By Christine Gelley and Emma G. Matcham et.al
Seasonal variability in forage growth creates ongoing challenges for Ohio livestock producers. This occurs especially during the summer slump when hot, dry conditions slow the growth of cool-season grasses commonly used in Ohio. Adding warm-season annual grasses to a forage system can help fill this gap by boosting summer forage production and strengthening the overall resilience of the system. Species such as browntop millet, foxtail millet, pearl millet, teff, and sorghum-sudangrass are well-suited for summer conditions, offering fast forage growth, strong tolerance to heat and drought, and good nutritional value during summer, compared to cool-season perennials.
This fact sheet highlights key agronomic practices for establishing warm-season annual forages, including proper seedbed preparation, recommended planting periods, and potential cropping systems. It also reviews important risks associated with prussic acid development after frost, nitrate buildup during drought, and offers considerations to reduce these hazards. This publication is intended for livestock producers, forage managers, and agricultural professionals looking for research-based guidance to improve forage productivity, decrease reliance on purchased feed, and increase the resilience of forage systems under unpredictable weather conditions.
Benefits of Warm-Season Annual Grasses
Most pastures in Ohio are dominated by cool-season grasses such as tall fescue, orchardgrass, and timothy. These species grow most vigorously in the spring and again from late summer into early fall. However, their growth slows or ceases during the hot, dry conditions typical of June through August. This summer slump often results in reduced forage quantity and quality, making it difficult to meet the nutritional needs of grazing livestock.
Recent trends toward hotter summers and severe drought in 2024 and 2025 have been intensifying this seasonal decline in forage production, and are expected to worsen the summer slump, making it even harder to maintain sufficient year-round forage production for livestock. Incorporating annual warm-season grasses into existing forage systems is one practical way to address this challenge. These species grow best at temperatures between 80 degrees Fahrenheit and 90 F, which helps fill summer feed gaps, support more consistent forage availability, and improve the overall resilience of livestock operations.
Source : osu.edu