You are here

What is the best hay grass that I can grow?

Hay in the field

First, don't confuse best with most. Also, you must have well-drained land to grow better hay grasses.

Bahiagrass grows all over south Mississippi, but it might not make the highest quality hay. Dallisgrass grows better than bahiagrass and bermudagrass on moist bottom soils, but ergot in the seed heads may be a problem in hay. Hybrid and improved vegetative bermudagrasses will produce a large quantity of high quality hay, but it usually requires more management than do other summer grasses.

Horse owners usually prefer a weed free, high quality bermudagrass hay, whereas cattlemen may settle for less at a lower price.

 
Print Friendly, PDF & Email

News

Pasture with dying grass.
Filed Under: Forages, Management - Forages February 6, 2024

STARKVILLE, Miss.

Yellow buttercup weeds.
Filed Under: Weed Control for Forages, Weed Control January 26, 2024

Whether you have a large lawn, field, or pasture, you’ve probably had to deal with pesky weeds. 

A bale of round hay in a mostly empty field.
Filed Under: Forages, Management - Forages, Livestock October 20, 2023

Mississippi hay growers harvested at least 28 percent less hay this year than usual because of the drought that reached extreme levels in parts of the state. Brett Rushing, Mississippi State University Extension forage agronomist, said hay producers in the state typically get three cuttings a year, and often four if they manage well and the weather cooperates.

Contact Your County Office

Your Extension Experts

Portrait of Dr. Rocky Lemus
Extension/Research Professor
Portrait of Dr. Brett Rushing
Assoc Ext/Res Prof & Fac Coord