Sudan grass is a tall grass plant primarily used as feed for livestock. It is closely related to grain sorghum. Sudan grass grows from 61/2 to 10 feet (2 to 3 meters) high. It is an annual, and therefore new seeds must be planted each growing season. This grass is native to dry regions of northwestern Africa. It was introduced into the United States in 1909 from Khartoum, Sudan, by the U.S. Department of Agriculture.
Sudan grass is grown in pastures either alone or with legumes, such as soybeans. It is used most frequently in the South, and in Arizona and California. It also has been grown during the summer in the Northeast and the Great Plains. Sudan grass resists drought well, but is sensitive to frost. After a severe drought or frost, it contains high levels of prussic acid that can poison cattle.
Since the 1950’s, Sudan grass has been crossed with grain sorghum to make hybrids that are more productive and more resistant to disease than Sudan grass. These hybrids are more widely used than Sudan grass.
