Re: Planting Tifton 9 Bahia grass

Posted by James Howell on March 30, 2012 at 07:18:25 from (75.199.238.156):

In Reply to: Re: Planting Tifton 9 Bahia grass posted by Texasmark1 on March 30, 2012 at 04:05:13:

Thanks for the compliment; we enjoy sharing our photos and videos with folks on the YT forums.

You have several questions which will be displayed in italics.

The answers to your questions will be in bold font.

I have seen Bahia out west and as said, it seems to have taken over. Have a friend that bales it for sale but it looks like a sparse grass with low yield and seems mostly to be stems. Am I missing the point?

Our farm was primarily used for grazing cattle by both my grandfather and father since the late 1920s.

One Coastal Bermuda hayfield was sprigged by my grandfather during the early 1950s for hay production to feed his cattle.

Within the last year Nancy’s horses have used two of the Bahia grass fields for grazing.

All of my surrounding neighbors have Bahia grass fields for grazing cattle.

Since our Bahia fields need to be maintained by cutting, we decided to bale it rather than shred and waste it.

My community neighbors buy all we can bale because it is close and less than half the price at the feed stores.

Our goal is to maintain good grazing fields for either horses or cattle and not waste any potential hay forage for cattle.

You mentioned several varieties. Which do you prefer and why?

We work very close with the Titus County Agriculture Agent on managing our fields.
When we discussed our plans to “reclaim” the bottom, he recommended Tifton 9 Bahia grass.
This link will provide information and give the details of our choice.
Bought 40 pound bags at about $108 per bag last year; this year price was over $250 per bag.

Way too rich for my blood, so bought 50 pound bags of Pensacola Bahia at about $72 per bag.
Since Tifton 9 is an improved Pensacola Bahia grass variety, had to go with the comparable Pensacola Bahia grass seed that was more affordable.

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