Beef cattle production in the southeastern United States is forage‐based, relying primarily on tall fescue (Schedonorus arundinaceus [Schreb.] Dumort; TF). While TF has many desirable characteristics for forage, physiological traits can create forage management challenges for producers during the summer. Managing forage production is necessary for producers to maximize profits and reduce feed costs. A possible way to extend grazing in this region is to use warm‐season grasses (WSGs) during summer to complement tall fescue. Therefore, the objective of this study is to compare the profitability and risk associated with grazing beef stocker cattle on five WSGs: a combination of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardi Vitman) and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans L.; BI), switchgrass (Panicum virgatum L.; SG), eastern gamagrass, (Tripsacum dactyloides; EG), bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon L.; BG), and crabgrass (Digitaria sanguinalis; CG). Data comes from a 3‐yr (2014–2016) grazing experiment at two locations in Tennessee. The results show that CG had the lowest expected net returns to grazing due to its high production cost, and a profit‐maximizing and risk averse producer would select grazing SG relative to the other forages. The study extends the literature by comparing the profitability and risk of native WSGs (BI, SG, EG), traditional WSG (BG), and annual WSG (CG). Furthermore, these results will be important in educating southeastern US beef cattle producers on using WSGs.

Across much of the eastern United States, tall fescue [TF; Schedonorus arundinaceus (Schreb.) Dumort.], a cool-season (i.e., C 3 ) perennial grass, is the primary forage for pasture systems, thereby leaving producers vulnerable to reduced summer forage production and drought. Warm-season (i.e., C 4 ) forages can complement existing production systems by supplementing summer forage production and drought resiliency. Therefore, our objective was to compare five, C 4 forage options in a grazing trial: switchgrass (SW; Panicum virgatum L.), eastern gamagrass (EG; Tripsacum dactyloides L.), a big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii Vitman) and indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans L. Nash) blend (BBI), bermudagrass (BG; Cynodon dactylon L. Pers), and crabgrass (CG; Digitaria sanguinalis L. Scop.). Research was conducted 2014-2016 at two locations in Tennessee. Weaned beef heifers (237-242 kg initial weight) grazed 1.2-ha pastures with three replications per species and location. Average daily gains (kg d −1 ) (0.62 [BBI], 0.41 [BG], 0.44 [CG], 0.42 [EG], 0.51 [SW]), grazing days (d ha −1 ) (412 [BBI], 459 [BG], 455 [CG], 664 [EG], 617 [SW]), and total gain (kg ha −1 ) (259 [BBI], 186 [BG], 200 [CG], 276 [EG], 315 [SW]) all varied among forages (P < .001). Similarly, forage nutritive values differed (P < .001)among forages: season-long crude protein ranged from 94 (BG) to 115 (CG and EG) g kg −1 , neutral detergent fiber (NDF), 601 (CG)-680 (SW) g kg −1 , and acid detergent fiber (ADF) 379 (BG)-417 (EG) g kg −1 . These forage options should be evaluated in the context of TF pastures to establish a broader understanding of their contribution within an overall forage system.

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