Woodland, California, USA
December 15, 2011
Cal/West Seeds announces the First Edition “Hi-Gest Sudangrass Crop Overview and Forage Production Guide” is now available on-line at its website: www.hi-gest.com.
Cal/West Seeds has operated the largest commercial hybrid sudangrass breeding program in the U.S. since the 1950’s. It offers this guide sharing sixty years of agronomic knowledge and experience about this versatile and profitable crop to producers, extension educators and seed marketers. Growers should find it to be thought provoking and instrumental in maximizing their summer annual programs. The guide covers all aspects of growing sudangrass including harvest timing, cutting management and utilization – all the basics for success in planting and harvesting sudangrass.
Dr. Jon Reich, Executive Vice-President of Research & Development for Cal/West Seeds, states: "Hi-Gest Sudangrass are unique products for producers. They set the standard for fast recovery, tillering, and response to intensive management. The benefits of reduced lignin are demonstrated through improved palatability, increased digestibility and intake, and greater animal output whether measured as meat or milk." Dr. Reich started the breeding program to introduce the brown midrib trait into hybrid sudangrass to enhance forage quality and animal utilization. After almost two decades of inbred line development, test crosses and widespread geographic evaluation, Hi-Gest Sudangrass was commercialized in 2007.
Marty Hegland, Regional Sales and Marketing Manager with Cal/West Seeds, has worked with distributors and has seen how growers have used Hi-Gest for nearly five years. When asked how it has helped his customers and what makes it different from other forages, he responds: “From a harvest management perspective, Hi-Gest Sudangrass offers tremendous flexibility. Rapid recovery allows it to be grazed as pasture, harvested as silage or with its dry-down advantages over sorghum x sudangrass products, it can be baled as dry hay. Dairy and beef producers like Hi-Gest because it can be planted mid-summer following small grains, providing high tonnage of high quality forage in a short period of time.”
Cal/West Seeds is the largest US grower-owned company devoted exclusively to development, production and marketing of seed. Cal/West Seeds is recognized around the world as a leader in forage breeding with over 70 years of experience.
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