Grass type

[RD-Sam]

I was curious what the opinons are of the type of grass that works best in the southest part of Tennessee? The property is a little northwest of Knoxville, and it's mostly bottomland where the cattle are kept. The grass grows really well there too. I am going to be clearing more of the property and just curious about what grass typically works best in this part of the country. :help:

 

[Red Bull Breeder]

Fescue, ochard grass clover maybe some native warm season grasses.

 

[dun]

If you have no KY31 fescue I would look at one of thefriendly endophyte types fo fescue. Or I would just plant KY31 and generously frost seed clover into it

 

[RD-Sam]

Looks like I am going to have to make certain what is there already, I was reading that it isn't good to mix grasses. Endophyte type Fescue seems to be the grass of choice as far as the fescues. I have an area that is about two and a half acres that has no grass, it's wooded, but I am going to clear out most of the trees and plant grass, it has a stream that runs parallel to it. It will be a seperate area, may use it to keep a bull later on.

I was also reading that Bluestem is native to Tennessee, but the fescue took over when it was introduced many moons ago. Bluestem seems to be the choice for hay, what are your opinions on that? I have access to an area that was just cleared, I was thinking of seeing about planting Bluestem there and cutting it for hay? The state of Tennessee is going back and replanting Bluestem in many areas.

 

[dun]

Bluestem is very productive for about 3 months of the year. It has some pretty tricky managment requirements plus it's slow to establish.

 

[dun]

Bluestem wont survive the hot summers. That is where fescue comes in.

HUH? Our bluestem (Warm Season Grass) goes nuts in the summer, the hotter the better. Fescue (Cool Season Grass) goes dormant when the temps start to rise much into the 80s

 

[RD-Sam]

I was wondering about that, the bluestem even grows in drought conditions because the roots are so deep in the ground. I was just curious if it would be beneficial to plant a field for hay in it (not intended for grazing)? Even if it was only good for three months out of the year, would it grow fast enough to be productive, or would something else be better? I was looking at it from the standpoint of the hay supposing to have more nutrition. :?:

 

[dun]

Bluestem hay is really pretty low in CP, better as pasture. Once established (2 year minimum) It grows a lot of mass. It can;t be cut or grazed very short, about 5-6 inches and needs a rest period late summer/early fall to rebuild root reserves. I had to make risers for my mower so I could cut it at 6 inches. It's harder to rake then most hay because of the length of stubble that you have to leave (5-6 inches).
If all you plan on doing with it is hay, you mivht try alfalfa if it will grow in your area, hay beans, millet, or if you want a permanent planting, fescue, maybe OG or timothy if they will grow in your area.