Sudangrass

A fast-growing annual forage grass (Sorghum sudanense) closely related to grain sorghum, native to Sudan and cultivated as a summer forage crop across warm temperate and subtropical farming regions, prized for rapid growth, drought tolerance and the ability to produce several cuttings of hay or grazing forage within a single growing season. It is grown widely in the United States, particularly in the Great Plains and South, often as a rotational or emergency forage crop when other pasture is in short supply, and hybrids between sudangrass and grain sorghum are also commonly grown for the same purpose. Young or drought-stressed sudangrass can accumulate compounds toxic to grazing livestock, so its use requires careful management around cutting and grazing timing.