Summer Graze Blend 2

High-Production Summer Forage

Summer Graze Blend 2 is built around haygrazer, giving the mix a productive warm-season grass capable of generating substantial forage during hot weather.

The 38% haygrazer component forms the backbone of the blend. Sorghum-sudangrass types are known for rapid growth, strong regrowth potential, heat tolerance, and the ability to produce large amounts of summer biomass when adequate moisture and fertility are available.

Cowpeas make up 24% of the blend and add highly palatable warm-season legume forage. Their broadleaf growth complements the upright grass canopy while properly nodulated plants can biologically fix atmospheric nitrogen.

Another 24% is sunn hemp, a vigorous warm-season legume capable of rapid growth and substantial biomass production.

The remaining 14% radish adds another broadleaf component and a different rooting structure, further increasing the diversity of the stand.

Built for Grazing, Biomass & Cover

Summer Graze Blend 2 is designed for producers who want more than a conventional single-species haygrazer field.

Haygrazer provides the bulk of the grass forage, while cowpeas and young sunn hemp contribute leafy broadleaf growth. This combination creates a diverse summer pasture that can provide cattle with multiple forage types while producing substantial total biomass.

Below ground, each component also occupies the soil differently. Haygrazer develops an extensive fibrous root system, cowpeas and sunn hemp contribute legume root systems, and radish develops a larger taproot.

That combination makes Summer Graze Blend 2 useful for both livestock production and integrated cover-crop systems where forage, soil cover, living roots, and plant diversity are all part of the goal.

Key Features

• Four-Way Summer Forage Blend – Combines haygrazer, cowpeas, sunn hemp, and radish.
• High Forage Potential – Haygrazer provides a productive warm-season grass foundation.
• Excellent Biomass Production – Designed for operations where total summer tonnage matters.
• Strong Grazing Potential – Provides grass and broadleaf forage for cattle.
• Regrowth Potential – Properly managed haygrazer can regrow following grazing or cutting.
• Two Legume Components – Cowpeas and sunn hemp add nitrogen-fixation potential.
• Root Diversity – Combines fibrous grass roots, legume roots, and radish taproots.
• Heat Adapted – Built around species capable of productive growth during hot summer conditions.
• Good Ground Cover – Rapid growth helps establish protective summer canopy.
• Cover Crop Potential – Adds living roots and multiple plant families to the rotation.
• Flexible Management – Can fit grazing, forage, or integrated crop-livestock systems.

Blend & Agronomic Profile

Blend Name: Summer Graze Blend 2
Crop Type: Warm-Season Forage & Cover Crop Blend
Composition: 38% Haygrazer / 24% Cowpeas / 24% Sunn Hemp / 14% Radish
Crop Diversity: Grass / Legumes / Broadleaf
Primary Use: Grazing / Forage / Cover Crop
Planting Season: Late Spring to Summer
Growth Habit: Warm-Season Annual Blend
Establishment: Fast
Heat Tolerance: Excellent
Forage Potential: Excellent
Biomass Potential: Excellent
Grazing Potential: Excellent
Regrowth Potential: Very Good
Ground Cover: Very Good
Root Diversity: Excellent
Nitrogen Fixation Potential: Yes – Cowpeas & Sunn Hemp
Regional Fit: West Texas, Texas High Plains, Oklahoma Panhandle & Eastern New Mexico
Production System: Dryland or Irrigated

Blend percentages are by seed weight. Because seed size differs considerably between haygrazer, cowpeas, sunn hemp, and radish, established plant populations will not occur in the same proportions as the blend percentages.

Recommended Planting

Summer Graze Blend 2 should be planted after frost danger has passed and soils are warm enough to support rapid germination of its warm-season components.

Recommended Seeding Rate:
Approximately 35–50 lb. per acre drilled is a practical starting range. Final seeding rate should be adjusted for germination, planting date, available moisture, field conditions, grazing plans, and desired stand density.

Planting Depth:
When drilling the complete mixture together, approximately ½–1 inch provides a practical compromise between the larger cowpea and sunn hemp seed and the smaller haygrazer and radish seed.

Plant into adequate moisture whenever possible and prioritize uniform seed-to-soil contact.

For Grazing:
Allow the stand to develop sufficient height and root growth before introducing cattle. Controlled or rotational grazing can improve forage utilization and help maintain regrowth potential.

For Biomass Production:
Allowing additional vegetative growth before grazing or cutting can substantially increase total forage production, although forage quality generally changes as plants mature.

Fertility:
Base fertility on a current soil test and realistic forage goals. Haygrazer responds strongly to nitrogen, but excessive nitrogen can reduce the relative contribution of cowpeas and sunn hemp.

Inoculation:
Use appropriate Rhizobium inoculants for cowpeas and sunn hemp where compatible bacteria are not already established.

Summer Graze Blend 2 FAQ

What is in Summer Graze Blend 2?

Summer Graze Blend 2 contains 38% haygrazer, 24% cowpeas, 24% sunn hemp, and 14% radish by seed weight.

What is Summer Graze Blend 2 used for?

The blend is designed primarily for summer grazing, forage production, biomass, cover cropping, and integrated crop-livestock systems.

What is the difference between Summer Graze and Summer Graze Blend 2?

Summer Graze uses millet as its grass component, while Summer Graze Blend 2 uses haygrazer. The remaining percentages of cowpeas, sunn hemp, and radish are the same.

Is Summer Graze Blend 2 good for cattle?

Yes. The blend combines productive haygrazer with cowpeas and other broadleaf species to provide diverse summer forage. Grazing should be managed according to the characteristics of sorghum-sudangrass.

Does haygrazer have prussic acid risk?

Yes. Because haygrazer is a sorghum-sudangrass type forage, prussic acid can be a concern, particularly following frost and under certain stress or regrowth conditions. Unlike the millet-based Summer Graze blend, Summer Graze Blend 2 requires sorghum-specific grazing management.

Can Summer Graze Blend 2 accumulate nitrates?

Yes. Haygrazer and other forage crops can accumulate elevated nitrates during drought, heavy nitrogen fertility, cloudy conditions, or other plant stress. Suspect forage should be tested before grazing or feeding.

Why are cowpeas included?

Cowpeas add palatable warm-season legume forage, broadleaf diversity, and nitrogen-fixation potential.

Why is sunn hemp included?

Sunn hemp provides rapid summer growth, biomass, plant diversity, and biological nitrogen-fixation potential.

Can cattle graze sunn hemp?

Forage-type sunn hemp can be utilized while young and vegetative. It becomes increasingly stemmy as it matures, so grazing management should focus on leafy vegetative growth.

What does radish add?

Radish adds another broadleaf crop and a taproot that increases below-ground diversity within the blend.

How much Summer Graze Blend 2 should I plant per acre?

Approximately 35–50 lb. per acre drilled is a practical starting range. Adjust according to available moisture, planting method, germination, and desired forage production.

How deep should Summer Graze Blend 2 be planted?

Approximately ½–1 inch is a practical target when drilling all four components together.

When should I plant Summer Graze Blend 2?

Plant after frost danger has passed and soils have warmed. Haygrazer, cowpeas, and sunn hemp are warm-season crops and perform best when established into warm soil.

Can Summer Graze Blend 2 be planted dryland?

Yes. However, forage production will depend heavily on stored soil moisture and summer rainfall. Seeding rate, fertility, and stocking expectations should be adjusted accordingly.

Where can I buy Summer Graze Blend 2?

Contact Jack Seed & Supply for Summer Graze Blend 2 availability and help developing a planting plan for summer grazing, forage, or cover crop production.