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Johnson grass
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<blockquote data-quote="Arnold Ziffle" data-source="post: 254344" data-attributes="member: 43"><p>Some folks really look down their nose at Johnson grass and consider it to be a nuisance and highly inferior, but IMHO it really does make pretty good feed and it is basically free. I sure wouldn't want it to get started in a nice bermuda hay meadow or in some other situations, but it has its uses. Responds well to a little moisture and light discing that stirs up the ground for seeds and to stimulate the rhizones. Makes good hay as well -- there have been a number of years that my cows were thrilled to have it to eat when there was nothing else available to me within reason. (I fed it along with whole cottonseed and the gals did just fine). It won't last too long in a field with cattle grazing it continuously.</p><p></p><p>But neighboring row-crop farmers might want to come after you and wallop you with a 2X4 if they see you actively trying to grow the stuff! <img src="data:image/gif;base64,R0lGODlhAQABAIAAAAAAAP///yH5BAEAAAAALAAAAAABAAEAAAIBRAA7" class="smilie smilie--sprite smilie--sprite1" alt=":)" title="Smile :)" loading="lazy" data-shortname=":)" /> </p><p></p><p>Like a lot of grasses, if you in fact want it, you'll need to manage it properly and keep its limitations in mind. Johnson grass, as well as related sorghums, millet, corn, etc. has the potential to accumulate harmful levels of nitrates especially when grown in severely drought stressed conditions, as well as in other conditions. The above grasses (other than millet) also can be susceptible to prussic acid buildup, but that dissipates over a relatively short time, unlike nitrates.</p><p></p><p>Ag labs, junior colleges, etc. can test for nitrate, etc. and it is cheap insurance if you have doubts. If you do a google search for something like "nitrate poison in cattle" (or prussic acid poison in cattle) you'll find a lot to read.</p></blockquote><p></p>
[QUOTE="Arnold Ziffle, post: 254344, member: 43"] Some folks really look down their nose at Johnson grass and consider it to be a nuisance and highly inferior, but IMHO it really does make pretty good feed and it is basically free. I sure wouldn't want it to get started in a nice bermuda hay meadow or in some other situations, but it has its uses. Responds well to a little moisture and light discing that stirs up the ground for seeds and to stimulate the rhizones. Makes good hay as well -- there have been a number of years that my cows were thrilled to have it to eat when there was nothing else available to me within reason. (I fed it along with whole cottonseed and the gals did just fine). It won't last too long in a field with cattle grazing it continuously. But neighboring row-crop farmers might want to come after you and wallop you with a 2X4 if they see you actively trying to grow the stuff! :) Like a lot of grasses, if you in fact want it, you'll need to manage it properly and keep its limitations in mind. Johnson grass, as well as related sorghums, millet, corn, etc. has the potential to accumulate harmful levels of nitrates especially when grown in severely drought stressed conditions, as well as in other conditions. The above grasses (other than millet) also can be susceptible to prussic acid buildup, but that dissipates over a relatively short time, unlike nitrates. Ag labs, junior colleges, etc. can test for nitrate, etc. and it is cheap insurance if you have doubts. If you do a google search for something like "nitrate poison in cattle" (or prussic acid poison in cattle) you'll find a lot to read. [/QUOTE]
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