Crabgrass
Scientific Name: Digitaria sp.
Short Description: Crabgrass is a high quality summer annual forage that is well adapted to the southern U.S. Although most often regarded as a weed, it is a valuable source of forage in many grazing and haying systems.
Description: 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 in a double cropping system behind small grain winter annual forages such as wheat, rye, and triticale. Crabgrass is a summer annual forage which is propagated by seed, either volunteer or planted. Crabgrass 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 of crabgrass should begin when the plants reach 4 to 6 inches tall. Haying should occur on a schedule to minimize the production of seedheads since forage quality is best before allowing seedhead 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 liveweight are possible. Stockers have gained in excess of 1.5 lbs per day in suitable conditions.