{"id":1294,"date":"2026-08-21T08:26:07","date_gmt":"2026-08-21T08:26:07","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/foragebaler.com\/sorghum-sudangrass-hay-baling-guide-prussic-acid-safety-thick-stem-curing-and-equipment\/"},"modified":"2026-08-21T08:26:07","modified_gmt":"2026-08-21T08:26:07","slug":"sorghum-sudangrass-hay-baling-guide-prussic-acid-safety-thick-stem-curing-and-equipment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/foragebaler.com\/pt\/sorghum-sudangrass-hay-baling-guide-prussic-acid-safety-thick-stem-curing-and-equipment\/","title":{"rendered":"Guia de enfardamento de feno de sorgo-sud\u00e3o: seguran\u00e7a com \u00e1cido pr\u00fassico, cura de talos grossos e equipamentos."},"content":{"rendered":"
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Crop Guide \u00b7 Sorghum Sudangrass Hay \u00b7 Updated August 2026<\/p>\n
Sorghum sudangrass hybrids produce the highest dry matter yield of any annual warm-season hay crop in the US \u2014 4\u20138 tonnes per acre per season<\/strong> from 2\u20133 cuttings. Two factors make it more demanding to bale than standard hay grasses: prussic acid (HCN) accumulation<\/strong> in young or stressed plants requires a mandatory waiting period before cutting, and the thick hollow stems<\/strong> require mechanical conditioning and shredder-equipped balers for consistent throughput. Both challenges are manageable \u2014 this guide covers the protocols for each.<\/p>\n Covers: prussic acid safety protocol \u00b7 mandatory waiting periods \u00b7 thick stem conditioning \u00b7 cutting stage \u00b7 curing timeline \u00b7 equipment recommendations \u00b7 silage option<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sorghum sudangrass contains cyanogenic compounds that convert to prussic acid (HCN) under stress conditions. Prussic acid is lethal to livestock<\/strong> when consumed in sufficient quantity. Mandatory waiting periods must be observed before cutting or grazing any sorghum sudangrass that has been frosted, drought-stressed or otherwise stressed. Well-cured dry hay (below 14% moisture) has dissipated the majority of HCN through volatilization and is generally safe \u2014 but the protocol must be followed at every cutting.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n Sorghum sudangrass hybrid is a cross between grain sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) and sudangrass (Sorghum sudanense) \u2014 combining the high biomass yield of grain sorghum with the finer stem and faster regrowth of sudangrass. It grows rapidly under warm conditions (25\u201335\u00b0C optimal) and produces 2\u20133 cuttings per season in most US climates, with total seasonal dry matter yield of 4\u20138 tonnes per acre \u2014 two to three times the yield of most cool-season hay grasses under equivalent management.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n The prussic acid (hydrocyanic acid, HCN) in sorghum sudangrass is stored as dhurrin, a cyanogenic glucoside. Dhurrin is harmless in intact plant cells \u2014 the danger occurs when cell membranes are disrupted: by wilting, frost, drought or mechanical crushing. Disrupted cells allow the enzyme rhodanese to contact dhurrin and rapidly convert it to free HCN gas, which absorbs into the bloodstream of livestock consuming the plant material.<\/p>\n
\n Get Equipment Recommendation for Sorghum Sudangrass<\/a>\n <\/div>\n<\/p><\/div>\n<\/div>\n
\n During drought stress: do not cut until 5\u20137 days after rain resumes growth<\/span>
\n Young plants (under 45cm): do not cut or graze<\/span>\n <\/div>\n<\/div>\nSorghum Sudangrass \u2014 Highest-Yielding Warm-Season Annual Hay Crop<\/h2>\n
Prussic Acid \u2014 Understanding the Risk and the Protocol<\/h2>\n
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