Andy Sullivan: Against the Grain

Thu, 08/31/2023 - 8:26am — Diane Dyer

As long as I’ve heard of Johnsongrass (which is all my life), I’ve wondered where it came from. Johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense L) is a warm-season grass. Originally from the Mediterranean region of Europe and Africa, and possibly to Asia Minor, it was introduced in North America in the 1800’s as a forage alternative. The name “Johnsongrass” refers to Colonel William Johnson, who introduced this species to his river-bottom farm in Alabama in the 1840’s.

Is Johnsongrass good for anything? It’s great for cattle grazing until it becomes stressed. However, similar to kudzu, it is easy to graze it out with continuous grazing. It also makes a good hay crop but only if you can cure it.

For sites with established infestations, a full application of Roundup or Touchdown will kill emerged tissue and often developing rhizomes. Growing early maturing crops, plowing immediately after harvest, and tilling as needed are common methods to break up rhizomes and weaken johnsongrass stands in cultivated areas. Cows can’t eat it because it can produce toxic levels of prussic acid, especially when stressed during cold temperatures and can then poison cattle. Prussic acid is one of the most potent toxins in nature.

As with many weeds, pulling out johnsongrass by hand can break the roots. Those obnoxious roots will grow back. Grazing and burning are not effective for the control of johnsongrass. Prevent johnsongrass from becoming established in new areas. This can be accomplished by preventing the production of seed, the spread or rhizomes from infested to non-infested areas, and by controlling seedlings originating from shattered seed. (www.google.com)

Below are links to my podcast, Blendertainment

https://open.spotify.com/show/61yTPt9wXdz37DZTbPUs16?si=w5jHghPVRmaTaP5Z...

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/blendertainment/id1541097172

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