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ARS Home » Research » Publications at this Location » Publication #209721
Title: PERENNIAL WARM-SEASON GRASSES

Author
item PETERSON, PAUL - UNIV OF MINNESOTA
item RAYBURN, EDWARD - WEST VIRGINIA UNIV
item CROPPER, JAMES - USDA-NRCS
item Belesky, David

Submitted to: Book Chapter
Publication Type: Book / Chapter
Publication Acceptance Date: 10/4/2006
Publication Date: 12/6/2006
Citation: Peterson, P.R., Rayburn, E.B., Cropper, J.B., Belesky, D.P. 2006. Perennial warm-season grasses. In: Rayburn, E.B. (ed). Forage utilization for pasture-based livestock production. Ithaca, NY. NRAES-173.

Interpretive Summary:

Technical Abstract: Warm-season grasses and can be used to augment the forage supply for grazing livestock operations in the northeastern U.S. Much of what is known about warm season grass production and management in the northeastern US was obtained from a soil conservation or wildlife habitat perspective. Warm-season grasses such as bermudagrass, Caucasian bluestem, and switchgrass grow and persist in many parts of the region and are productive when traditional cool-season forage based pasture productivity slows in mid-season. An overview is presented to develop a basic understanding of productivity and nutritive value patterns as a function of species characteristics, time during the growing season, and canopy management. Practical information is provided on establishment and harvest techniques. The information should have immediate practical utility to pasture managers and small-scale livestock producers seeking to improve the seasonal distribution of forage mass in their farming operations to meet livestock nutritional needs.