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Cultivation

Silage and Haylage — Sudangrass

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase

Harvesting Sudangrass requires strict adherence to growth stages and cutting height to ensure regrowth and minimize the risks of cyanogenic toxicity.

In the reference 65 varieties crop Sudangrass, where this is mentioned in the description.

The maximum nutritional value of Sudangrass is achieved when harvested at the jointing stage or at the beginning of panicle emergence, with plants at a height of about one meter. For haylage, the optimal stage is considered to be budding or early flowering. During harvesting, it is critical to maintain a cutting height of 12–15 cm to preserve tillering nodes, growing points, and ensure rapid regrowth for subsequent cuts.

Due to high succulence, direct harvesting often results in a moisture content exceeding 70%, which necessitates the use of preservatives. For haylage, wilting in windrows to a moisture content of 45–55% using conditioners is recommended. Sudangrass contains cyanogenic glycosides; therefore, the risk of hydrocyanic acid accumulation persists even after ensiling, especially when harvesting young plants after frosts or during drought periods.

Compared to corn, Sudangrass silage is lower in starch content but allows for multiple cuts per season. Brown mid-rib (BMR) hybrids are characterized by lower lignin content, which improves forage digestibility. To balance nutritional value, Sudangrass is often planted in mixtures with legumes.

General information about the subject — on the page Silage and haylage.

Sources8

Varieties of Sudangrass mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

DOUGLASS W. KING CO.

ES
2 records

Advancegrazer

Terminated

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

ADVANCE SEED PTY LTF

IT
2 records

Latte

Active

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

MMR RESEARCH

IT
2 records

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

DOUGLASS W. KING CO.

IT
2 records

BMR201MH

Active

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

GARRISON & TOWNSEND INC.

IT
2 records

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

CROSBYTON INT. SEEDS

IT
2 records

Sudax SX 11

Terminated

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

DEKALB PLANT GENETICS

ES
2 records

Soleillade

Protection expired

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

Dekalb Genetics Corporation (usa) (US)

FR
2 records

Sudax SX 17

Terminated

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

Dekalb Genetics Corporation

IT
2 records

Cowpow

Terminated

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

PIONEER HI-BRED INTERNATIONAL

ES
2 records

Tob faca bmr

Application submitted

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

Tobin Victor Tadeo

IT
2 records

Revolution

Terminated

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

HYLAN - HSR Groups Ptg Ltd (AU)

FR
2 records

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

HAZERA (1939)

ES
2 records

ACA 730

Withdrawn

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

PGG Wrightson Seeds South America

IT
2 records

KST 1011

Active

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

HU
3 records

Rocket

Terminated

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

Golden World

PT
3 records

Zöldözön

Protection expired

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

HU
4 records

Akklimat

Active

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

HU
3 records

P 988

Terminated

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

2 records

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

CZ
2 records

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

GAYLAND WARD SEED CO. INC.

IT
1 record

GW9491G

Active

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

Advanta US Inc

IT
2 records

Ute BMR

Terminated

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

Peter Bohdan Chykaliuk

UA
2 records

GW400 BMR

Withdrawn

Sorghum x drummondii (Steud.) Millsp. & Chase · Sudangrass

GAYLAND WARD SEED CO. INC.

IT
1 record