Can you use Johnsongrass for hay?
Believe it or not Johnsongrass can be just as high in crude protein and energy (TDN) than coastal bermudagrass. Its an excellent grazing and haying forage, you just need to pay attention and manage it correctly. When I was growing up we depended on our Johnsongrass meadows for hay.
Is Johnsongrass hay bad for horses?
Cyanide concentration drops to safe levels in johnsongrass when cured for hay, and it is safe to feed. When stressed, the grass develops cyanide, and horses that eat johnsongrass can encounter breathing problems, anxiety, staggering, convulsions, coma, and death.
How toxic is Johnsongrass?
Johnsongrass is toxic when under stress, including for about 72 hours after a “killing” frost. After a “burn back” frost, it can be toxic for at least 10 days and possibly longer. When the plant is under stress, it produces a chemical called prussic or hydrocyanic acid (HCN), or more commonly called cyanide.
Is Johnsongrass good hay for cows?
Johnsongrass that’s healthy can provide excellent forage for livestock. Under stress, johnsongrass can become poisonous and produce toxic amounts of prussic acid (cyanide) following frost, drought or physical stress such as from trampling.
Why is Johnsongrass bad?
It is high on the list of prussic acid (hydrogen cyanide) producers under stressful conditions. As plant tissues dry, prussic acid levels will decline to safe levels. Johnsongrass also has the ability to accumulate toxic levels of nitrates.
How do you get Johnsongrass out of hay field?
Outrider (sulfosulfuron) is an effective herbicide on Johnsongrass found in bermudagrass or bahiagrass pastures and hay meadows. For successful control, Outrider must be applied during active growth that is at least 18 to 24 inches tall and up to the heading stage.
Can horses graze on Johnson grass?
Johnsongrass is a drought-tolerant weed that can cause nerve and fetal damage in horses. Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) is a drought-tolerant noxious weed that can infiltrate pastures and hayfields. Horses grazing in such fields could ingest large amounts of Johnsongrass if supplemental hay is not provided.
Will Johnson grass hurt a cow?
Johnsongrass, which can be found in pastures, can produce toxic levels of prussic acid, especially when stressed during cold temperatures and can then poison cattle. Cattle may suffer from prussic acid poisoning caused by this grass.
How do you get rid of Johnson grass in a hay field?
Mix the herbicide glyphosate according to label directions. Pour the herbicide into a rope wick applicator. Walk through the hayfield and wipe each blade of the Johnson grass you come across. The tip of the rope wick applicator will keep the herbicide from coming into contact with the hay field crop plants.
Does Kentucky bluegrass make good hay?
Kentucky bluegrass is very winter hardy but does not tolerate hot, dry summers found further south. It is low-growing and, therefore, low-yielding. As such, it is not an ideal forage for hay, but it excellent for horse pasture. It is highly nutritious, very palatable, and tolerant of close, frequent grazing.
Is Johnsongrass bad for cattle?
Johnsongrass, which can be found in pastures, can produce toxic levels of prussic acid, especially when stressed during cold temperatures and can then poison cattle. Prussic acid is one of the most potent toxins in nature. The toxin usually dissipates within 48 hours.
What happens if a horse eats Johnson grass?
Johnsongrass has high levels of glucosides, which place horses at risk of devastating conditions, including cystitis-ataxia syndrome. Johnsongrass toxicity may lead to neurologic problems and lower spinal cord damage in horses, particularly after periods of prolonged grazing or if a horse ingests it as a contaminant of hay.
When is Johnson grass toxic to the environment?
The short answer is it is toxic when it is under stress. Well, that doesn’t mean a lot to most people, so the longer answer is as follows. Where we have the most potential for problems with Johnsongrass in our area is at frost time. If we have a ‘killing’ frost, then it is toxic for about 72 hours, or 3 full days.
What kind of grass is toxic to horses?
Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense) is a perennial, drought-resistant grass that causes toxicity in cattle and horses.
Is it safe to cut Johnson grass hay?
The remainder of the hay could be cut at any time. Both will be safe as far as prussic acid when the hay is fed this winter, Johnsongrass can also accumulate nitrates if it grew under drought conditions this past season.