Managing Harvest of ‘Tifton 85’ Bermudagrass for Production and Nutritive Value

Harvest management is critical in hay or greenchop systems to sustain high yields of superior nutritive value. ‘Tifton 85’ bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon(L.) Pers. × C. transvaalensisBurtt Davy] is a high‐quality, high‐yielding, warm‐season perennial grass that dairy producers are using as hay, haylage, and/or pasture. Morphological features of this plant compared to other grasses used in the region suggest the adoption of a more conservative harvest stubble may be needed. During 2007 and 2008, different harvest intervals (21, 24, 27, and 35 days) and stubble heights (3 and 6 inches) were compared using established Tifton 85 bermudagrass fields. Results suggest that highest yields occur with larger interval between harvests (35 days) and when shorter stubble heights (3 inches) are used. Nevertheless, shorter stubble heights (3 inches) were associated with greater weed encroachment and are generally not recommended. Data show that greater nutritive value can be achieved with defoliation at 24‐ to 27‐day intervals to a 6‐inch stubble.