Every Mid-South cattleman knows that grazing is the
cheapest way to feed cattle. However, to maximize performance most
producers will supplement their forage supply during the summer heat and winter
cold.
For both the stocker operator and cow-calf producer this is the
single biggest cost of production, and any effort to extend the grazing season
will have a positive and immediate impact on your bottom
line.
The
heifers pictured above gained 2.65 lbs/day during a very dry and hot July here in middle TN
Baldridge
Amaizing Graze
(Zea mays L.) is the highest producing, highest nutrition warm
season grass you can grow for the mid summer pasture slump, period.
If cattle have a choice in a field of grain
hybrids and Amaizing Graze they will always
graze the Amaizing Graze first and
not try the grain hybrids until the Amaizing Graze is completely
grazed. Amaizing
Graze has
superior palatability!
This became a problem in an Idaho
grazing study when black swans ate the Baldridge hybrids as they emerged and not
the other forages in the trial!
The dry matter production per acre will range from 14,000 to 22,000 lbs, depending on
soil fertility, soil type and management. The estimated waste is about 30% of
the total dry matter produced per acre. This is mainly the lower part of the
stalk, which is the lowest digestible part of the plant. The waste from a bunker
silo is estimated at about 20%.
Bred heifers strip grazing Amaizing Graze Southern during September.
Virtually no residue remains from the
previously grazed strip.
Just a few
of the benefits of Amaizing Graze
- When compared to other warm season grasses, Amaizing Graze contains 10% -20% more protein, 25% more total digestible nutrients (TDN) and 30% more net energy per pound of dry matter.
- When compared to so-called forage corn hybrids from other suppliers, Amaizing Graze has 200% more sugar in the stalks, 15% higher fiber digestibility, 35% more protein and 50% higher leaf volume.
- Amaizing Graze provides the highest quality forage for the rotational grazer in the Mid-South area from mid June until mid October, a period of 120 days.
- Increase carrying capacity 20 to 30% during the hot, summer months while allowing your cool-season pastures to rest.
- Low lignin content along with no danger of prussic acid poisoning make Amaizing Graze the ideal choice for grazing in the summer heat or after first frost.
- Makes an ideal choice for Grass-Finished beef.
- The cost is about one cent per pound of dry matter consumed (2.5% of body weight) per day.
- Recommended planting rate is 20,000 to 35,000 seeds per acre.
- Planting can be done with a corn planter or with drills.
The above photo was taken this past July of BH 540HP. We grazed 540HP here this summer with excellent results. This variety is often overlooked as a grazing option. Would be an ideal choice for winter grazing due to high protein qualities.
Notice how green the cool season pasture is beneath the Amaizing Graze 112. What did your pastures look like this past August?
Amaizing Graze hybrids to fit your grazing needs:
(100+, 112+, and Southern are recommended
for grazing here in the Mid-South)
Amaizing Graze75+
75 –80 day maturity.
Great for use
in northern states and Canada. Enhanced for even greater palatability and
digestibility. Makes excellent corn
silage.
Amaizing Graze 100 +
100 day maturity.
A great
grazing variety, ready to graze in about 50 days from planting. Enhanced
for greater palatability and digestibility. Produces high quality
bi-colored grain that makes a superb feed for all classes of
livestock.
Amaizing Graze 105gt
114 day
maturity.
High quality forage with the potential for extra forage growth
per plant! Each plant may have from 1 to 3 tillers (stalks without ears)
in addition to the main stalk for maximum leaf area. High protein
values. Allows lower populations to still produce
tonnage.
Amaizing Graze 112 +
112 day
maturity.
Excellent for grazing and corn silage, ready to graze in about
60 days from planting. Excellent tonnage, and enhanced for greater
digestibility and nutrition. Also makes excellent silage.
Amaizing Graze Southern
125 day maturity.
A full
season grazing variety, recommended for southern climates. Good
disease resistance for southern pressures – very low prussic acid levels.
Tall plant height, high tonnage. Great for producing highly nutritional
feed during the mid summer and fall grazing periods with no danger of high
prussic acid levels.
BH 540hp
115 day maturity.
We used this variety for grazing here this past summer with EXCELLENT results. The high protein characteristics will add performance whether grazed green or in winter. Tall plant height with high tonnage, very high quality forage. Can substitute for AG Southern or AG 112.
Planting rates for Baldridge Amaizing Graze
Soil organic
matter
Plant
population
0-1.0%
20,000
1.0-2.0% 24,000
2.0-3.0%
26,000
3.0-4.0%
30,000
over
4.0%
36,000