Optimum stand height for forage brown midrib sorghum x sudangrass in north-eastern USA

Brown midrib sorghum x sudangrass is attracting attention in the north-eastern USA because of its ability to produce acceptable forage yields on marginal corn ground. Other potential advantages include conservation of soil on highly erosive ground, the possibility to spread manure mid-summer (after first cutting) when runoff risk is minimal, greatly reduced needs for herbicides and the potential to reduce the importation of phosphorus onto the farm. Best management practices need to be developed to take full advantage of the crop in the north-east. Seven field studies were conducted from 2000 to 2002 in four different agricultural regions in New York to determine the time of harvest optimum for yield and quality in one- to three-cut management systems. Yield, rather than a change in forage quality indicators, was the key determining factor for estimated milk production. However, to prevent the shift from vegetative to reproductive growth (and associated decline in quality) and to better manage the amount of water at harvest, we recommend that in the north-eastern USA brown midrib sorghum sudangrass be managed using a two-cut system with harvest taking place when stand heights are about 125 cm or less.