Sudangrass

An annual, warm-season grass of tropical origin said to have been grown in Egypt since early times, though its value was first recognized in Sudan only in 1909. In that same year it was introduced into the United States as a replacement for johnsongrass, which had become a noxious weed in many southern states. Sudangrass (Sorghum bicolor var. sudanense, also called S. sudanense and S. vulgare var. sudanense) and its hybrids are commonly used as pasture, greenchop, silage, or hay. They fill an important need in many regions of the United States, because they produce high-quality forage for cattle and sheep during the summer, when other pasture is in short supply or of low quality. Many of the varieties and hybrids produce forage until frost.