The good spring and early summer moisture we have received in the Nebraska panhandle along with continued strong forage prices is encouraging producers to consider what annual forages could be planted into irrigated wheat stubble. The summer annual forages such as sudan grass, sorghum x sudan hybrids, pearl millet, teff, and foxtail millet are all options for producing additional forage.
The summer annual forage that is best to plant will depend upon water available, individual goals, available harvesting equipment, and needs. Foxtail millet would be an excellent choice for one cutting of hay or for windrow grazing. A sorghum x sudan hybrid would be the first choice to plant for a crop to chop as silage. Pearl millet and low prussic acid varieties of sudan grass would be good choices for grazing. Even drilling corn at high seeding rates would provide feed for grazing in September and October.
Length of the growing season
The critical thing for summer annual forages is the remaining length of the growing season. The long range forecasts available through the Climate Prediction Center can give an idea of what the next 90 days may bring in terms of weather.
July 20-25 is the target date by which to get the summer annual forages planted. After this time, oats which can accumulate approximately two tons of forage per acre when planted in early August, would likely produce more total forage in the Nebraska panhandle. Oats are somewhat cold tolerant, withstanding light frosts and temperatures down into the upper 20s before growth ceases.