These warm season annuals can produce lots of forage in a short time frame in the summer, a time when we are filling-in the summer slump when cool season grasses slow down.  However, we do recommend discing them in about the first of September and get your cover crop (Italian Ryegrass) or permanent pasture mix started.  Our observation has been that Century BMR will take off a little faster than Mega-Green, but then by the third cut, or grazing, Mega Green will be ahead.  We have not seen much difference in palatability (if it’s grazed before 2 feet) but some customers say their cows prefer Century.  So, if you want to keep your stand only two or three months, plant Century or Mega-Millet.  If you want it for four months or more, plant Mega-Green or Summer Supreme.  Cows do prefer BMR over Mega Green. 

Millet
Wonderleaf
This is a warm season annual, similar to Sudangrass, with no prussic acid.  Dry matter production 20 percent less than Sudangrass with better digestibility and protein.  Millet has smaller seeds, thus a lower seeding rate.

It needs a soil temperature of 65 degrees or more to germinate, and growth lows down when cool weather comes (September).  Frost kills it, but it can still be grazed with no fear of prussic acid.

It needs good seed-to-soil contract and it’s not as competitive with existing grass as Sudangrass.  Like Sudan, it can use lots of Nitrogen.

Wonderleaf will grow a little bushier and not as tall as Sudan.  Start grazing at 12 inches, but make sure the roots are not being pulled up.  It should not be allowed to grow taller than 3 feet (or it will lose palatability), nor grazed lower than 6 inches.

BMR Sorghum Sudan

Summer Supreme BMR from Byron Seeds -Order Now-
 Delayed Maturity & Brown Mid-rib Hybrid Sorghum x Sudangrass
Combines 2 great traits of delayed maturity (daylight time sensitive) and brown mid-rib.  No head initiation until daylight is less than 12 hr and 20 min days plus the high digestibility of BMR.  In Central IN, area heads will not be seen until mid-October which is close to our killing frost date.  Type 6 BMR.

• The BMR reduces the Lignin content by 40%-60%

• Invitro digestibility for summer typically 80% compared to conventional varieties at 55%-65%

• Delayed maturity = continued growth without seed heads

• Very high yielder

• BMR is not a GMO product

Summer Prince BMR from Byron Seeds -Order Now-

Summer Prince Brand Hybrid Sorghum-Sudangrass with exceptional palatability and the addition of the Brown Midrib Gene 6 has shown marked reduction of lignin content in the plant.  Lignin is the component of the cell walls that is generally regarded as the primary factor limiting the extend of forage fiber digestion.  This totally new hybrid has shown an 18.9% average increase in feed value compared to conventionals and offers an additional $42.84 dollars per acre based on feed at $60.00 per ton.  It offers a premium summer annual hybrid with the same agronomic characteristics you will find in a conventional sorghum-sudangrass hybrid such as excellent hay quality, heavy pasturing, superior drought tolerance, and a wide adaptability - plus the increased utilization and efficiency you get from the Brown Midrib Gene 6.  Summer Prince is very long season in the South (approx. 100 days to bloom) this extends harvest window and can be used where PPS hybrids are not effective.  In more northern regions approximately 65 days to bloom.  With tropical genetics in this hybrid we have much better regrowth in wet or humid conditions.

Summer King BMR from  Byron Seeds -Order Now-
Brown Mid-rib Hybrid Sorghum x Sudangrass (Maturity 60 days to boot)

An early maturity BMR variety that offers high quality at a lower cost.  Because it heads out sooner, it is best suited to where you just want a quick high quality crop and are ready to move onto another rotational crop.  Type 6 BMR hybrid with a very high digestibility.

Summer Max -Order Now-
A blend of Summer Supreme BMR Sorghum Sudan and Soybeans

Summer Supreme is a daylight sensitive Sorghum Sudan with very late heading all summer vegetative growth.  Plus it has the BMR traits blended with soybeans for early tonnage.  Summer Max works well when planted no-till after harvesting Trical Triticale Forage in spring or double cropped after wheat. Seeding rate 80#-100#/acre. Fertilizer requirements are 60#-100# per acre available N.P.K.   Summer Max’s rapid growth eliminates need for weed control. 

Forage Sorghum

Silage Supreme MS BMR -Order Now-
Brown Mid-rib Hybrid Forage Sorghum

Silage Supreme is the next generation of BMR Forage Sorgums.  IT is male sterile.  If there is no pollen source near it will not produce grain.  With no Grain the plant does not cannibalize the stalk.  This means it will have a higher energy content than the other BMR Hybrids. Silage Supreme BMR has improved standability when compared to earlier BMR Hybrids.