the development of tillers
to thicken up the stand is not essential and earlier grazing can be ob-
tained. Thick planting, furthermore, tends to suppress weeds and this
feature is more important where Sudan is used as a grazing crop since
the grass is frequently eaten close to the ground and weeds have the ad-
vantage of ample sunlight to make for vigorous growth. Ten to 20
pounds of seed to the acre should be planted when grown in rows for
pasture and 20 to 30 pounds to the acre when sown broadcast.

F01‘ Seed! Data from the Lubbock Station on the effect of rate of
planting broadcast and in cultivated rows on seed production extend
over five years (Table 16). In the broadcast plantings,ithe yields of
seed decreased directly as the rate of planting increased. Ten pounds

23

SUDAN GRASS ‘FOR HAY, SEED, AND PASTURE

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24 BULLETIN NO. 396, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

of seed to the acre, when sown broadcast for seed production, un-
doubtedly is more profitable than a heavier rate. This rate produced
6O pounds more seed to the acre than when 15 pounds of seed were
planted and '70 pounds more than when the rate was 20 pounds to the
acre. The 10-pound rate also produced larger straw yields. i

Seed crops in cultivated rows also gave the highest yields from a
10-pound rate of seeding, yielding 50 pounds to the acre more than the
5-pound rate and 100 pounds more than the 15-pound rate. Probably
the optimum rate for seed production lies somewhere between 5 and 10
pounds of seed per acre. Ten pounds of seed produces a stand thick
enough to discourage stooling, and as a consequence, a crop of seed very
uniform in maturity and height is produced. Large yields of seed
have been produced from planting two or three pounds of seed to the
acre. This permits heavy stooling of the plants and uneven ripening
so that greater care must be used in harvesting at the proper time to
avoid loss from shattering.

Ten pounds of seed to the acre gave the highest yield both in 23-foot
rows and broadcast. The yield of seed from 3-foot rows, however, ex-
ceeded the broadcast planting by 30 pounds to the acre during the five
years. The average yield of all rates in rows was 25 pounds of seed to
the acre more than the average of the broadcast rates. '

STAGE OF HARVESTING

Sudan grass was harvested at four different stages of growth, namely:
before heading, first heads, full bloom, and seed in the milk. During
the six years of this experiment there was on the average eight to ten
days’ interval between each of the successive stages for the first cutting
of the season. Cutting for hay when the first heads began to appear
and when the plants were in full bloom showed no appreciable difference
in the yield of hay obtained. Waiting until full bloom seemed to
slightly increase the hay per cutting but in delaying to this stage one
less cutting was secured in the six years. Delay of harvesting until the
seed were in the milk stage reduced the yield on the average, approxi-
mately, one-third of a ton to the acre, due to the loss of a third cutting.
Harvesting before the crop had headed reduced each individual cutting
and following harvest the crop failed to grow as vigorously as when cut
at the more mature stages. Yields of hay were reduced by almost two-
thirds of a ton to the acre when harvested before the crop began to head.

When the grass was cut in full bloom, the average yield per acre was
2.47 tons compared with 2.44; tons at the stage first heads appeared, 2.12
tons when seed were in the milk, and 1.84 tons at the earliest stage, or
about a week before the first heads appeared (Table 17).

If only two cuttings are desired in the northern part of the state the
first cutting should be made at any time from full bloom to the stage
of seed in the milk or soft dough. In certain seasons additional growth
will come on after the second cutting but the more economical practice is
to pasture it off. In the southern half of the state three cuttings may

SUDAN GRASS FOR HAY, SEED, AND PASTURE 25

  
  

be obtained when harvested at this stage and a similar aftermath pro-
 duced for grazing.

i Sudan grass hay is nutritious and palatable when cut at any of the
 stages mentioned and it is occasionally advisable to mow the crop in
ff whatever stage of development it may be if growth is checked by drought
or a frost. Usually, however, Sudan grass should be harvested for hay
 the time of heading or in the bloom.

i TableilT-Elfect of stage of harvesting Sudan grass upon yields of hay at Chillicothe. Summary
f; of years 1916-1922, inclusive.

   

Length of season, days No. of years with 6 year Total

_ ' avera e No.
Stage cut fromlst ‘from 2d ' _ yiel cuttings

to 1_st to 2nd to 3rd One Two Three 1n tons during

cutting cutting cutting cutting cuttings cuttings 6 years
Before heading. . 45.0 58.0 40.0 1 3 2 1.84 13
f First heads. . . . . 52.8 54.8 41.5 1 3 2 2.44 13
_ Y»; Full bloom . . . . . . 61.5 54. 5 46. 0 2 2 2 2.47 12
i; Seed in milk.... 71.5 70.3 . . . . . . .. 2 4 0 2. 10

a When the crop is grown for seed it may best be harvested when the
seed in the main heads or first heads are ripe and if it is before cool
nights prvail in the fall harvesting may await the maturity of the seed
 borne on the more advanced tillers. Later in the fall when cool weather
i gsets in and high winds may intervene it is advisable not to delay har-
gvesting. At this time of the year the tillers mature their seed slowly
{and a large part of the main crop may be shattered by a few hours of
 high winds while one is waiting for the tillers to mature.

HARVESTING AND THRESHING

I The hay crop usually can be more economically harvested by cutting
7 with the mower; however, the row-binder may be used. With the latter
 method the hay is tied in bundles and may be shocked immediately and
7f, allowed to cure. The bundles will shrink a great deal and are usually
 somewhat difficult to handle. The stubble should be cut as low as pos-
sible. 'It is more practical to harvest with the mower, cure a day or two
.1; in the swath, rake into windrows, and allow to cure dry enough to put
 into the stack or mow, or to bale. Better quality of hay will result if
ff not left too long in the swath. Sudan grass hay cures readily in the
. western part of the state where there are drying winds but in the more
.humid sections ‘of the state, or if rain intervenes, it may become neces-
. j sary to turn the windrows or cocks to hasten drying-out.

If the crop is grown for seed the best method of harvesting is with the
row-binder. Less seed are shattered from the heads by this method of
harvesting than any other. The grain binder may be used and will

a handle the crop satisfactorily. Rather large shocks should be made, as
small shocks are apt to twist and blow down.

Ordinary threshers handle the whole bundles of the seed crop readily,

 

     
 

26 BULLETIN NO. 396, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION


but if the small farm unit thresher is used, it is sometimes foumlfg
desirable to feed the upper half of the bundle into the machine until 
seed are threshed off and then the bundle butts are thrown aside. It 
important to properly regulate the air blast in threshers to prevent loss
of seed due to their blowing over With the straw. “I I

,.;

Fig.'_6.——Harvesting a crop of Sudan grass for seed with the row binder at Dalhart.
Photographed by Office of Forage Crops.

COMPARISON OF SUDAN GRASS, SUMAC SORGO, AND COWPEAS

The area devoted to Sudan grass, both for hay and pasture, depends
not only on the production of the crop but also upon the other crops with
which it has to compete. In a large part of the state, Sudan grass has
no successful competitor as a summer pasture and hay crop. In other
sections, alfalfa, sorgo, and perennial pastures or meadows of native
Bermuda grass delegate Sudan grass to a minor place. In a section such
as the Coastal Plains region, Sudan grass hay is relatively unimportant
because it is difficult to cure on account of climatic conditions. In the
western part of the state, sorgo, Sudan grass, and the grain sorghums
are the principal forage crops and cowpeas are the legume with the
widest adaptation as a forage crop. A comparison of the forage yields
(Table 18) of these crops at the Lubbock and Chillicothe Stations, from
1913 to 1925, shows that cowpeas produced only about 24 and 4'7 per
cent, respectively, as much forage as Sudan grass. Therefore, cowpeas a
cannot compete with Sudan as a hay crop and they are notvaluable for
pasture.

Sumac sorgo produced over a ton of forage to the acre more than
Sudan grass at both Stations during these thirteen years. In view of
the fact that Sudan, as a hay crop, cures readily and is eaten without
waste by livestock, the comparative yield of Sudan with that of sorgo is
very favorable.

SUDAN GRASS FOR HAY, SEED, AND PASTURE 27

 

Table 18.—Comparativc yield of Sudan grass, sorgo, and cowpea hay at Lubbock
and Chillicothe.

 

At Lubbock, yield per acre (tons) At Chillicothe, yield per acre (tons)

~ Sudan grass Sudan grass

 Year —————— Sorgo Qov/pea ————i—i Sorgo Cowpea
} N0. forage nay No. forage hay

~' cuttings Hay cuttings Hay

913 . . . . . . . . . .. 3 1.65 1.43 .87 2 1.37 1.28 32

914 . . . . . . . . . .. 2 4.17 9.46 1.46 3 5.28 7.23

915 . . . . . . . . . .. 3 4.66 7.92 .79 3 3.62 6.85 1.75

916 . . . . . . . . . .. 2 3.67 11.00 1.37 3 1.53 2.29 .67

917 . . . . . . . . . .. 2 .32 .67 .20 2 .84 2.50 .74

918 . . . . . . . . . .. 2 .37 2.20 .37 1 .62 2.91 .29

 . . . . . . . . . .. 2 4.00 6.10 .96 2 2.07 3.05 .99

920 . . . . . . . . . .. _ 2 5.42 6.02 .80 2 2.49 4.56 1.15

921 . . . . . . . . . .. 2 4.00 3.62 .50 1 1.41 2.54 .95

922 . . . . . . . . . .. 2 2.96 2.43 .53 1 1.93 2.25 .83

923 . . . . . . . . . .. 2 3.38 3.12 .67 1 .80 3.37 .67

924 . . . . . . . . . .. 3 1.82 2.65 .83 3 3.42 3.49 .94

925 . . . . . . . . . .. 3 3.76 3.43 .85 3 3.02 3.27 1.35

 Average... . . . . . . .. 3.09 4.62 .78 . . . . . . .. 2.18 3.51 .82

  
  
 
  
   

 Sudan is a more valuable pasture crop than sorgo since it withstands
ntinuous grazing better and apparently only in rare instances is there
nger of prussic acid poisoning from Sudan grass. It was found by
 azing live stock on Sudan and sorgo growing side by side at Chilli-
the that Sudan grass was more palatable.

SUDAN GRASS FOR PASTURE

f Value 0f Pasture! Sudan grass is the most important cultivated pas-
‘ re crop in Texas and, of the sorghums, occupies approximately 50 t0
p0 per cent of the acreage devoted to pasture. Johnson grass perhaps
v cupies one-half as much and is an important pasture crop in localized
yreas. However, Johnson grass is not wilfully planted on uninfested
nd and is not important in comparison to Sudan grass except where
ready established.

, A survey of the state has shown that Sudan pasture is used in all
rming sections. It is not used extensively in the flat coastal plain of
utheast Texas, Where soil drainage conditions, insects, and Red Spot
' unfavorable to the crop. Other pasture crops, particularly the
umes, native pasture, and Bermuda grass make Sudan pasture less
cessary in certain sections of the state but its use can be increased to
vantage in practically all sections wherever conditions on the indi-
dual farm permit.

Undoubtedly the use of Sudan grass for pasture has contributed con-
derable impetus to the dairy and poultry industries since it furnishes
eap and abundant summer pasture. Hogs do well on Sudan pasture
a to make hog production profitable Sudan grass pasture is essential
A other summer pasture is not provided.

In the dairy industry, and to a lesser extent in the poultry and hog
gustries, Sudan grass pasture has already found its rightful place,

 

28 BULLETIN NO. 396, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

but 0n farms not principally devoted to livestock production, and where;

the livestock on the farm consists only of work stock and two or thr
milch cows, the value of Sudan grass for summer pasture is by no mean
given proper recognition. _Each individual farm in purely farming.
sections should have enough Sudan grass pasture to carry the farm wor
stock and milch cows through the summer and fall months.

a

Fig. 7.—-The principal value of Sudan grass in Texas is its use as a summer pasture. Dairy

 

cows grazing on Sudan. 

No accurate data on the carrying capacity of Sudan grass pasture in?

Texas with the various kinds of livestock are available but observation
and experience would indicate that, under ordinary conditions and
when the pasture is supplemental to the usual grain ration, one acre
of Sudan grass pasture, under proper management, should furnish pas-

ture for one to three cows, three to five brood sows, or 15 to 25 growingj
and fattening shoats. It should be added that in the case of dairy cows‘

greater profit is likely to result if still more pasture is provided so as to

replace a part of the grain ration. An acre of Sudan will carry 150g

to 200 chickens.

Grflwillg Sudan Pasture! The proper planting date for pasture is about
the same as for hay production and varies with the temperature in the
various sections of the state. Too early planting may be more damag
ing to a pasture crop than to a hay crop since land devoted to pasture is
more likely to be foul with weeds. Since the crop grows off slowly when
cool weather prevails and the ground is cold, Sudan grass for pasture
should not be planted until the ground is thoroughly warm. However,
the value of a summer pasture depends upon the length and the con-

tinuity of grazing as well as the total volume of pasture and when fee

is scarce and forage is unavailable, planting should be moved up to a
early a date as possible. Sudan will furnish good pasture when plante

SUDAN GRASS FOR HAY, SEED, AND PASTURE 29

as late as July and should not be dispensed with if very late planting is
necessary for any reason.

The common methods of growing Sudan grass for pasture are to plant
it in wide rows, in narrow rows, or broadcast. Each method has ad-
vantages under particular conditions but, in general, cultivated row
plantings are recommended. Where the rainfall is heavy and the soil-
moisture supply is adequate to produce vigorous growth throughout the
season and little trouble is encountered from weeds, broadcast plantings
will furnish slightly more pasture. However, in practically all parts of
the state ideal distribution of summer. rainfall is uncertain and the
season is rare when plant growth is not checked at one time or another
by scarcity of soil moisture. Under those conditions, row plantings are
more desirable since they are better able to continue growth under
drought conditions and furnish more continuous pasture, or at least, for
a longer time after severe drought conditions prevail. In addition,
where weeds are prevalent, early cultivation is essential and later culti-
vation is ofttimes desirable.

 

Fig. 8. Sudan grass pasture growing in three-foot rows at about the proper stage to begin
grazing.

It is desirable to use heavier rates of planting for pasture than for
hay production since a thick stand obviates the necessity of tillering and
allows earlier grazing. Thicker planting has a tendency to suppress
weeds since the ground is more completely occupied by the Sudan grass
plants. This feature is more important where Sudan is being pastured
than where it is being used for hay since it frequently happens that the
grass is eaten, close to the ground and weeds have the advantage of
plenty of sunlight to allow vigorous growth.

3O BULLETIN NO. 396, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

When grown in rows, ten pounds of seed to the acre should be planted
and rates as high as twenty pounds are sometimes desirable. Si11ce a
thick stand is necessary for best results, the rate will depend somewhat
upon the earliness of the planting, the soil conditions that affect germina-
tion and early growth, and the prevalence of weed seeds in the soil.

. Ten to thirty pounds of seed to the acre should be used for broadcast
plantings, the amount depending upon the same conditions as affect the
rate of planting in rows.

Pasture Management! In Texas, farms Without any kind oil’ livestock
are rare. Wherever animals are kept, year-around pasture should be
produced in so far as possible. Small grain for winter pasture and
Sudan grass for summer pasture fit well into a plan for continuous
pasture throughout the year in Texas. Usually the small grains will
furnish green pasture from October to May or June, when Sudan pasture
will become available and will continue until‘ frost. Continuous grazing
will be best supplied if separate pastures are maintained for Sudan and
small grain each year. Sudan can be grown on land which grew any
of the winter pasture crops but it is better, under ordinary conditions,
to grow it on land which has been lying idle during the winter. More-
over, it is often profitable to stop pasturing the small grain in the early
spring and allow a grain and straw crop to mature.

Sudan may be pastured very closely without damage but a good prac-
tice, which allows more livestock to the acre, is to have two or more
alternating Sudan pastures which are grazed in succession, thus allow-
ing each pasture a period of rest for making new growth. Such un-
pastured periods are not feasible with poultry since they can eat only
the tender leaves, but the lots should be small enough for the chickens
to keep the grass eaten close to the ground. If they are unable to keep
the grass eaten close, it is advisable to mow the pasture from time to time.

Livestock may be turned in on Sudan pasture when the plants are
15 to 18 inches high, have a well established root system, and are able
to continue rapid growth. When the original stand is thin and an in-
sufficient number of tillers have developed, grazing may begin at the
same stage but immediately the pasture is eaten to the ground, the live-
stock should be taken off for a few days to allow the Sudan to tiller as
much as possible.

It frequently happens during an especially favorable growing season
that the growth is greater than the animals can consume. In such a
case the livestock will eat only the leaves and the stems get progressively
more tough and woody and only the leaves continue to grow. When
the pasture is in such a condition it is advisable to mow and take the
stock 01f for a few days until new tillers are growing vigorously. Occa-
sional mowing will tend to control weed growth and in the southern and
eastern parts of the state where the Red Spot disease is prevalent, mow-
ing Will reduce the damage of this disease. Sometimes enough hay will
be secured from such mowings to be well worth raking and curing.

Adverse seasonal conditions affect the growth of Sudan grass pasture

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SUDAN GRASS FOR HAY, SEED, AND PASTURE 31

and since adequate pasture is important, it is advisable to plant a
slightly larger acreage than is needed in a normal year to insure suffi-
cient grazing in a poor year. Then, if the season is normal or un-
usually favorable, the excess above the needs for pasture can be har-
vested for hay. Too much emphasis cannot be placed upon planting an
adequate acreage to Sudan for pasture whether it is on farms where
dairying, hog raising, or poultry raising is the leading enterprise, or
whether it is “to be used only for the general farm livestock. The acre-
age and management of this summer pasture crop should be planned
so as to provide a luxuriant growth of grass throughout the season.

SUMMARY

Sudan grass is an annual grass sorghum, and has high value as a
forage and pasture crop. It was introduced into this country in 1909
by the United States Department of Agriculture, was first tested at
Chillicothe, Texas, and the seed were widely distributed over the state
by the Texas Station.

Sudan grass is adapted to the entire southern half of the United
States, much of the Great Plains area, and is well suited to practically
the whole of Texas. The crop grows well on all types of soil, provided
they are comparatively fertile and well drained. It prefers a warm
summer climate of relatively low humidity, and grows only during the
warmer months of the year.

In Texas, Sudan is a good pasture and hay crop in all farming sec-
tions and the South Plains is the principal seed-producing area for the
United States.

Sudan grass for hay should be planted early enough to allow the pro-
duction of three cuttings in southern parts of the state and two in the
northern parts. The optimum planting date for the state ranges from
March 1 to May 1, the earlier date being about the optimum for the
southern parts and the latter being the optimum for the northern parts
of the state. Date-of-planting experiments at Lubbock show that yields
decline when planting is delayed past the latter part of April, and at
Chillicothe the best yields were made by planting on or before the first
of May.

Sudan grass may be planted for hay, broadcast, in 18-inch rows, or in
36-inch rows without an appreciable influence on yield. Narrow rows
yielded about 8 per cent more hay than wide rows at Lubbock, while at
Chillicothe wide rows yielded about 13 per cent more than narrow rows.
Yields at both Stations favor planting in rows rather than broadcast.
Planting in cultivated rows is the best method for seed production.

Sudan straw is a valuable by-product of seed production, which should
be fed to livestock. A seed crop produces over a ton of straw to the
acre, and in addition, a crop for pasture or hay may frequently be
produced.

On account of the tillering habit of the crop, rates of seeding above
the minimum requirement have little influence on yield of hay. Fifteen

32 BULLETIN NO. 396, TEXAS AGRICULTURAL EXPERIMENT STATION

to twenty pounds is a sufiicient amount for broadcast plantings and five
pounds is sufficient for row plantings.

Even maturity of the crop is essential in the production of seed when
the crop matures late in the fall. Ten to fifteen pounds to the acre
was best when planted broadcast, and five to ten pounds to the acre was
the optimum seeding rate when planted in rows at Lubbock.

Sudan grass hay cut at any of the premature-to-mature stages is
palatable and nutritious but the heaviest production resulted from cut-
ting when the crop was heading or was in the bloom. Earlier cutting
reduced the yield of each individual cutting and later cutting resulted in
a reduction of the number of cuttings obtained without a compensating
increase in yield per cutting.

In comparison with cowpeas Sudan grass has produced approximately
four times as much forage at Lubbock and two and one-half times as
much at Chillicothe. During this same time Sudan produced 67 and
62 per cent, respectively, as much forage as Sumac sorgo at these Sta-
tions. Considering the fact that Sudan grass is a hay crop, cures
readily, and is eaten without waste by livestock, it compares favorably
with Sumac sorgo for the production of forage.

Sudan grass is the most important cultivated pasture crop in Texas
and the acreage for pasture should be increased. Growing Sudan grass
pasture in rows furnishes more continuous pasture, especially if droughts
are prevalent, but broadcast planting may yield slightly more pasture
over a shorter period. Growing in rows for pasture also allows cultiva-
tion to control weeds.

Heavier rates of seeding are more desirable in planting for pasture
than for hay production since heavier rates allow earlier grazing and
less trouble from weeds. Ten to fifteen pounds may be planted in rows
and ten to thirty pounds broadcast.

In Texas, small grain for winter pasture and Sudan grass for summer
pasture furnish a combination that provides grazing throughout prac-
tically the entire year. Continuous pasture can only be supplied if
separate fields are provided for growing the summer and winter pastures.

Sudan grass pasture should not be grazed until the plants are 15 to 18
inches tall. Sudan can be grazed heavily without damage but it is more
profitable to have two or more pastures that are grazed in succession,
thus allowing each pasture a period of rest for making new growth.

When the plants become coarse and woody, or when weeds become large, '

the pasture should be mowed. a

It is advisable to plant a larger acreage for pasture than is needed’

in a normal year to insure suflicient grazing in a poor season. Then,
if conditions are normal or unusually favorable, the crop above the
needs for pasture can be harvested for hay.