Part 1, Section 8: Forages
Forages
PASTURES
Annual warm-season grasses
Sudangrass or sorghum and sudangrass hybrids are ready for grazing about 6 weeks after seeding. These must be grazed rotationally (2 weeks or less at a time) to avoid prussic acid (HCN) poisoning. Prevent animals from grazing large amounts of new growth high in HCN. Do not start grazing on drought-stressed regrowth of these grasses until the stress is relieved. Frosted forage should not be grazed for a week after frosting. These practices also help reduce danger of HCN poisoning.
Small grains
Small grains such as oats, rye, wheat, or triticale can provide late fall and early spring grazing.
Other forage resources, such as corn stalks grazed after harvest, and the use of aftermath hay, can be planned into a full-season grazing program.