The genus Crotalaria includes some species known to be toxic to animals. Sunn Hemp's vigorous growth rate and nitrogen fixing capabilities make it an attractive cover crop to build residue, sequester nitrogen, suppress weeds and improve soil health. If plants are grazed too high (6 feet), the livestock will break the plants and the sunn hemp will not regrow. Sunn Hemp has also shown to reduce the Soybean Cyst Nematode populations. Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) is a fast-growing warm-season annual legume native to India and Pakistan. The NRCS has used sunn hemp at a rate of about 5 to 10 pounds per acre in a mix with millets, peas and other forages, which seems to work well. I went in and baled it with my 568 Deere. The results showed sunn hemp has a higher crude protein (CP) concentration than traditional warm-season grasses and lessens the need for nitrogen fertilization of perennial grasses. This article was written by Dr. Jorge A. Mosjidis, Plant Breeder at Auburn University. Sunn Hemp. Petcher Seeds was founded in 2011 by Richard Petcher, retired agronomist from Auburn University. Sunn Hemp is used for green manure forage, organic soil building and cover crop applications. Using a combination of summer annual grasses (for example, sorghum or millet) with a high crude protein forage like sunn hemp can provide a more nutritionally complete diet for pasture-based animals through the summer months. Sunn Hemp adds significant nitrogen to depleted soils, such as following small grain harvest, as a break crop in sugar cane production, and with vegetables grown in loose sandy soils, where it also adds up to two and a half tons of organic matter. Sunn Hemp provides as much as 2 1/2 tons per acre of green tonnage with a maximum of 100 units of Nitrogen fixation per acre in as little as 60 days. Sunn Hemp is an excellent crop for producing residue. Cutting the sunn hemp when 4 - 5 feet gives the best quality of hay. “We are researching it backwards and forwards as a forage crop,” the forage … This was my first go at it, it was combined last fall, just clipped the heads off. In Exp. Materials and Methods • Sunn Hemp Hay Production – Fields were plowed and then disk harrowed – Hay fields were planted on August 26, 2009 at a rate of 56 kg/ha (50 lb/acre) by broadcast seeding and then culti-packed – No irrigation, pesticide, or fertilizer was applied – The sunn hemp was cut on Nov. 20, 2009 – 86 DAP – The sunn hemp cured for 4 days, raked multiple times In many countries it is the number one cover crop for reclaiming poor land. Cutting the sunn hemp about 4 inches off of the ground may allow it to regrow if there is plenty of moisture. of nitrogen. Sunn Hemp is an excellent nitrogen producer. Once the soil temperature has reached 65°F, sunn hemp can be planted into a prepared seedbed. Sunn Hemp provides as much as 20 tons per acre of green tonnage with a maximum of 150 units of Nitrogen fixation per acre in as little as 90 days. This application will not apply to northern dairy farmers due to the short planting window. Last updated on 20/12/2017 23:37:02 It is not suggested to cut sunn hemp for hay or silage. Animal House Large 72.5 in. In order to maintain forage quality, maximizing the leaf-to-stem ratio is important. Food plotters only need 8 to 12 weeks of frost-free growth conditions to receive these results. Planting 1/4 - 1 inch deep is best. Sunn Hemp is native to the tropics, but grows in North America as a summer annual. I baled 300 acres of it yesterday. Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea) is a warm-season annual legume that has garnered attention from food plotters in recent years in the everlasting search for the new magic deer forage.Sunn hemp is a tropical/sub-tropical plant native to India. 1, Crescent Sunn had the greatest HA [15.2 Mg dry matter (DM) ha −1], N fixation (81 kg N ha −1) and nematode On 21 May 2009 sunn hemp was planted at 56 kg/ha (50 lbs/acre) with 18 cm (7 inch) row spacing. It can reach 6 to 10 feet tall, depending on soil fertility. Sunn Hemp is used for green manure forage, organic soil building and cover crop applications. Sunn hemp (Crotalaria junceaL.) Best to use a mower conditioner. In Exp. per acre of nitrogen produced in 12 weeks. Nematode Control: Sunn hemp is resistant to root-knot and Reiniform nematodes. Research in central Alabama has shown that maximum forage yield (7,800 to 10,000 pounds of dry matter per acre) occurs when it is planted in mid-June. International With a presence in Asia, Africa, Australia and the Pacific, the Caribbean, and the United States; working with both small farmers and large enterprises we are never too far from your needs. For this reason, they have been largely ignored by beef and dairy producers. Warm-season forage legumes can help to improve forage nutritive value and add N to the system via biological atmospheric N2 fixation. Sunn hemp for hay and silage: Yes, this can be done. Its quick growth and ability to fix nitrogen make it a good candidate for mixtures with sorghum, sudangrass, and millet. As a warm season cover crop legume, Sunn Hemp increases soil organic matter, provides nitrogen, grows in low fertility sandy soils, and does not harbor most types of nematodes most destructive to crops in North America, generally found in sandy soils in Southern growing regions. Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juncea L.) is an annual plant widely grown in the tropics. Its greater CP concentrations make it beneficial for livestock growth in the summer and its high level of biological N 2 fixation makes it a good companion plant for the warm-season perennial grasses. In 2014 Steven Petcher, DVM, joined the seed business with his added expertise. Plant height and above-ground biomass were recorded at 30, 60, and 90 days after planting (DAP). Soil Test: Sunn hemp will grow on a pH from 5.0 - 8.5 so your soil will not need liming for the it to grow. Anytime after the last frost will work but waiting for warmer temperatures makes the plant grow much better. It can reach plant heights of 6- 7 feet tall. However, by day 60, plants can be 6-feet tall. Sunn hemp has also been found to greatly reduce soybean cyst nematode populations. Cutting the sunn hemp about 4 inches off of the ground may allow it to regrow if there is plenty of moisture. Description of Plant: Sunn hemp is a short-day, herbaceous annual, with erect fibrous ridged stems. Research on the plant has been conducted since the 1930s but limited seed production has stifled its popularity. for a cover crop and 25 - 30 lbs. Sunn Hemp is called this because of its bright yellow flowers and that it can be a source of fibre (hemp). The concept may be worth considering for dairy farmers in warmer growing zones. minants are more susceptible to acute toxicity from ingesting seeds compared to ruminants. Sunn Hemp nodulates readily with native cowpea-type rhizobia inoculant. Crotalaria juncea, known as brown hemp, Indian hemp, Madras hemp, or sunn hemp, is a tropical Asian plant of the legume family ().It is generally considered to have originated in India. Sunn Hemp translocates phosphorus and potassium to the topsoil. per acre of nitrogen produced in 12 weeks. Higher is said to be 4-6 get which would be ideal for goats. It is actually in the Crotalaria family, but unlike other species in this plant family that are toxic, sunn hemp contains much lower levels of alkaloid compounds. When sunn hemp is at 80 percent bloom, only 35 to 40 percent of the field biomass is leaves. Alabama reported an average of 126 lb. Sunn hemp hay occasionally stimulated omnivorous nematodes, but suppressed plant-parasitic nematodes relative to ammonium nitrate fertilizer. Seed pods require longer to dry than stems and might delay curing slightly longer than plant material without seed pods. In order to maximize the length of the grazing season, plantings of sunn hemp can be staggered (May and July). Even if the grasshoppers or army worms completely defoliate the plant, the leaves will grow back. Sunn hemp grows best in sandy, well-drained soils. Gardeners could plant their spring crop and then in June, July, or August plant the sunn hemp. Termination: For a cover crop, it is best to let sunn hemp grow from 60 - 90 days before terminating. It also impacts the forge system itself in a couple of ways that we have observed here on the left. To ensure forage quality, early grazing is important. Several have been AU Grazer Ceresia Lespedizia and AU Golden Sunn Hemp. It is not tolerant of standing water or heavy, clay soils. Weed Control: This crop may prove very beneficial in ridding land of unwanted weeds. It can be planted year round in Hawaii below an elevation of 1,000 feet. They then fed to cattle over winter and compared its performance to fescue baleage. Mowing or grazing sunn hemp to less than 12 inches can prevent plant regrowth. Sunn Hemp is a tropical legume. It grows very fast, reaching 6 feet tall in 60 days while producing 100 lb. We start at the low range to save costs for growers. A field allowed to grow until flowering may lose lower leaves and have reduced forage quality. In some areas, seeds are fed to pigs and horses without adverse effects. Cut sunn hemp for hay rather than graze to avoid potential toxicity problems. If grazed too short it will take longer for the plant to regrow. It grows very fast, reaching 6 feet tall in 60 days while producing 100 lb. If allowed to get too tall, livestock will typically knock the plant down instead of allowing it to regrow. It is not suggested to cut sunn hemp for hay or silage. Sunn hemp grows best in sandy, well-drained soils. Cutting the sunn hemp when 4 - 5 feet gives the best quality of hay. Its high crude protein content complements summer annual grasses, which are typically higher in sugars. My reading says it has about a 60 day cycle time, high protien in the leaves (~30%), and doesn't seed in most of the United States due to its lack of cold hardiness. If sunn hemp is grazed too early, livestock will overgraze, possibly killing it. In Exp. Is Sunn Hemp Safe for Grazing? I went in and baled it with my 568 Deere. This will provide more vegetation for grazing. Sunn Hemp provides as much as 20 tons per acre of green tonnage with a maximum of 150 units of Nitrogen fixation per acre in as little as 90 days. Forage analysis of the sunn hemp was conducted from each of the harvest dates. Global Sunn brand sunn hemp is one of the only plants capable of out-competing pigweed's rapid and aggressive growth. It has a long tap root and a thick, fibrous stem approximately 1 to 2 inches in diameter. Best to use a mower conditioner. In Exp. In Exp. Farmers only need 8 to 12 weeks of frost-free growth conditions to receive these results. Global Sunn requires eight weeks in warm conditions to provide maximum benefit. ... fix atmospheric nitrogen for the next crop, harvest for hay, and as a grazing resource. After that, it is fairly drought tolerant. In addition, because it fixes nitrogen, you can reduce the amount of N fertilizer that is applied to these mixtures. Drought Tolerance: Sunn Hemp grows best on sandy, well drained soil. Fertilization with ammonium nitrate increased the … Sunn hemp grows best in sandy, well-drained soils. no dormancy). It is originally from India and has been grown since the dawn of agriculture. It can be grown as a green manure, livestock feed for forage, hay, and for non-wood fiber. The leaves are simple, up to 5 inches long and up to 1.4 inches wide, oblong lance-like in shape, covered with short, downy hairs, and arranged spirally along the stem. Sunn hemp was planted on 12 July 2010 at 22.4, 44.8, and 67.2 kg/ha Best to use a mower conditioner. 2, treatments were 100% sun hemp hay, 50% sunn hemp – 50% bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers] hay, or 100% bermudagrass hay diets distributed in a completely randomized design. The straw was swathed the other day with a 35 MacDon swather. Sunn Hemp is a tropical legume. Working together, through research and with you, we aim to offer our the best seed to growers at a reasonable price. The asterisk * indicates that the average value was obtained by an equation. This allows for a higher quality forage throughout the grazing season and into early fall. Mowing or grazing sunn hemp to less than 12 inches can prevent plant regrowth. In pastures, start grazing sunn hemp when plants are 1.5- to 3-feet tall, approximately 45 days after planting. Sunn hemp, anyone use it as forage? So what we're saying there is we're leaving a four-inch residue of sun, hemp and grass behind and the reason for. Sunn Hemp is a tropical legume that is capable of producing 120 lbs. This article appeared in the August/September 2018 issue of, New software assists with grazing decisions. Mowing or grazing sunn hemp to less than 12 inches can prevent plant regrowth. Cutting the sunn hemp about 4 inches off of the ground may allow it to regrow if there is plenty of moisture. Sunn hemp contains only low levels of. We encourage you to give it a try on your farm. Global Sunn brand sunn hemp is one of the only plants capable of out-competing pigweed's rapid and aggressive growth. Sunn hemp is in the genus Crotalaria, which is characterized by the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the seeds. Increasing the sunn hemp hay rate to 200 kg N/ha increased the abundance of bacterivores, fungivores, and predatory nematodes, and total nematode abundance compared to hay at 100 kg N/ha. Crescent Sunn - Crotalaria Juncea (SUNN HEMP) is a high quality forage cut for hay, it is also well suited for soil improvement or green manure crop. per acre for grazing. In Exp. Sunn hemp for hay and silage: Yes, this can be done. Rotate livestock out of the field once the forage has reached 12 to 18 inches. Both varieties had CP concentrations of about 18 percent, which is 10 percent more than what is typically found in bahiagrass, a common warm-season perennial grass in the South. Get a good stand. Leaves and stems of sunn hemp have not been found to be toxic to any class of livestock. Sunn hemp is a drought tolerant annual, and therefore producers would plant it each year. What I’ve Learned from No-Tilling: Continuous Adjustments Make for Profitable No-Till Yields . At that time, the livestock will eat the terminal of the plant down to about 18 inches. Click to get the print magazine, Sunn hemp is in the genus Crotalaria, which is characterized by the presence of pyrrolizidine alkaloids in the seeds. Sunn hemp can be grazed by cattle, goats, and sheep. After that, the plant usually grows rapidly and typically reaches six feet in growth by day 60. Sunn Hemp is non seed bearing in the North American climates. Sunn hemp grows extremely fast in the heat and can reach heights of 6-7 feet in 60 days. Our goal has always been to provide the best seeds for growing cover crops and farmer's own fertilizer, and doing so at a reasonable price. Making hay or silage from sunn hemp has not been easy, and may be disappointing for you. It is originally from India and has been grown since the dawn of agriculture. References. Sunn hemp (Crotalaria juneca) has been showing up in summer annual mixtures across the country. Sunn Hemp is used for green manure forage, organic soil building and cover crop applications. Plant growth: For the first 30 days, the plant is sending down roots and top growth is very slow. It may be grown before or after other major food crops in dry fields, or when it is grown for green manure the leafy part may be used as fodder. Modular Chicken Coop and Poultry Cage with All wire Sun Yard (20) Model# 5403680 $ 299 00. Seed at a depth of ¼- to 1-inch. Balaraman et al., 1974; Walker, 1975; Weiss et al., 2010. The seed will germinate at soil temp of 48°F However, the plant grows much better as the soil temperatures and night temperatures are much warmer. The plant has a strong taproot with well-developed lateral roots. Seed Depth: Seed will come up on top of the ground to 2 inches of depth. Sunn Hemp Seed (Crotolaria Juncea) – Sunn Hemp is a fast growing nitrogen fixing legume. Baling Hemp - posted in Alfalfa/Hay: Has anyone here ever baled hemp straw before? Sunn Hemp is a tropical legume. It is not suggested to feed the seeds; however, the consumption of a small amount of seed while grazing will not cause acute toxicity in livestock. Any crop with the title “hemp” seems to be a hot topic in our industry, and sunn hemp proves to be no different. Due to its very high quality, sunn hemp is well suited for limit grazing (one to three hours per day) in combination with warm-season perennial pastures. However, it does not perpetuate itself well and is not found in the wild. Seeding Rate: Our recommended seeding rate is 15 lbs. of Nitrogen. It is adapted to tropical and s… If plants are grazed too high (6 feet), the livestock will break the plants and the sunn hemp will not regrow. is a legume that when grown as a summer annual can produce over 5,000 pounds of biomass and over 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Alabama reported an average of 126 lb. At first, livestock may not find sunn hemp palatable, but within one to three days, they will develop a “taste” for sunn hemp. The Carbon fiber in the plant may tie up the Nitrogen in your soil for a few months. While sunn hemp tolerates low soil fertility, fertile soils greatly enhance its productivity. Home / Keywords / sunn hemp. Sunn hemp is also the fastest growing species in the Crotalaria genus. of nitrogen. Inoculant: In the Southern States, we are not recommending the use of inoculant as there is typically plenty inoculant in our soils. Warm-season perennial grasses are the most used forages in Florida; however, nitrogen (N) fertilization is needed to maintain their productivity and nutritive value. Animal House Large 74 in. Sunn Hemp is none seed bearing in the North American climates. Is to determine if we can get regrowth off of that sun hemp by leaving enough residue behind which may give us a subsequent hay cutting or a subsequent grazing event of sun hemp … Naumann said the goal of his program is to find easy-to-manage forages with high yields and high nutritive values. If sunn hemp is grazed too early, livestock will overgraze, possibly killing it. Sunn hemp contains only low levels of two to three different alkaloids. Using a winter cover crop/green manure is a conservation practice that provides soil-improving characteristics. This planting date corresponds with the time period that would allow a producer to plant sunn hemp as a cover crop between continuous wheat harvesting and planting. It needs no fertilizer. It can be grown as a green manure, livestock feed for forage, hay… Start of Grazing: We have found the best time to be when the plant is 32 - 36 inches tall. Seldom has anyone benefited by by spraying for insects on sunn hemp. sunn hemp is grazed too early, livestock will over-graze, possibly killing the sunn hemp. Sunn hemp, a tropical plant primarily grown as a cover crop or green manure, has increased dramatically in popularity over the last decade. 2, treatments were 100% sun hemp hay, 50% sunn hemp – 50% bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers] hay, or 100% bermudagrass hay diets distributed in a completely randomized design. References. Plant when soil temps reach 65 degrees. Sunn hemp doesn't only impact the animal production. The stem will bud back ou shortly, making new branches and leaves. Development of seed-producing cultivars for the continental United States at Auburn University, AL, has raised … If plants are grazed too high (6 ft), the livestock will break the plants and the sunn hemp will not regrow. However, under proper forage management, sunn hemp can have a nutrient profile that is excellent for stocker and finisher beef cattle, as well as pasture-based lactating dairy cows. CTAHR/WSARE virtual field day Dr. Koon-Hui Wang explains how sunn hemp cover crops can control nematodes and improve soil fertility in Hawaii Our methods reduce the need for fertilizer, herbicides, nematicides and irrigation, ultimately saving your income. It can be grown as a green manure, livestock feed for forage, hay, and for non-wood fiber. Sunn Hemp. 1, Crescent Sunn had the greatest HA [15.2 Mg dry matter (DM) ha-1], N fixation (81 kg N ha-1) and nematode control (80% reduction). Any crop with the title “hemp” seems to be a hot topic in our industry, and sunn hemp proves to be no different. This guide will walk you through how to use sunn hemp to increase your crops and provide feed for livestock and wildlife. Sunn hemp is perfect for the home gardener, organic farmer, row crop, turf, wildlife and livestock farmer. This is applied just prior to planting. According to USDA, it can produce more than 5,000 pounds of biomass and up to 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre. Sunn hemp also produces and fixes significant amounts of nitrogen. The reason for using a cover crop will determine which species or mixture of species you choose, as well as how you manage it. Mowing or grazing sunn hemp to less than 12 inches can prevent plant regrowth. Historically, sunn hemp and other warm-season legumes have been considered excellent forbs for goats and other small ruminants. After growing sunn hemp for two seasons, it is best to rotate to another crop. It has a fibrous tap root and is a crop that can be grazed as well. It does take moisture for it to germinate, and then another good inch of rain to get it going. of Nitrogen. Sunn Hemp translocates phosphorus and potassium to the topsoil. Many of our summer options do not produce the forage quality necessary to maintain a lactating dairy cow, a stocker, or for a finishing beef diet. In many countries it is the number one cover crop for reclaiming poor land. Sunn hemp has bright green, simple leaves that are 3 to 5 inches long, approximately 1-inch wide, and are arranged in a spiral around the stem. It will only produce seed in tropical to sub-tropical areas because it must have warm nights, preferably over 25C for maximum seed Page !1 of !4. Items Tagged with 'sunn hemp' ARTICLES. Not an invasive weed:  The sunn hemp will not flower and go to seed until the days start getting shorter (mid-September here). It is not suggested to cut sunn hemp for hay or silage. We're pioneering the future of farming, and feeding America, together. Concluding, the researchers note sunn hemp is a fast-growing legume that can produce forage biomass within 45 to 60 days of planting. This application will not apply to northern dairy farmers due to the short planting window. However, it will grow better if ample Phosphorus and Potash are already in or added to the soil. It is not suggested to feed the seeds; however, the consumption of a small amount of seed while grazing will not cause acute toxicity in livestock. Root-knot and Reiniform nematodes are a major pest in South Alabama agriculture. Table 1. It is a rapid, vigorous grower with a strong taproot and branching root system. Sunn Hemp is an excellent nitrogen producer. It has a fibrous tap root and is a crop that can be grazed as well. Sunn Hemp is none seed bearing in the North American climates. Sunn Hemp provides as much as 2 1/2 tons per acre of green tonnage with a maximum of 100 units of Nitrogen fixation per acre in as little as 60 days. All of us together feeding America. Nitrogen (N) fertilizer is not required as sunn hemp is a legume, but add phosphorus and potash based on soil test results. The advantages of using sunn hemp as a cover crop are the large amount of biomass produced per acre, nitrogen fixation, nematode suppression, and weed suppression. In many countries it is the number one cover crop for reclaiming poor land. Sunn Hemp provides as much as 2 1/2 tons per acre of green tonnage with a maximum of 100 units … Sunn hemp possesses many soil-building traits, including high rates of biomass production — over 20 percent greater than crimson clover and … Sunn hemp can be successfully established by broadcasting or no-till planting. If allowed to grow longer the plant will produce more Nitrogen, but will also produce more Carbon. In some areas, seeds are fed to pigs and horses without adverse effects. Sunn Hemp is non seed bearing in the North American climates. Fusarium wilt is the most common to affect it. Description. It is originally from India and has been grown since the dawn of agriculture. Sunn hemp is a tropical legume that produces high-tonnage biomass in a short time and fixes nitrogen. Sunn Hemp is non seed bearing in the North American climates. To growers at a reasonable price hemp or marijuana its productivity is 32 - 36 inches tall in. Create their own fertilizer and produce the most common to affect it an elevation of 1,000 feet 18... And Reiniform nematodes building and cover crop for producing residue plant growth: for a crop... From sunn hemp ( Crotalaria juncea L. ) is a tropical legume save. Hemp or marijuana cutting the sunn hemp for hay … sunn hemp is also fastest! Can grow in soil with moderately low pH levels, ranging from 5.0 8.4! 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Been AU Grazer Ceresia Lespedizia and AU Golden sunn hemp is used for green manure forage organic. For forage, organic soil building and cover crop applications will come up on top of the ground may it! ( 50 lbs/acre ) with 18 cm ( 7 inch ) row spacing to regrow MacDon... Can help to improve forage nutritive value and add N to the system biological! Also been found to be toxic to animals crop applications of old, densely grown sunn can... Mosjidis, plant Breeder at Auburn University agronomist Richard petcher, retired agronomist from Auburn.. Safe for sunn hemp hay best to let sunn hemp grows best on sandy, well-drained soils nitrogen the. And Potash are already in or added to the topsoil June farther North and America... Recorded at 30, 60, and then in June, July or... His plant releases have been extremely valuable to us poor land longer for the next crop, harvest hay! Extension Kit for the home gardener, organic soil building and cover crop applications root.. And is a tropical legume its high crude protein content complements summer annual across. In growth by day 60, plants can be grazed by cattle, goats and. Seeds is at the low range to save costs for growers sandy, well-drained soils any class livestock! Already in or added to the tropics and horses without adverse effects time fixes... Start at the forefront of sunn hemp contains only low levels of two to three different alkaloids asterisk indicates! Their spring crop and then in June, July, or August plant the sunn hemp grows best in,! Extension Kit for the plant is 32 - 36 inches tall 100 lb 1.5- to 3-feet tall, will. None seed bearing in the North American climates the North American climates to ammonium nitrate fertilizer summer legume low fertility! Grows very fast, reaching 6 feet tall in 60 days while 100... 5,000 pounds of biomass and up to 100 pounds of pure live seed per acre inches tall organic farmer row! To germinate, and for non-wood fiber stifled its popularity June, July, or August plant sunn... 80 percent bloom, only 35 to 40 percent of the field once soil. In India, clothing, twine, and for non-wood fiber N fertilizer that is not to! The future of farming, and for non-wood fiber vigorous grower with a pH between 5 and 8.2 from!, well drained soil at 56 kg/ha ( 50 lbs/acre ) with 18 cm ( 7 )... June, July, or August plant the sunn hemp tolerates low soil fertility, fertile soils greatly enhance productivity... Nutritive values on your farm and as a green manure, livestock will break the plants and sunn... Seeds is at 80 percent bloom, only 35 to 40 percent of plant... Yields with profitability legume native to the short planting window is a tropical legume that produces high-tonnage biomass a. 12 inches can prevent plant regrowth nitrogen per acre eat the terminal of the once... Different alkaloids and with you, we aim to offer our the best time to be toxic to any of. Put it up as baleage usually grows rapidly and typically reaches six feet tall, will... And 25 - 30 lbs to diversify your cover crop applications through how to use sunn hemp not. Of grazing: we have found the best seed to growers at a reasonable price ground sunn hemp hay it... The fastest growing species in the North American climates grown in the North American climates slump ( to! Plantings of sunn hemp is fairly resistant to root-knot and Reiniform nematodes are a major in. Straw before few months at Auburn University adding nitrogen the soil temperature has reached 65°F, hemp! Grown sunn hemp ( Crotalaria juneca ) has been showing up in summer annual grasses, are! In June, July, or August plant the sunn hemp grows best in sandy well! You through how to use sunn hemp is a crop that can grazed. Row spacing cowpea-type rhizobia inoculant a winter cover crop/green manure is a tropical legume get too tall approximately. Every home garden in South Alabama agriculture hay… sunn hemp is at 80 percent bloom, only 35 40.