Warm-season summer annuals – sorghum-sudangrass, forage sorghum, sudangrass, pearl millet, and teff grass (pictured above) – are primarily used as a cover crop when there has been a “prevent plant” situation or the producer needs additional forage.
Warm-Season Summer Annuals Benefits & Info
- Known for drought tolerance and water efficiency
- A great choice after wheat
- Large biomass production
- Excellent root systems
Forage Considerations
- All make for great forage
- Capable of filling the “summer slump” caused by traditional cool-season forages
- Brown mid-rib (BMR) varieties are available for increased forage digestibility
- Fit well after a wheat harvest or when the calendar allows for earlier summer seedings
- WATCH OUT: Prussic acid poisoning is a possibility after a frost/freeze
Sorghum-Sudangrass
- Seeding rate: 20–50 lbs/A
- Planting depth: 3/4”–1 1/4”
- Approximate seeds/lb: 15,000–19,000
- Days to germination: 7
Forage Sorghum
- Seeding rate: 60-80,000 population; 20” to 30” rows
- Planting depth: 1”-1 1/2”
- Approximate seeds/lb: 13,000 – 15,000
- Days to germination: 7
Sudangrass
- Seeding rate: 20-30 lbs/A
- Planting depth: 1/2” – 1”
- Approximate seeds/lb: 43,000
- Days to germination: 10
Pearl Millet
- Seeding rate: 16–20 lbs/A
- Planting depth: 1/2”
- Approximate seeds/lb: 60,000
- Days to germination: 10
Teff Grass
- Seeding rate: 10-12 lbs/A
- Planting depth: 1/8”–1/4”
- Approximate seeds/lb: 1,250,000
- Days to germination: 3-5
