Tifton 9 Bahiagrass Seed

Establish a persistent warm-season pasture grass selected for forage production in the Southeast.

A forage-first bahia

Tifton 9 is a bahiagrass variety used for warm-season pasture and hay. It forms a persistent stand that tolerates heat and periodic drought once established. The grass grows actively in warm weather and slows as temperatures cool. Choose it for forage fields and open ground where a durable perennial matters more than a fine-textured, dense lawn. Tifton 9 has a more upright growth habit than some bahiagrass cultivars, which makes it a useful choice when the field will be cut for hay.

Establish after frost

Plant in spring after the last frost, when soil is warming and the seedbed can stay moist. Use a firm, weed-free surface and cover seed lightly. Keep young plants protected from grazing until they have rooted and begun to spread. A soil test can guide lime and fertilizer decisions. Do not use nitrogen by habit if the pasture does not need it.

Plan for grazing recovery

Bahiagrass withstands grazing, but it still needs enough leaf area to recover. Rotate animals through paddocks when practical and avoid repeatedly grazing the same plants close to the ground. Mow or clip seed heads to manage mature growth, leaving enough stubble for regrowth. These practices help maintain a useful stand and reduce bare areas where weeds can move in.

Fit it to the field

Bahiagrass production is concentrated in the warm months, with most growth occurring from April through September in Florida. Plan hay or grazing use around that summer flush instead of expecting uniform production year-round. For grazing, retain about 3 inches of stubble under rotational stocking or 5 inches under continuous stocking during midsummer. Cutting or grazing too close repeatedly weakens stands over time. Tifton 9 also suits hay fields because its upright growth can be easier to harvest than lower-growing types. Test soil before applying fertilizer, since forage use and field conditions change nutrient needs. The pasture value comes from persistence and usable forage, so plan rotations around regrowth instead of a fixed calendar. Drought can slow leaf recovery even after the stand is established.