- Red River crabgrass is typically used for grazing.Walter B. McKenzie/Photodisc/Getty Images
Crabgrass, believed to originate in Africa, is a common grass in the United States. Typically, crabgrass is not preferred for lawns. However, it has many other uses. Red River crabgrass, developed from hair crabgrass in 1988, is a fast-growing, delectable grass and is a popular choice for cattle grazing. - Properly planted Red River crabgrass can grow up to 3 feet in height. Historically, it has shown the most success in the American Southeast. However, it has had success growing as far away as Kansas. Planting should occur in early spring to optimize growth, but exceptions can be made for certain situations. For example, if it is intended to be planted over Bermuda grass, and it can be planted as late as midsummer. Its seeds should be planted at very shallow depths. Zero to 1/2 inch is considered the most optimal planting depth. Seed should be planted at a density of 2 to 3 lbs. per acre. However planters with intentions for thicker grass can plant up to 5 lbs. per acre. Typically, seeds should be planted in areas with minimum till. However, untilled areas have shown to be completely capable growing crabgrass as well.
- When correctly utilized, planters can yield up to 25 lbs. of grass for every lb. of nitrogen fertilizer used. Typically, 50 to 100 lbs. of fertilizer should be used for every acre of grass. Other estimates suggest using 1 lb. of fertilizer for every growing day. Crabgrass can also convert animal wastes into nutrition. However, only 4 lbs. of solid fertilizer can be extracted through this process.
- Red River crabgrass is most commonly used for pasture grazing. In fact, up to 73 percent of Red River crabgrass is digestible. At its maximum, red crabgrass can have crude protein levels between 25 and 30 percent. Protein levels rarely dip below 10 percent. When fed with red crabgrass, cattle typically gain 1.8 lbs per day. However, in some cases growth rates as high as 2.5 lbs. per day have been reported. Red River crabgrass is also popular because it can produce up to 125 pounds of fresh grass per acre every day. Properly grown crabgrass can provide up to 260 days of grazing per acre during rotational grazing.
- The most prevalent to danger to Red River crabgrass is excessive grazing. It can tolerate moderate, rotational grazing. In rotational grazing, previously grazed pastures must be vacated and left untouched. During this time, the pasture will autonomously grow destroyed grass. Also during this time, more seed should be planted. During grazing, grass should not be consumed below 3 inches in height.
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