- Dense lush leaf with a large grain head
- Resistant to Downy Mildew
- High yield potential which is excellent for silage
Cowvittles II is a conventional hybrid forage sorghum with high yield potential. A dense lush leaf type with a large grain head, Cowvittles II sets the standard for forage sorghums.
| Disease/Insect/Nematode Ratings: | |
| Downy Mildrew: | R |
| Agronomic Traits: | |
| Early Seedling Vigor: | Excellent |
| Growth Habit: | Upright with Large Head |
| Recovery after Cutting: | Fair |
| Maturity: | 100 days to Soft Dough |
| Uniformity: | Excellent |
| Plant Color: | Red |
| Midrib Type: | Juicy |
| Planting Rates: | |||||||||||||
| Bushel Weight: | 56 lbs. | ||||||||||||
| Seeds Per Pound: | 17,000 | ||||||||||||
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| Adaptation Ratings: | |
| Photosynthetic Type: | C4 – Warm Season |
| Temperature: | Warm (55 F) |
| Water Requirement: | Very Low |
Seeding:
- Soil temperature should be at least 55 F.
- Cowvittles II is usually planted between June 10 and July 10 in the northern states.
- Can be no-tilled into the stubble of winter and spring crops.
- Planting depth should be 1”.
- Do not plant in soils with pH greater than 7.5 to 8.0. Chlorosis will be a severe problem.
- Cowvittles II is an excellent companion with Forage Soybeans or Black Autry Cowpeas.
Harvest:
- Cowvittles II is usually harvested 100 days after seeding.
- Protein will decline as harvest is delayed, but energy will increase upon heading due to continued sugar formation in the sorghum stalks and leaves, and carbohydrate deposition in the developing grains.
| Crop Use Information: | |
| Life Cycle: | Annual |
| Ease of Establishment: | Good |
| Shade Tolerance: | Poor – Fair |
| Drought Stress: | Fair |
| Wet Soil: | Fair |
| Low pH Tolerance: | Moderate |
| Minimum pH: | 6.0 |
| Saline Soils (White Alkali): | Fair |
| Saline – Sodic Soils (Black Alkali): | Poor – Fair |
| Hay: | Fair |
| Silage: | Excellent |
| Continuous Grazing: | Not intended for Grazing |
| Rotational Grazing: | Not intended for Grazing |
| Palatability: | Excellent |
| Anti-Quality: | Prussic Acid and Nitrate |
Strengths
- Standard for forage sorghums.
- High yield potential.
- A dense lush leaf type.
- Resistant to Downy Mildew.
- Excellent for ensilage.
- Juicy midrib type.
Weaknesses
- Medium grain to fodder ratio.
Avoid Nitrate and Prussic Acid Poisoning from sorghum:
Avoid large nitrogen applications prior to expected drought periods. 2,4-D can increase Prussic Acid concentration for several weeks after application. Do not harvest drought-damaged plants within 4 days following a good rain. Do not green chop within 7 days of a killing frost. Cut at a higher stubble height, nitrates tend to accumulate in the lower stalk. Wait 1 month before feeding silage to give Prussic Acid enough time to escape.