Warm-season grasses can be beneficial for producers

Warm-season grasses were growing naturally across Virginia at the time the first settlers arrived and you can still find these native grasses today along roadsides and in isolated, unmanaged open spaces.

In the old days, meadows and open spaces between the old-growth forests supported these important native grass plants, including blue stem, switchgrass and Indian grass. They were part of the food supply for large grazing animals as well as habitat for a whole host of smaller mammals and birds.

Unfortunately, these native grasses were forced out by continuously grazing livestock. 

Ongoing research in Virginia since the first energy crisis in the 1970’s began investigating the role of warm-season grasses as a source of bio-mass — basically to determine how many tons can be produced per acre. This line of study is gaining new appreciation today as scientists pursue alternative and renewable fuels and new sources of income for farmers.

Warm-season grasses will produce significant tonnage on limited rainfall and with minimal fertilizer inputs. These plants could hold the answer to some of our energy questions.

The value of warm-season grasses to wildlife has always been present and helps us understand the continuing emphasis by private groups, state and federal agencies on this important use.

Some producers have successfully established warm-season grasses to enhance wildlife food and cover. Birds of all kinds benefit from having warm-season grasses available for nesting, food and cover. I am hearing quail calls now because of habitat provided by my neighbor’s Conservation Reserve Program land.

Government cost-share programs are available to make establishment of warm-season grasses more affordable. Water conservation is also an added benefit from these programs. Our government conservation agencies install plantings as buffer strips alongside streams, waterways or near surface water impoundments.

Readers know from other articles that I have a particular interest in grazing livestock. The more days of the year you can graze your animals, the more they are working for you and your bottom line. Warm-season grasses provide an abundant supply of forage during a time of year when we need it. They actually grow better during the hotter, longer days of summer.

Agronomists suggest having 10 percent of your pasture devoted to some type of warm-season grass to help you graze through the summer months. We cannot count on the kind of grass-growing conditions we had this summer, but we can count on warm-season grass to grow during the most difficult summer conditions that we can expect. When you combine these many values, native warm-season grass could have more potential uses and benefits than any other type of grass available.

If growing warm-season grass interests you, plan on attending a free seminar on native warm-season grasses, Saturday at 10 a.m. at Rose Hill Farm, 19202 Batna Road, in Stevensburg.

Please call Andy Rosenberger of Virginia Tech at 231-3527 if you know in advance that you will be attending and bring a friend.

Stafford is an agent at the local Cooperative Extension office. His column returns in two weeks.