Switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) is a vigorous, warm-season perennial grass planted for many purposes including livestock grazing, wildlife cover and as a biofuel crop.

Switchgrass begins growth in late spring and continues through the summer if moisture is available. It grows 3 to 6 feet in small to large sodded clumps that spread slowly from numerous scaly, creeping rhizomes.

 Click here to read a question submitted by a reader regarding cutting and drying hay.

If we understand and use the biology and physics of forage drying properly, not only does hay dry faster and have less chance of being rained on, but the total digestible nutrients (TDN) of the harvested forage are higher.

Forage yield in 2010 was generally average or above average across the Midwest. Good rain occurred over the entire growing season which elevated hay and pasture yield.