Stockpiling Native Warm-Season Forage Grasses in the Mid-South.

High volume, high fiber forages are regularly utilized for winter feed in the Western United States. Despite shorter and milder winters, this strategy has not been evaluated in the South. The objective of this study was to quantify the agronomic traits (forage quantity and nutrient quality) of stockpiled tall fescue (TF; Festuca arundinacea), a big bluestem/indiangrass (BB/IG; Andropogon gerardii/Sorghastrum nutans) mixture, and switchgrass (SG; Panicum virgatum). Fifteen randomly assigned paddocks were sampled during 2015-2016 and 2016-2017 winter grazing periods. Throughout fall and winter, TF maintained higher crude protein but significantly lower available forage. Similarly, fiber content (ADF/NDF) was highest in SG, followed closely by BB/IG, and lowest in TF. Fiber digestibility was significantly higher in BB/IG, compared to SG and TF. With adequate supplementation, high fiber forages may provide economically viable winter feed for southern farmers.