This time of year, I often get questions about what type of summer annual forages to plant in Colquitt County. Warm season annual grasses are established from seed and are productive during spring and summer. Below are great tips from Dr. Lisa Baxter on the subject of summer annual forages.
Dr. Lisa Baxter Extension Forage Specialist (UGA-Tifton)
- TEST YOUR SOILS!
- Follow the soil test recommendations — Forage crop fertility recommendations can be found here.
- Split fertilizer applications
- Don’t forget about the lime
- Select a recommended species and variety
- Buy certified seed (look for the blue tag)
- Prepare your seedbed
- Plow/disc at least 2-4 wks prior to planting
- Incorporate lime and fertilizer
- Incorporate PPI herbicide
- Allow time to settle or firm with cultipacker/roller
- Boot tracks should be ~1/4 in. deep
- Broadcasting may be faster but will increase seeding costs and will likely result in lower yields!
- Seed to soil contact is critical for germination!
- Get your seed drill ready before its time to plant
- Prep seed cups and drop tubes
- Clean out hoppers
- Calibrate (don’t trust the settings on your seed drill)
- Set up for proper drops
- Set your press wheels
- A great resource to use to help calibrate seeders and grains is the publication Preparing and Calibrating a No-Till or Conventional Drill for Establishing Forage or Cover Crops
- Plant the right rate at the right time
Seeding Rate | |||
Species | Planting Date | Drilled | Broadcast |
Pearl Millet | Apr. 1 – Aug. 1 | 12-15 | 20-25 |
Sorghum x Sudan | Apr. 1 – Aug. 15 | 15-20 | 25-30 |
Sudangrass | Apr. 1 – Aug. 1 | 10-15 | 20-25 |
Forage Sorghum | Apr. 15 – June 1 | 6-8 | NR |
Crabgrass | 3-5 |
- Plant at the correct depth
- Millets and Sorghums: 1/2” to 1”
- Crabgrass: no deeper than 1/4”
- Seeding too deep is a major cause of establishment failure!
- Coulters should cut about twice depth of seed’s size
- Manage insects and weeds
- Scout early and often
- Accurate ID is key!
- Follow recommendations in the Georgia Pest Control Handbook
10. Graze or bale
- Yields are contingent on planting date and weather
- Quality depends on stage of growth
- Don’t graze too short (be aware of growing points à especially if you are looking for regrowth)
If you have forage questions please contact your local county Extension agent.