Switchgrass becomes fully productive the third year after planting, but one can expect about 75 percent of potential yield in the second year of production. The upland types favor drier soils and fare better in semi-arid climates. (Robert Goodwin) (Robert Goodwin) Gardeners and farmers around the country recognize that crop varieties grow best in certain regions. A short list of items to consider in calculating the cost of producing switchgrass: Switchgrass is not the only or possibly even the best biomass species for cellulosic ethanol production, but it does possess some ecological characteristics that make it a very good candidate. Cultivars that are locally adapted and relatively available. The producer should not expect to harvest the crop during the establishment year, but if established and managed properly, the crop should be ready to harvest the following fall as in the photo below of switchgrass in the second year of production. When determining the pounds of bulk seed needed per acre, the purity and germination percentages must first be changed to respective decimals (e.g., 95 percent purity would be 0.95). Nurse crops must be removed early enough to allow the protected crop to grow unhindered. 152 0 obj <>/Filter/FlateDecode/ID[<8E333293C410D443980F12197DF40568>]/Index[130 42]/Info 129 0 R/Length 109/Prev 398572/Root 131 0 R/Size 172/Type/XRef/W[1 3 1]>>stream Michigan Bulb Company offers quality products for every gardener at great value prices, since 1943. Switchgrass seed is tolerant of atrazine. Approximate seeds per lb: 259,000 Seeding Rate: Expect to apply about 8 lb per acre. Cave-In-Rock originates from Cave-In-Rock, Illinois and is late maturing and suitable for both lowland and upland sites. Deer Creek Seed’s switchgrass seed has not been stratified and therefore roughly 25 percent of the seed will be “hard” and won’t germinate until the following year. These strains, often with some bit of uniformity achieved through artificial selection, are then registered as cultivars. Producers who are experienced at growing grasses for livestock forage will find that producing switchgrass as an ethanol feedstock necessitates a management regime unlike that utilized to produce quality forages. Aerial photo of the switchgrass diversity panel late in the 2020 season at the Kellogg Biological Station in Michigan. Switchgrass produces large seeds on a spangled-type seed head. When you purchase 20 pounds or more of any 5 lb or 25 lb size products. We understand that not every plot is the same. This warm-season grass is an exceptional forage … The amount of nitrogen fertilizer applied should just meet crop needs so there will be no carryover to the following spring. Switchgrass is easily identified by a small nest of hair where the blades attach to the sheath. Switchgrass seeds are extremely tiny and there are approximately 400,000+ seeds per pound.Switchgrass seeding rates can vary but a good starting point would be anywhere from 5-7 pounds per acre spread either with a handseeder or a drill behind a tractor for larger planting projects. open primary navigation close primary … Add To Cart Product Information. When used as part of a mix, ensure that the mix consists of not less than 1.0% and not more than 50.0% of the total. Under good management, a producer can expect a yield up to 10 tons per acre. The PLS calculation is made by multiplying the purity decimal by the germination decimal, excluding dormant seed that may germinate later but would not generally germinate with-in 2 to 4 weeks. Fall plant August (north) to October (deep south). Home; Shop. We can help! (888) 498-7333. Author: Switchgrass in second year of production after being established in grain sorghum nurse crop. Performs well on a wide range of soils. The seed seller (Prairie Seed Farms) did that in advance. However, what you should look for is the thickest and tallest switchgrass for your area and in the majority of the North 1/2 of the country, that variety is Cave In Rock . Cellulosic ethanol production is still in a research and development phase. What makes switchgrass particularly suitable as an ethanol feedstock? Call to Order: We are encouraging our customers to call us at 800-352-5247 to place your orders.We can then ship your seed directly to you, or you can come pick it up at Albert Lea Seed. Maintaining a legume component of at least 30 percent in the stand. Switchgrass - Blackwell (Panicum virgatum), Seed Packet, True Native Seed . This will kill the broadleaf weeds without harming the grass. Harvest—equipment, fuel, baling materials, labor. Switchgrass is used for Ethanol and Biodiesel. Because switchgrass seedlings are not as vigorous as cool-season grass or weed seedlings, addition of nitrogen at planting or near planting time can be advantageous to the cool-season grasses and weeds and detrimental to the warm-season grass stand. Then I recently heard about this "frost seeding" switchgrass. It is a major component of the Tallgrass Prairie ecosystem. Switchgrass is a warm-season perennial bunchgrass native to much of the United States. One can expect a yield increase of 2 to 3 tons per acre with this amount of nitrogen applied. This will help avoid future weed competition. Switchgrass is a native warm-season perennial grass indigenous to Central and North American tall-grass prairies. Performs well on a wide range of soils. As a general rule, … Millborn Seeds. Thus ecotypes in the South typify Southern characteristics, such as long-season growth and subsequent high dry matter yield, given favorable growing conditions. Switchgrass becomes fully productive the third year after planting, but one can expect about 75 percent of potential yield in the second year of production. Two major types have emerged through natural selection. �^ Because switchgrass seed varies greatly in purity and germination, it is often sold on the basis of its "pure live seed" (PLS) percentage. And we offer common sense solutions to most planting situations. Plant during the period April 15 to June 15. Description. This is accomplished by timely application of fertilizers, mechanical or chemical control of weeds before and after planting, correct seeding depth and rate, and appropriate seeding date. Place your grass seed mix orders online at your convenience. Michigan Collection. The plant also provides excellent cover for wildlife populations; the seed provides a quality food source for gamebirds. Seed lots with equal amounts of PLS may differ in their volume of bulk seed. Quantity. Switchgrass is a native, perennial, warm-season, sod-forming tall grass. To prevent seedling damage, 2,4-D should be applied to establishing stands of warm-season grasses only when the seedlings are at or beyond the five-leaf stage. However, as you move closer to full-cover regions, that is not the case. A burndown application of glyphosate works well. This family owned and run business started out in a small general store in Zeeland, MI back in 1915 as a way for the local farmers to purchase seeds at the start of the season, and then have an outlet for their produce at the end of the growing season. Many farmers prefer Switchgrass to other varieties of native grasses because of the hard seed coat that easily feeds through conventiona… Habitat types: A ... Switch Grass is most attractive in its later stages, from the emerging, purple cloud-like seed heads mid-summer to dried golden foliage in fall. In fact, 14 percent of the 2005 U.S. corn crop was used to produce ethanol, and the percentage is expected to grow. The Key is to keep the field as weed free as possible until the switch gets a foothold. The desired number of pounds of pure live seed (PLS) is then divided by the product of the purity X germination calculation. Be sure to leave about a 6-inch stubble after harvest. Seed Information: Approximate seeds per lb: 259,000 Seeding Rate: Expect to apply about 8 lb per acre. Celebrate Michigan's seed heritage with these bioregional heirlooms that have deep Michigan roots. It is renewable because the plants grow back after harvest, and it can be regenerative when sustainable methods are employed to manage, harvest and process the crops. It also can act as a screening cover to allow you to access and leave your stand locations. kp��e}�>�S{�������ڃfRr����pLGځ�ɵ�5��Z�Y/]$�m���a�����M18 ��6����a�Ԯ�Cu��:������L�I}�;H�(�RX4�q6A�o����}�!� QPZF:Hɶ��_�z�������p��M�>q�. 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