Annual Forages
- Warm Season Annuals
- Cool Season Annual Grasses
- Cool Season Annual Legumes
- Forbs
- Anticipated Production Characteristics of Annual Forage Options
Warm Season Annuals
Warm-season annual grasses complete their life cycle in one summer season. These forages grow when temperatures exceed 55°F. Many of these forages are used as summer smother crops during pasture renovations or in emergency situations because of their rapid growth in a short time. There may be other species available on the market, however many of these are only suited for use as a cover crop or have not been thoroughly evaluated for grazing and harvesting.
Pearl Millet
Pearl millet (Pennisetum americanum (L.) Nash) is one of the most widely planted summer annual grasses in Georgia since it is suitable for grazing or harvesting as hay, baleage, or silage. Pearl millet does not produce prussic acid but can accumulate nitrates. Varieties range from silage types that are tall growing and high yielding to dwarf varieties that are excellent for grazing. Newer BMR (brown mid-rib) varieties are available that are more digestible but more prone to lodging.
Sorghums, Sudangrass, and Sorghum x Sudangrass
Sorghums (Sorghum sp.) are typically used for grazing or harvested as baleage or silage. We rarely use these for hay because the thick stalks can be difficult to cure, even with the use of a mower-conditioner. All sorghums may accumulate nitrates and produce prussic acid. Forage sorghums (Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench) are capable of producing high yields, but quality is highly dependent on stage of maturity at harvest. Digestibility is generally greater in BMR varieties, but this can lead to lodging. Grain sorghums are dwarfed varieties of the same species as forage sorghums. Although they can produce substantial forage yields, the quality is generally much lower than their forage counterparts are.
Sudangrass has finer stems, more tillers, and more leaves than forage sorghums. Sorghum x sudangrass hybrids (Sorghum × drummondii) are the highest yielding of the sorghums and can be used for grazing, silage, or baleage. BMR sorghum x sudangrass varieties are also available.
Corn
Corn (Zea mays) produces greater yields and has higher energy content than other warm season annuals, making it an excellent choice for silage systems. Although dryland production is possible in Georgia, irrigation will be required to ensure ear development in drought years. Corn silage is not recommended for baleage because of the optimum moisture needed and likelihood of stalks puncturing the baleage plastic. There are many varieties available for silage production that produce more leaf material than grain types.
Crabgrass
Crabgrass (Digitaria sp.) can be a good fit in grazing systems because of its palatability and prostrate growth habit. Crabgrass is not recommended for use as a smother crop during perennial forage renovations because produces less leaf material than the other summer annual grass options. Red River, Impact, and Mojo (blend of the first two) are recommended varieties for Georgia.
Warm Season Annual Legumes
Warm-season annual legumes are not broadly recommended in Georgia. These forages can be expensive and difficult to establish, provide relatively low yields, and/or are not very tolerant of grazing. Some species may fit into minor production niches but producers should decide if the challenges outweigh the benefits on their own operation.
Cool Season Annual Grasses
Cool season annual grasses can offer temporary winter grazing during the late fall until spring depending on chosen species. These species are listed below in the order in which they tend to provide grazing and mature.
Cool season annual forages are typically overseeded into dormant warm season grass pastures to maximize productivity per acre. Much like summer annuals, forage yields are highly dependent on planting date and moisture. The recommended variety list is updated annually based on the UGA Statewide Variety Testing results.
Rye
Rye (Secale cereale L.) is the most drought tolerant and winter hardy small grain grown in Georgia. Rye generally matures by middle to late February, earlier than other small grains. Unfortunately, forage quality declines rapidly in the spring but timely grazing and harvest management can negate these concerns.
Recommended varieties for the 2025-2026 growing season include:
- Florida 405 (earlier maturing)
- Wrens Abruzzi (later maturing)
Kelly Grazer III, Bates RS4, Elbon, and FL 401 have performed well in the past, but not been recently evaluated. No varieties have been recently tested in Limestone Valley.
Other varieties may provide satisfactory yields but were not submitted to the Statewide Variety Trial program.
Triticale
Triticale ([Secale or Triticum] × Triticosecale Wittm. ex A. Camus) is a hybrid of wheat and rye. It grows tall like rye and matures later in the season like wheat. Triticale was originally bred for grain production, so forage quality will decline rapidly after seedhead development. Newer varieties can produce high quality baleage or silage if harvested on time.
Recommended varieties for the 2025-2026 growing season include:
- FL 1143
- Good early season production statewide
- NCPT01-1433
- Good late season production statewide
- Good season long production in Piedmont
- May be susceptible to Hessian fly. Avoid early plantings in the Coastal Plains.
- TriCal 342
- Good early season production statewide
- Good season long production in Piedmont and Upper Coastal Plains
- TriCal HTF
- Good late season production statewide
- Good season long production statewide
- TriCal HTS
- Good early season production in Lower Coastal Plains
- Good late season production statewide
- Good season long production statewide
- TriCal Surge
- Good season long production statewide
TriCal Merlin Max has performed well in the past but not been recently evaluated.
Other varieties may provide satisfactory yields but were not submitted to the Statewide Variety Trial program.
Oats
Oats (Avena sativa L.) are later maturing and can provide more spring growth than rye when grown in South and Central Georgia. Oats are not as winter-hardy as rye and can winter-kill in some years. Although it is difficult to quantify, the leaves of oats are “softer” than those of rye or other small grains.
Recommended varieties for the 2025-2026 growing season include:
- Horizon 214
- Good late season production statewide
- Horizon 306
- Good season long production statewide
- Horizon 578
- Good late season production statewide
- Horizon 720
- Good early season production statewide
- TriCal Cadillac
- Good season long production statewide
Legend 567 and LA99016 have performed well in the past but not been recently evaluated. No varieties have been recently tested in Limestone Valley.
Other varieties may provide satisfactory yields but were not submitted to the Statewide Variety Trial program.
All these varieties are susceptible to crown rust. Avoid planting earlier than recommended for your region.
Wheat
Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) can be grown across the state, but it is not tolerant of acidic soils. This winter-hardy small grain can provide forage from winter to spring and makes a good grazing, silage, or baleage crop. Overall, wheat is the lowest yielding species in this list and should not be used except for cover or when low production is acceptable.
Recommended varieties for the 2025-2026 growing season include:
- 30-06
- Good late season production statewide
- AGS 2024
- Good early season production statewide
- Good season long production in the Coastal Plains
- AGS 4023
- Good early season production statewide
- AGS 4043
- Good late season production statewide
- Good season long production statewide
- Johnson
- Good late season production in Piedmont
- Good season long production in Piedmont
Dyna-Gro Plantation, Pioneer 26R10 and Pioneer 26R41 have performed well in the past but has not been recently evaluated. No varieties have been recently tested in Limestone Valley.
Other varieties may provide satisfactory yields but were not submitted to the Statewide Variety Trial program.
Annual ryegrass
Annual ryegrass (Lolium multiflorum Lam.) is one of the most productive forages we can grow. There are several varieties recommended for each region in Georgia that are early maturing, late maturing, or capable of providing growth throughout winter and spring. Overall, ryegrass is still later maturing than small grains so many producers will plant ryegrass in mixtures with a small grain to provide season long grazing. Ryegrass is an excellent choice for grazing, baleage, or silage. The biggest limitation of ryegrass is the rapid increase in herbicide resistance, specifically in the southern portions of the state.
- Centurion
- Good early season production in Piedmont and Coastal Plains
- Good late season production statewide
- Good season long production statewide
- Jackson
- Good late season production statewide
- Lonestar
- Good early season production statewide
- Good late season production in Piedmont and Coastal Plains
- Good season long production statewide
- More
- Good early season production in Mountains and Lower Coastal plains
- Nelson
- Good early season production in Piedmont and Coastal Plains
- Good late season production in Coastal Plains
- Good season long production in Coastal Plains
- Ranahan
- Good early season production in Mountains and Upper Coastal Plains
- Good late season production statewide in Mountains and Upper Coastal Plains
- Good season long production statewide in Mountains and Upper Coastal Plains
- Tetrastar
- Good early season production in Mountains, Piedmont, and Upper Coastal Plains
- Good late season production statewide
- Good season long production statewide
- Wax Marshall
- Good early season production in Piedmont
- Good late season production in Coastal Plains
- Good season long production in Piedmont and Coastal Plains
Other varieties may provide satisfactory yields but were not submitted to the Statewide Variety Trial program.
Cool Season Annual Legumes
Cool-season annual legumes are often overseeded into dormant warm season perennial grass fields in mixtures with cool season annual grasses. These high-quality forages can improve forage quality and reduce or eliminate the need for nitrogen fertilizer in your forage system. These forages will complete their life cycle in one growing season (fall to spring). Much like other annuals, forage yields are highly dependent on planting date and moisture.
Crimson Clover
Crimson clover (Trifolium incarnatum L.) is the most popular annual clover species grown in the Southeast. It can provide grazing from fall until spring, depending on the planting date, throughout the Piedmont and Coastal Plains. Crimson clover will usually mature earlier than other annual clovers but will produce higher yields despite the short growing season. Generally, crimson clover does not reseed well especially in grazing systems. Dixie and AU-Robin are both recommended for planting in Georgia.
Ball Clover
Ball clover (Trifolium nigrescens) is an excellent option for poorly drained soils throughout the Piedmont and Coastal Plains. Even though it is low yielding it is an excellent reseeder even in grazing systems. Recommended varieties include Grazer, Select, and Don.
Arrowleaf Clover
Arrowleaf clover (Trifolium vesiculosum Savi) is adapted throughout the lower Piedmont and Coastal Plains. Arrowleaf is a good option for grazing as it has a lower bloat potential and can provide good quality grazing until May. Although arrowleaf clover is a prolific seed producer, most of the seed will be hard seed. The ability to reseed will also depend on the variety’s resistance to Fusarium spp. virus. Apache and Blackhawk are the only recommended varieties in Georgia, as they have shown improved resistance to the virus complex.
Minor Species
Berseem clover (Trifolium alexandrinum) is another legume with low bloat potential that is well adapted to the southern half of the state. Seed can be difficult to find but Bigbee and Frosty are recommended varieties in Georgia.
Rose clover (Trifolium hirtum) is not widely grown in Georgia. Most of the forage is produced in the spring when forage is typically not limiting for most producers.
Subterreanean clover (or sub clover) (Trifolium subterraneum L.) is a low-growing forage that will create a very dense forage canopy. The flowers will form burs with stiff-forked bristles that will bury itself into soil.
Vetch (Vicia sp.) species include hairy (most common), bigflower, and common. Vetches are usually planted with cool-season annual grasses so the viney stems can grow up the grass like a trellis. The growth habit of vetch can make harvesting difficult. Vetches are generally more cold hardy than clovers and have low bloat potential. However, toxins will develop as the stand matures and can be fatal to grazing livestock if vetch exceeds 10% of the stand.
Winter pea (Pisum sativum subsp. arvense) grows similarly to vetch but is not recommended for pastures because grazing livestock can damage the stems. Winter peas may be planted with small grains for silage or baleage production. They are not cold hardy and should not be planted north of the Piedmont.
Forbs
Forbs are non-leguminous herbaceous broadleaf plants that can fit well into forage systems in Georgia. These forages are very high quality, and their fast, aggressive growth can provide fall and early winter grazing or are suitable for stockpiling. There are many different genera and species of forbs available through seed companies in Georgia and the Southeast.
- Kale (Brassica oleracea) provides excellent winter hardiness and can be used for grazing or baleage. There are two types of kale, one grows tall with narrow stems while the second is much shorter and denser.
- Rape (Brassica napus) can be grazed as early as 60 days after planting and can either be leafy and upright or short and branched.
- Hybrids between rape and kale (e.g. T-Raptor) generally work well in challenging forage situations (i.e. sandy soils in the Coastal Plains).
- Turnips (Brassica rapa) produces leafy top growth and large root bulbs.
- Hybrids between turnips and oriental vegetables also exist and can provide tremendous production. For example, ‘Pasja’, a cross between forage turnip and forage rapeseed, can be graze in as little as 45 days after planting.
- Tillage radishes (Raphanus sativus) can produce large tubers that are said to break up hard pans and compacted soils in more northern soils. These benefits are rare in Georgia because of the high spring and early summer temperatures.
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.