Tolerance to frequent defoliations is critical for native warm-season grasses managed for forage and wildlife habitat. Yield response of big bluestem (Andropogon gerardii), indiangrass (Sorghastrum nutans), and little bluestem (Schizachyrium scoparium) to treatments (30-, 40-, 60-, 90-or 120-d harvest intervals) and durations were assessed on early-succession mixed stands. Over three years, phased harvestings were initiated in May, on sets of randomized plots, in five replications to produce one-, two-, and three-year old stands, by the third year. Each plot had marked indiangrass and big bluestem plants which were hand-clipped on harvest-days before whole-plot harvesting. Species yields were greater in first-than second-year plots but not affected by treatments. June-September yields in 2008 were greatest for the 30-d, and more in the first-(8472 kg ha ) plots. In 2009, yields were also greater in first-than second-year plots but without treatment effects. Recovery yields showed no treatment effect, but were about 67% less for second-compared to first-year plots and much less than plots never harvested before. Data suggest that harvesting similar mixed native warm-season grass stands at 30-to 40-d intervals may provide good hay yields without compromising post-season stand recovery for multiple uses.

Agricultural intensification in America has replaced native warm-season grasses (NWSG) with introduced forages causing wildlife habitat loss and population declines for the northern bobwhite (Colinus virginianus) and similar ground-nesting birds. Reintroducing NWSGs onto managed grasslands to reverse grassland bird population declines lacks information about appropriate multipurpose management. Post-season nesting habitat quality of mixed NWSGs (indiangrass (IG, Sorghastrum nutans), big bluestem (BB, Andropogon gerardii) and little bluestem (LB, Schizachyrium scoparium)) responding to previous-year(s) harvest intervals (treatments, 30-, 40-, 60-, 90 or 120-d) and duration (years in production), were assessed on late-spring-early-summer re-growths. Yearly phased harvestings were initiated in May on sets of randomized plots, ≥90-cm apart, in five replications (blocks) to produce one-, two-, and three-year old stands by the third year. Sward heights and canopy closure were recorded a day before harvest, followed a week after by visual estimates of ground cover of plant species and litter. Harvesting increased post-season grass cover and reduced forbs following a high rainfall year. Harvested plot swards showed no treatment differences, but were shorter and intercepted

Interest in management of native warm-season grasses for multiple uses is growing in southeastern USA. Forage quality response of early-succession mixed stands of big bluestem (BB, Andropogon gerardii), indiangrass (IG, Sorghastrum nutans), and little bluestem (SG, Schizachyrium scoparium) to harvest intervals (30-, 40-, 60-, 90 or 120-d) and durations (one or two years) were assessed in crop-field buffers. Over three years, phased harvestings were initiated in May, on sets of randomized plots, ≥90 cm apart, in five replications (blocks) to produce one-, two-, and three-year-old stands, by the third year. Whole-plot regrowths were machine-harvested after collecting species (IG and LB) sample tillers for leafiness estimates. Species-specific leaf area (SLA) and leaf-to-stem ratio (LSR) were greater for early-season harvests and shorter intervals. In a similar pattern, whole-plot crude protein concentrations were greatest for the 30-d (74 g·kg−1 DM) and the least (40 g·kg−1 DM) for the 120-d interval. Corresponding neutral detergent fiber (NDF) values were the lowest (620 g·kg−1 DM) and highest (710 g·kg−1 DM), respectively. In vitro dry matter and NDF digestibility were greater for early-season harvests at shorter intervals (63 and 720 g·kg−1 DM). With strategic harvesting, similar stands may produce quality hay for beef cattle weight gain.

Managing grasslands for forage and ground-nesting bird habitat requires appropriate defoliation strategies. Subsequent early-summer species composition in mixed stands of native warm-season grasses (Indiangrass (IG, Sorghastrum nutans), big bluestem (BB, Andropogon gerardii) and little bluestem (LB, Schizachyrium scoparium)) responding to harvest intervals (treatments, 30, 40, 60, 90 or 120 d) and durations (years in production) was assessed. Over three years, phased May harvestings were initiated on sets of randomized plots, ≥90 cm apart, in five replications (blocks) to produce one-, two-and three-year-old stands. Two weeks after harvest, the frequencies of occurrence of plant species, litter and bare ground, diagonally across each plot (line intercept), were compared. Harvest intervals did not influence proportions of dominant plant species, occurrence of major plant types or litter, but increased that of bare ground patches. Harvest duration increased the occurrence of herbaceous forbs and bare ground patches, decreased that of tall-growing forbs and litter, but without affecting that of perennial grasses, following a year with more September rainfall. Data suggest that one-or two-year full-season forage harvesting may not compromise subsequent breeding habitat for bobwhites and other

To develop strategies for successful establishment of forage native warm-season grasses (NWSGs) in southeastern USA, early agronomic performance of transplanted and seeded stands of big bluestem (BB, Andropogon gerardii Vitman), eastern gamagrass (GG, Tripsacum dactyloides L.), indiangrass [IG, Sorghastrum nutans (L.). Nash], and switchgrass (SG, Panicum virgatum L.) were compared. In early June, about 6-week old high tunnel grown seedlings were transplanted to assigned clean seedbeds. Plant spacing (cm) was 30-within and 45-between rows. Seeded plots received ≥ 11 kg seeds ha -1 planted at ≤ 2 cm deep in 45-cm wide rows, a month after transplanting to match rainfall availability. As needed, tall-growing broadleaf weeds were removed physically by cutting with a hand hoe. Plants were allowed uninterrupted first year growth with no fertilizer applied. Early in the following spring, dead standing biomass was mowed down to allow the emerging tillers more access to sunlight. During the second and third year after planting, plots were machine harvested twice between July and September for yield assessment. Percentage ground covered by plant material and species basal diameters were also recorded. Data were analyzed as a randomized complete block design for effects of planting method, species, and stand age. Except for GG, transplanting resulted in greater (>3,000 kg DM ha -1 ) forage yield and more so during the second harvest year. Total second year yields were similar for BB and GG and averaged 9,600 and 6,300 kg DM ha -1 for transplanted and seeded, respectively. Indiangrass and SG yields (kg DM ha -1 ) were 11,500 and 8,300 and 13,000 and 10,000 for transplanted and seeded plots, respectively. The NWSG ground cover was greater in the transplanted than seeded plots, while the reverse was true for weed cover. Data indicate that, in less than two years, transplanting under comparable growing conditions can produce harvest-ready uniform NWSG stands in weed infested areas. For practical recommendations, however, data on comparable responses of transplanted vs seeded stands to actual grazing at a similar timing is necessary.