AS9302

Product Description

AS9302 is the first BMR-6, Brachytic dwarf hybrid sudangrass to hit the market. The BMR-6 gene adds high digestibility to a plant that has very fine stems and tremendous re-growth. The Brachytic dwarf trait adds a much tighter distance between internodes, allowing for a lower cutting/grazing height and better standability. The dry stalk trait allows for quick dry down, making this one of the most versatile forage products on the market.

• Brachytic dwarf trait provides stout stalks for excellent standability
• Excellent for dry hay and rotational grazing
• Dry stalk for quick dry down
• Exceptional re-growth and BMR-6 for high digestibility 

Hybrid Sudangrass

The new Sudangrass hybrids are very aggressive, drought tolerant summer annuals. They emerge quicker and have faster regrowth than sorghum sudan (SS). Finer stems can give superior quality with the same tonnage as SS.

Establishment

Seeding rates are 25-35 lb/acre. Seeding depth is 3/4″ to 1″ deep. It is best to get the seed into the moisture. If inter-seeding into existing hay or pasture stand, make sure the grass is cut short to achieve good establishment.

Management

Sudangrass is easy to establish but does require 60°F soil temperatures (and rising). It can be grazed or cut for baleage or haylage with an optimum harvest height at 40”. Sudangrass can be made for dry hay in the southern zones but it MUST be cut by 30” to achieve dry down. It responds well to applied fertility or manure. Timely cutting (45 days after planting and 30 days for subsequent cuts) is important as quality will decline as it reaches maturity. Under favorable growing conditions, apply 1 to 1.25 lbs. of nitrogen per day of planned growth. For example, for a planned 60-day harvest, apply 50 to 75 lbs. of nitrogen; for a subsequent planned 30-day cutting, reapply 30 to 37 lbs. of nitrogen. Potassium levels should be kept up, particularly if the soil pH is lower than 6.2. If soil pH is above 7.0, a foliar application of iron may be necessary or Iron Chlorosis (yellowing of the leaves) may be a problem. This can be reduced by foliar feeding iron while plants are still young.

Harvest

AS9301 is usually harvested 45 to 55 days after emergence. For the best quality and yield under a multi-cut program, harvest at 40 days or 40 inches of growth, which ever comes first. Protein will decline as harvest is delayed. Energy will increase upon heading due to continued sugar formation in the sorghum stalks and leaves, and carbohydrate deposition in the developing grain. Careful attention should be paid to the cutting height. For regrowth, 2 nodes or 6 inches of stubble is optimal. Sharp blades provide for a clean cut and enhance regrowth.

As9301 Tech Sheet