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Scientific name:	Andropogon gerardii
Cultivars:	Bison, Bonilla, Champ, Kaw, Earl, Niagara, Parnee, Rountree
Origin:	USA
Growth Habit:	Bunch type
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Use
Production:	Excellent; grows well in summer. Big bluestem is slower to establish compared with cool season forages and may not produce significant forage during the seeding year.
Nutritive Value:	Palatable grass among natives, with high CP (10% or greater) in summer and 60%+ digestibility
Herbaria Image:	Click this link
Identification
Seed Head:	Raceme, inflorescence can have 3-7 Flowers Aug-Sep
Seed:	Light and fluffy; slender Brown to tan, 1/2" long,
Shoot:	Erect, 9-10', generally covered with bluish tinted waxy layer. Long hairs sometimes present in leaf sheaths. Rhizomes sometimes present
Leaf:	Flat, 6-24
Auricles:	Absent
Ligule:	Small, membranous
Adaptation
Soil:	Sandy or clay loam; well drained
pH:	5.4-6.2
Moisture:	Does not tolerate extremely wet conditions
Temperature:	USDA Hardiness Zones 4-9, prefers full sun or partial shade.
Other:	Adapted to prairie-like conditions Poor shade tolerance
Establishment - Management
Seeding rate:	7-12 lbs/acre (alone); 5-8 lb (in mixes)
Seed cost:	$12-19/lb; $84-220/acre (alone), $60-150/acre (in mixes)
Planting date:	Early in spring
Planting depth:	1/4 to 1/5inch Can be broadcast or use no-till methods Slow to establish.
Frost seeding:	Not recommended.
Fertilization:	No N fertilization should be used during establishment year unless no weed competition is expected.
Grazing:	Can graze June through August Do not graze during establishment year. Defoliation should be controlled in second season. Daily gains potential of 2.5+lb/day/head
Hay:	Single cut can be taken at the end of the season Do not cut below 8" or within a month of anticipated frost. Do not cut before 20" of growth
Notes
Nesting bird value is high