Big River crabgrass is a high-quality, improved variety of summer annual forage grass, developed by Dalrymple Farms for superior grazing and hay production, known for its palatability, digestibility, and ability to reseed itself, making it a valuable alternative to traditional summer forages when managed correctly, often planted by broadcasting with fertilizer or lime. It performs well in warmer, rainier conditions, providing protein and nutrients for livestock, but requires shallow planting and careful management for successful self-regeneration. ~~~ Dal's Big River crabgrass is a high-quality, improved variety of summer annual forage grass, developed by Dalrymple Farms for superior grazing and hay production, known for its palatability, digestibility, and ability to reseed itself, making it a valuable alternative to traditional summer forages when managed correctly, often planted by broadcasting with fertilizer or lime. It performs well in warmer, rainier conditions, providing protein and nutrients for livestock, but requires shallow planting and careful management for successful self-regeneration. Product Information Application or Use: Pasture, Cattle Forage, Livestock Grazing, Hay Production Germination Time: 7 - 14 days, under optimal conditions Growing Locations: Warm Season, Transition Zone, Cool Season Height: Up to 3 feet Sunlight Requirements: 8+ hours, full sun for best results Advantages: High quality forage, tolerant of sandy/clay loam soils with good drainage. When to Plant: Recommended planting time is spring, summer and early fall, when night time temperatures are consistently 65+ degrees. Product Detail Rapid Establishment Excellent forage yield High-quality hay and grazing potential Strong summer annual performance Product Information Big River Crabgrass represents the most recent variety development from one of our trusted, farmer-direct producers. This variety traces directly back to the original ‘Red River’ Crabgrass, which was released to the public by the Noble Research Institute in Ardmore, Oklahoma in 1988. Our farmer-direct supply has maintained exceptionally strict standards, almost religious, when it comes to seed field sanitation, genetic purity, and varietal protection. Through careful selection and isolation, our trusted farmer re-purified a super-pure source of the original ‘Red River’ Crabgrass, preserving the genetics that made it one of the most respected annual forage crabgrasses in the country. As a runner grass, Crabgrass spreads by stolons, which can grow to 4 ft. in length. Where the stolons touch the ground, roots are produced. Red River Crabgrass can grow to around 3 ft. high, and produces enough seed for volunteer re-establishment. This re-purified selection was released to the public in 2017. Big River Crabgrass is a genetically pure expression of the original 1988 ‘Red River’ Crabgrass, selected for uniformity, vigor, and forage production. In its first selection and seed increase block, Big River Crabgrass produced approximately 4,200 lbs of forage per acre just 66 days after sprouting, while leaving a 3-inch stubble height. This growth stage represents an ideal hay harvest window, balancing yield and forage quality. Under favorable conditions, Big River Crabgrass can exceed 3 feet in height. Even when lodging occurs due to heavy rainfall, the crop swaths well and forms clean windrows. While cutting too short may slow regrowth, adequate moisture allows the stand to recover and continue producing. *Product packaging may appear different than what is pictured.~~~
