OT Wanting crop to regerminate from seed heads

Texasmark1 · Jun 18, 2012

Have some Johnsongrass and wanting it to regerminate. Question is how mature do the heads have to be to regerminate? Reason being, I don't want to wait too long before I cut the crop to reduce the "wood" content, but I would like the rhyzomes to have a little help.

Thanks,
Mark

snoop-nc · Jun 18, 2012

Left alone, Johnson Grass will spread by seeds as well as roots. The seed head will become dry and may even change color some when mature. Hint: "Think small grain"

MOST people consider it to be "noxious" and it can be very difficult to control if trying to eradicate it.

Please check with others in your area about the advisability of promoting its growth.

I have "heard" in times gone by that Johnson Grass only makes a "fair" feed for beef and rather "Poor" for dairy. Check with your vet if you're thinking of it for horses...serious potential for severe problems if you do.

Rick

jackinok · Jun 18, 2012

We used johnson grass for hay for years.Had 50 acres of it planted at one time.and i baled a place tht was 160 acres of solid johnson grass for years.Cattle and horses stayed rolling fat,and never had one single problem at all feeding it.Strange thing, it grows wild in any moist ditch here,cattle literaly walk through the fence to eat it,and ive never seen one die yet.Some folks spend a fortune to get rid of it,and are deathly afraid of it.but in reality its deadly properties are way overrated.cattle and horses simply stop eating it when its poison because it becomes bitter and they eat something else.they will do the same to bermuda,sudan,bluestem,gamma grasses.they are a better judge than you and I of what tastes good to them.ive never had a problem getting rid of johnson grass,mow it or let cattle graze the pasture where it is and youll never see any. they eat it as fast as it grows.as far as reseeding goes just leave it be when it dries it will drop seed.

Tx Jim · Jun 19, 2012

(quoted from post at 14:28:22 06/18/12)
I have "heard" in times gone by that Johnson Grass only makes a "fair" feed for beef and rather "Poor" for dairy. Check with your vet if you're thinking of it for horses...serious potential for severe problems if you do. Rick

I agree with Jack that most livestock will prefer to graze Johnsongrass over many other species of grasses. Johnsongrass is just like any other crop. The more mature it gets the less protein & quality it has. Fertilize & cut it before the heads emerge and the protein will be very good in fact better than a lot of Bermuda hay.

Traditional Farmer · Jun 19, 2012

Johnson grass is like sorghum its only toxic in the wilted stage after being cut or when Frost hits it.Great grazing as you say its the first thing a goat will eat when turned into a new field
but its a terror on crop farmers on River bottoms

OT Wanting crop to regerminate from seed heads

Texasmark1

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snoop-nc

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jackinok

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Tx Jim

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Traditional Farmer

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