FAQ'S ON PROMAX BMR (Brown Mid Rib 12-gene)

Why use Promax?

    ~ Promax allows dairy, beef, sheep, and goat producers a summer annual grass that can be grazed and baled for hay.
    ~ Promax also provides a top quality, highly palatable grass with improved digestibility over other summer grasses.
    ~ Promax contains the BMR-12 gene which accounts for less Lignin content making it more digestible. This decrease in lignin content (20% less than Piper) makes Promax more digestible therefore increasing animal performance. California showed a 20% gain in animal production was achieved vs. grazing a non-BMR Sorghum Sudangrass.
    ~ Promax has higher crude protein than Piper (18.53% vs. 16.83% on Piper)
    ~ Promax exhibits improved levels of TDN (65.48% vs. 64.65% on Piper)
    ~ Promax has rapid growth recovery after cutting or grazing.
    ~ Promax has improved Rust resistance.
    ~ Animals prefer Promax in grazing studies over other BMR varieties and Non-BMR varities.


What are the uses for Promax?
Promax can be used for Pasture, Green Chop, Hay or Silage. The smaller stem (1/4 inch) gives Promax better drying characteristics than other sorghums for hay making.

Where can I use Promax?
Fits production areas where Sudangrass, forage sudan or sorghum-sudangrass hybrids are recommended.

Is Promax safe for all animals?
NO - PROMAX IS NOT SAFE FOR HORSES due to the potential horses have to develop cystis, which could result in paralysis and urinary disorders.
Promax IS safe for beef, dairy, sheep and goat.

How tall will Promax get?
Sudangrass grows from 4-7 feet tall depending on climatic condition and farming practices.

How wide are the leaves?
Promax has leaves approximately 1/2 inch wide.

When can I plant?
Plant after danger of Spring Frost has passed and soil temperature is 60-65 degrees and rising.

What are the planting recommendations?
Generally, drill 25-40 pounds per acre in the Southeast, Northeast and Midwest.
Plains (irrigated) drill 25 - 40 pounds per acre.
Plains (dryland) plant 15-25 pounds per acre.
Southwest (irrigated) Hay production plant 125-150 pounds per acre.

What is the recommended planting depth?
Plant 1/2 to 1 inch deep for the best stand.

Can I No-till Promax?
Yes - works best when following grain; or into pastures and alfalfa stands.

How many seeds per pound does Promax have?
Approximately 32,000 seeds per pound (for drill adjustment)

What about fertility?
Apply approximately 100 pounds of nitrogen per acre pre-plant, and top dress 40 to 60 pounds of N after each harvest. Apply Phosphorus and Potassium per soil test recommendations.

How soon can I graze after planting or regrowth?
Begin grazing at 20-25 inches tall in order to avoid prussic acid potential. Prussic acid is highest in the earlier stages of growth. Rotating paddocks is recommended. Leave 6-8" for best regrowth.

When do I harvest for hay?
Harvest at 45-50 inches of height (before heading) for best yields, total digestible nutrients (TDN) and highest protein levels. Crimping your swather will help cure sudangrass for better and quicker hay harvesting.

What about silage?
Cut before full flowering and allow to cure over night before chopping for silage pit. (High water content can lower silage quality)

How much stubble is needed for good regrowth after a harvest?
Leave 3-6 inches of stubble to encourage rapid regrowth for multiple cuttings per season.

What about Nitrate Poisoning?
Nitrate poisoning can occur if Promax is grazed after a frost and/or if the leaves are wilted. There is a chemical reaction in the plant once it is frozen and thaws that causes the protein in the plant to turn to sugar and then to Nitrogen. If a frost occurs it is recommended that the surviving plants in the field be mowed removing the foliage. New growth should not be affected.

Can I still cut for Hay or Silage after a frost?
Research has shown that cutting Promax for hay or silage after a frost occurrence is safe IF the cuttings are allowed to lay in the field for 10-14 days. This time allows the prussic acid/poison of the plant to neutralize.

What is the difference between BMR-12 gene and BMR-6 gene?
Promax contains the BMR-12 gene which research shows to be an improvement over the BMR-6 gene as follows:
    a) Higher Fiber Digestibility due to lower Lignin content (-20% vs. Piper). Faster Digestion rates result in higher feed intake by the consuming animal and more efficient feed utilization for increased productivity of the animal.
    b) Less negative impact on agronomic performance
    c) Greater positive impact on ADL content
    d) Improved Animal performance
      ~ 20% greater gain/head/day (compared to Piper)
      ~ 20% greater gain per acre (compared to Piper)
    e) More complete forage consumption - less waste
    f) Improved Palatability
    g) Crude Protein - 18.53%
    h) RFV - 115.8
    i) TDN - 65.48%
    j) Improved Rust resistance
    k) Animal Preference
PROMAX PLUS - has Pasja Hybrid Brassica added in for additional grazing profitability and quality. Use for Grazing, Silage and Palatability. (Not for baled Hay usage as it won't dry down)

Variety Baled Hay Grazing Silage Palatability
Pro-Max™

Pro-Max Plus™

(-)





BMR
Sorghum-Sudangrass
Non-BMR Sudangrass