Forages in Georgia
Georgia is an incredibly diverse state and there are over 60 different forages that may be grown throughout the different regions. However, they are not all broadly recommended for use in our forage-based livestock production systems because of climatic challenges or economic sustainability.
Forages can be divided into nine distinct functional groups. Planting multiple functional groups together (in mixture or rotation) is important for increasing the diversity of the forage system and reduce the reliance on stored forages and feeds. Each species offers unique qualities and benefits, so it’s important to match the correct forages to each production system. Perennial grasses should make up most of your acres for forage-based livestock operations. These are the grasses that will carry your operation through the good and bad years. Annual forages, legumes, and forbs may be used to fill nutritional deficits and extend the grazing or harvest season.
Quick Reference - Production Characteristics Tables
Metric |
Hybrid Bermudagrass |
Seeded Bermudagrass |
Bahiagrass |
Tall Fescue |
| Forage class | Warm season perennial | Warm season perennial | Warm season perennial | Cool season perennial |
| Use in forages | Grazing or hay | Grazing | Grazing | Grazing or hay |
| Other uses | Erosion control | Erosion control | Agronomic sod-based rotations, erosion control, wetlands | Erosion control |
| Planting material | Sprigs | Seed | Seed | Seed |
| Growth habit | Sod-forming grass with a prostate growth habit | Sod-forming grass with a prostate growth habit | Sod-forming grass with a prostate to clump growth habit | Bunch-type grass with more upright growth habit |
| Can be overseeded with cool season annuals | Yes | Yes | Yes, may be difficult with clumps | No |
| Can be overseeded with warm season annuals | No | No | No | Yes, if summer dormant |
| Anticipated yield (tons dry matter/acre) | 2 to 6 | 1.5 to 3 | 1.5 to 3 | 2 to 4 |
| Anticipated energy (total digestible nutrients, %) | 50 to 60 | 45 to 55 | 45 to 55 | 55 to 65 |
| Anticipated protein (crude protein, %) | 10 to 12 | 10 to 12 | 10 to 12 | 10 to 14 |
1 Anticipated yield, energy, and protein are based on estimates from literature. Actual results on your farm will vary with management, inputs, and weather.
Table 2. Production Characteristics of the Most Common Annual Forage Species Grown in Georgia.1
Species |
Anticipated Yield (tons DM/acre) |
Use in Forage Systems |
Special Considerations |
|||
Grazing |
Hay |
Baleage |
Silage |
|||
| WARM SEASON ANNUALS | ||||||
| Pearl millet | 4 to 6.5 | Yes | Maybe | Yes | Yes | Most productive in drought conditions; potential for nitrate accumulation |
| Sorghum, Sudangrass, Sorghum x Sudangrass | 5 to 8 | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Potential for nitrate accumulation and prussic acid toxicity |
| Corn | 10 to 15 | Maybe | No | No | Yes | Best suited for operations mixing total mixed rations |
| Crabgrass | 2 to 3 | Yes | No | Maybe | No | Prolific reseeder |
| COOL SEASON ANNUALS | ||||||
| Rye | 2 to 5 | Yes | Maybe | Yes | Yes | Earliest maturing winter small grain; good cold tolerance |
| Triticale | 2 to 4 | Yes | Maybe | Yes | Yes | Intermediate maturing winter small grain; quality declines rapidly with maturity |
| Oats | 2 to 4 | Yes | Maybe | Yes | Yes | Late maturing winter small grain; poor cold tolerance |
| Wheat | 2 to 3 | Yes | Maybe | Yes | Yes | Late maturing but lowest yielding winter small grain |
| Annual ryegrass | 4 to 6 | Yes | Maybe | Yes | Yes | Most options available; may interfere with green-up of warm season perennials if overseeded |
| Annual clovers | 1.5 to 2.5 | Yes | Maybe | Maybe | Maybe | Capable of fixing nitrogen; most have potential for bloat; best used in mixtures with grasses |
| Forbs | Variable | Yes | No | No | No | Cattle must be trained to graze; highly variable production |
1 Anticipated yields are based on estimates from literature. Actual results on your farm will vary with management, inputs, and weather.