Sudangrass Variety Evaluation at La Paz County, 1996 (Preliminary)

Two common (Piper and Sweet Sudan), four hybrid sudangrass (NK Trudan 8, Cargill HS 35, and Germaine's G 555), and three sorghum sudangrass hybrid (DK SX 17, TE Haygrazer II, and Pioneer 877F) varieties are currently being evaluated for hay yield and quality at four cuttings in large field plots located at Quail Mesa Farms in southwest La Paz County. Preliminary results from the first two hay cuttings are presented showing that of the nine sudangrass varieties examined in this study, Piper, Cargill HS 35, and NC+ 200 sudangrass varieties had superior hay tonnage and quality. However, we need to determine if this pattern of hay tonnage and quality can be maintained over at least four hay cuttings. The sorghum -sudangrass hybrids produced relatively poor quality hay, and had relatively high prussic acid levels at the second cutting.