Like all grasses, crabgrass likes nitrogen. “To get a medium-quality crop, apply a minimum of 50-60 lbs/acre of nitrogen. But ideally, in a dryland situation, a split application of 50 lbs of nitrogen in the spring and 50 lbs in mid-summer will help you get maximum yields. A good rule of thumb is that the crop needs 1-2 lbs of nitrogen per growing day.”

A new variety developed by Dalrymple, Quick-N-Big, is taller and faster-growing than Red River. “It sprouts and grows quicker, reaching 12-14" at the same time Red River is about 3-4" tall,” he says. “Beyond that, most of the quality characteristics are similar to the Red River variety.”

Many growers who have tried the new variety, which is available in limited quantities its first few years, have a time staying ahead of it, he says. “If you cut it in the 18-24" height range, you'll get good hay.”

The same holds true for grazing, he says. “You need to be ready to start grazing it when it's between 4" and 8" tall, and that will be sooner than other crabgrass varieties.”

The average full height of Quick-N-Big is 43", but Dalrymple has seen it as tall as 56" under ideal conditions. “It does tend to get stringy when it's that tall, since the nodes are farther apart on the stems.”

Quick-N-Big was certified in 2008, is available through Elstel Farm & Seeds and costs $6-9/lb for new-crop pure live seed and $6.50-10/lb for aged seed. Red River certified seed typically sells for $5.50-7/lb.

For more on Elstel Farm & Seeds, go to www.redrivercrabgrass.com.