Red River Crabgrass
Red River Crabgrass | Grasses

RED RIVER CRABGRASS

#1159 | DIGITARIA CILIARIS

Summary

Crabgrass is generally thought of as a weed, but many cattlemen in the southern regions of the United States consider it a high producing, high-quality forage. It is ideal in a double cropping system behind small grain winters annual forages such as wheat, rye, and triticale. Crabgrass is a summer annual forage which is propagated by seed, either volunteer or planted. It is adapted to many soil types but grows best on sandy and clay loam soils with good drainage. Crabgrass can be utilized by either grazing or haying. Grazing should begin when the plants reach 4 to 6 inches tall. Haying should occur on a schedule to minimize the production of seed heads since forage quality is best before allowing seed head production. Soil fertility is critical in maximizing both forage quality and quantity. Phosphorous and potassium levels should be applied according to soil test and applications of as much as 150 lbs. of actual nitrogen in split applications can be applied throughout the summer to maintain production. Rainfall and fertility determine stocking rates. With sufficient moisture and nitrogen, stocking rates of 800 to 1200 lbs of live weight are possible. Stockers have gained in excess of 1.5 lbs per day in suitable conditions.

 

Plant Characteristics
Taxonomy

Zone

Regional Growing Zone
3 - Southern Mountain, 5 - Midwest, 7 - Great Lakes South, 8 - Appalacia, 9 - Southeast, 10 - South Florida, 11 - South Texas
USDA Plant Hardiness Zones
6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Temperature Zone
Warm, Transitional

Plant Characteristics

Height
6" - 24"
Bloom Period
Mid-Summer - Late-Summer
Bloom Color
Yellow
Leaf Color
Green
Growing Cycle
Annual
Sun Requirement
Full Sun

Plant Information

Planting Season
Spring - Early-Summer
Plant Depth
0.25"
Minimum Soil Temp for Germination
55° F
Establishment
Easy

Seed Information

Seeds Per Pound
800,000
Kingdom
PLANTAE
Subkingdom
TRACHEOBIONTA
Super Division
SPERMATOPHYTA
Division
MAGNOLIOPHYTA
Class
LILIOPSIDA
Subclass
COMMELINIDAE
Order
CYPERALES
Family
POACEAE
Genus
DIGITARIA
Species
DIGITARIA CILIARIS

Coverage Area & Available Sizes

COVERAGE: 3-5 PLS PER ACRE

AVAILABLE SIZES:

Applications

Forage & Grazing

Crabgrass is an excellent high quality, high producing annual forage for many classes of livestock. It can be used in both haying and grazing systems.  Most often used as a double crop forage behind small grains in the southern U.S.

Pasture & Range

Crabgrass is an excellent high quality, high producing annual forage for many classes of livestock. It can be used in both haying and grazing systems.  Most often used as a double crop forage behind small grains in the southern U.S.

Soil Stabilization & Erosion Control

Growth Guide & Gallery

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