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Switchgrass
SWITCHGRASS is a native, perennial, warm-sea-son
sod-forming tall grass. It is most commonly found in prairie
lowlands, but will grow under a wide range of climatic
conditions. A thick stand of Switchgrass makes excellent
winter and early spring wildlife cover because of its ability to
remain in an upright position when covered with snow or ice.
Many farmers prefer Switchgrass to other varieties of native
grasses because of the hard seed coat that easily feeds through
conventional seeders. A drought-resistant grass, it even
produces well in the driest years. During the dry summer of
1988, a Missouri producer reported his Cave-in-Rock
Switchgrass hayed in mid-July yielded 6000 pounds per acre,
compared to fescue hayed in late May which produced barely
1000 pounds per acre.
FACTS ABOUT SWITCHGRASS:
Switchgrass is the earliest maturing warm-season
grass.
It is drought tolerant, salt tolerant, and acid
tolerant.
Native and established stands provide good wildlife
cover. A Switchgrass provides excellent erosion control. Switchgrass is categorized as a sand stabilizer.
VARIETY:
Alamo was developed in Texas. The foliage is coarser than some varieties and often reaches 10 feet
in height. Its late maturity date insures production into the early fall.
Kanlow is a lowland variety of Switchgrass that is suited to the southern two-thirds of the United
States in lowland sections. It is especially well suited to poorly drained sites or areas subject to
periodic flooding, but also performs well on upland soils. Young plants are succulent and are readily
grazed by livestock.
Blackwell is a variety that produces lush foliage longer into the growing season, and is disease
resistant. Heavy vigorous roots and stems make it excellent for conservation use.
Cav-in-Rock originated in Illinois. It is a top choice among all the Switchgrass varieties because of
its palatability and disease resistance. Cave-in-Rock Switchgrass is noted for its adaptability to the
growing conditions found in the more eastern states, especially the high humidity areas. It grows
best in years of average rainfall and temperature. Plants often reach over 5 feet at maturity. Late
maturing, it grows best on fertile. well drained soils.
Nebraska 28 is a particularly well adapted grass for the sandhills of Nebraska or similar types of
soils and conditions.
Pathfinder is a late maturing, winter hardy, vigorous variety of Switchgrass. Pathfinder gives
superior results in stand establishment, forage, and seed production.
Shelter originated in New York and is used primarily for wildlife plantings and highway rights of
way. It is durable and demonstrates great standability.
Summer is a variety know for its leafy, rust resistant early appearing vegetation. Growing tall with
coarse, late maturing leaves, it is particularly well adapted for North Dakota, South Dakota, and
Minnesota.
Trailblazer is a variety of Switchgrass that refines the finest qualities of Pathfinder and adds an
even greater degree of winter strength. Northern states with a harsh climate find this variety
particularly suitable for their needs. It is a very palatable grass with a high T.D.N. (total digestible
nutrients).
ESTABLISHMENT / MANAGEMENT
As with all warm season grasses, good soil to seed contact is essential. A firm moist seed bed that
has been tested for deficiencies of the soil with applications made to correct these deficiencies is the
basis for the grass crop. Switchgrass begins growing in mid-spring with about 70 percent of its
production after June 1. Switchgrass should not be grazed or hayed below the 6 inch height, and the
hay harvesting should not be scheduled too late in the growing season (approximately August 15).
Switchgrass may benefit from a controlled burn every 3 to 5 years to eliminate residue and mulch
build up. If you choose to fertilize, avoid high rates of nitrogen. Allow 8 to 8 inches of stubble to
remain through the winter to provide insulation for the root system, assuring a healthy, vigorous
growth the following spring.
SWITCHGRASS is a native, perennial, warm-sea-son
sod-forming tall grass. It is most commonly found in prairie
lowlands, but will grow under a wide range of climatic
conditions. A thick stand of Switchgrass makes excellent
winter and early spring wildlife cover because of its ability to
remain in an upright position when covered with snow or ice.
Many farmers prefer Switchgrass to other varieties of native
grasses because of the hard seed coat that easily feeds through
conventional seeders. A drought-resistant grass, it even
produces well in the driest years. During the dry summer of
1988, a Missouri producer reported his Cave-in-Rock
Switchgrass hayed in mid-July yielded 6000 pounds per acre,
compared to fescue hayed in late May which produced barely
1000 pounds per acre.
FACTS ABOUT SWITCHGRASS:
Switchgrass is the earliest maturing warm-season
grass.
It is drought tolerant, salt tolerant, and acid
tolerant.
Native and established stands provide good wildlife
cover. A Switchgrass provides excellent erosion control. Switchgrass is categorized as a sand stabilizer.
VARIETY:
Alamo was developed in Texas. The foliage is coarser than some varieties and often reaches 10 feet
in height. Its late maturity date insures production into the early fall.
Kanlow is a lowland variety of Switchgrass that is suited to the southern two-thirds of the United
States in lowland sections. It is especially well suited to poorly drained sites or areas subject to
periodic flooding, but also performs well on upland soils. Young plants are succulent and are readily
grazed by livestock.
Blackwell is a variety that produces lush foliage longer into the growing season, and is disease
resistant. Heavy vigorous roots and stems make it excellent for conservation use.
Cav-in-Rock originated in Illinois. It is a top choice among all the Switchgrass varieties because of
its palatability and disease resistance. Cave-in-Rock Switchgrass is noted for its adaptability to the
growing conditions found in the more eastern states, especially the high humidity areas. It grows
best in years of average rainfall and temperature. Plants often reach over 5 feet at maturity. Late
maturing, it grows best on fertile. well drained soils.
Nebraska 28 is a particularly well adapted grass for the sandhills of Nebraska or similar types of
soils and conditions.
Pathfinder is a late maturing, winter hardy, vigorous variety of Switchgrass. Pathfinder gives
superior results in stand establishment, forage, and seed production.
Shelter originated in New York and is used primarily for wildlife plantings and highway rights of
way. It is durable and demonstrates great standability.
Summer is a variety know for its leafy, rust resistant early appearing vegetation. Growing tall with
coarse, late maturing leaves, it is particularly well adapted for North Dakota, South Dakota, and
Minnesota.
Trailblazer is a variety of Switchgrass that refines the finest qualities of Pathfinder and adds an
even greater degree of winter strength. Northern states with a harsh climate find this variety
particularly suitable for their needs. It is a very palatable grass with a high T.D.N. (total digestible
nutrients).
ESTABLISHMENT / MANAGEMENT
As with all warm season grasses, good soil to seed contact is essential. A firm moist seed bed that
has been tested for deficiencies of the soil with applications made to correct these deficiencies is the
basis for the grass crop. Switchgrass begins growing in mid-spring with about 70 percent of its
production after June 1. Switchgrass should not be grazed or hayed below the 6 inch height, and the
hay harvesting should not be scheduled too late in the growing season (approximately August 15).
Switchgrass may benefit from a controlled burn every 3 to 5 years to eliminate residue and mulch
build up. If you choose to fertilize, avoid high rates of nitrogen. Allow 8 to 8 inches of stubble to
remain through the winter to provide insulation for the root system, assuring a healthy, vigorous
growth the following spring.