Commodities: Field Crops: Forages
Georgia Forages: Switchgrass
Dr. Dennis Hancock,
Forage Extension Specialist
Crop & Soil Sciences Dept. 
Switchgrass is a bunch-type NWS grass that produces short rhizomes. Switchgrass has gained a lot of attention as a biomass and bioenergy crop because it produces high yields (often above 8 tons per acre) and requires few inputs once established. Switchgrass can be grown in nearly all well- or moderately well-drained sites in Georgia. However, switchgrass can be slow to establish (seed dormancy issues and poor seedling vigor). Furthermore, the forage quality is generally low when harvested for hay and the bunch-grass (“clumpy”) nature of the switchgrass plant can damage tractor and equipment tires.
For more information on switchgrass production, visit the UGA Switchgrass website.