Forages
Mississippi livestock producers are fortunate in being able to grow a large number of forage crops. These include both warm and cool season species of legumes and grasses. Both perennial and annual forages are common.
Warm season perennial grasses include bermudagrass and bahiagrass. Sorghum-sudangrass hybrids and pearl millets are summer annual grasses. Annual ryegrass and the small grains (oats, wheat, rye) are common winter annual grasses. Perennial, cool season tall fescue is grown extensively in the prairie sections and in north Mississippi. Warm season perennial legumes include alfalfa and sericea lespedeza.
Annual lespedeza and alyce clover are warm season annual legumes. White and red clovers are perennial cool season legumes. A large number of cool season annual legumes include crimson, ball, berseem, and arrowleaf clovers. Vetch and wild winter peas are also cool season annual legumes.
By using a combination of these forages for both grazing and hay, many Mississippi livestock producers are able to grow their needed feed with very few outside purchases.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Can I grow all the feed needed for my cattle?
- Should I grow both pasture and hay?
- What is the best hay grass that I can grow?
- Can I grow alfalfa in Mississippi?
- Where can I get more information on forages?
Hay Directories
- Mississippi Hay Directory
- Mississippi Market Bulletin
- Internet Hay Exchange
- Alabama Hay Listing
- Missouri Hay Directory
- Tennessee Hay Directory
Other Forage Information
- 2010 Pasture and Forage Short Course
- MSU Forage Variety Trials
- Fall Army Worms in Hay Fields and Pastures
- Weeds in forages
- Other Extension Livestock Information
- Hay Directory Listings | Hay Directory Submission Form
- MSU Forage/Livestock Support Group
- Equine Interest Groups
Resources
Publications
News
Mississippi forage producers can grow a bountiful crop, but they are fighting wet weather and pests to harvest all of it.
Rocky Lemus, forage and grazing specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and researcher with the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station, said hay harvest is about 5% behind where it was this time last year.
Researchers and Extension specialists from across the Southeast will help goat and sheep producers expand their knowledge on various aspects of the industry during a workshop on small ruminant production.
Coastal area agricultural producers met with Mississippi State University researchers and Extension Service agents to discuss the research and education they need from the university in 2019.
Central Mississippi agricultural producers and industry professionals met with Mississippi State University personnel to discuss research and education priorities at the 2019 Producer Advisory Council meeting on Feb. 20.
As farmers head out to their fields, locating underground utility lines may not be at the top of their safety checklists.
But this knowledge should be a top priority, said Leslie Woolington, a risk management specialist with the Mississippi State University Extension Service and the Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station.
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