Bermudagrass [Cynodon dactylon (L.) Pers.] hay is an important output from land receiving swine (Sus scrofa) effluent application (also known as spray fields); however, there is limited information about cultivar differences in the upper Southeast United States. Herbage accumulation, nutritive value, tissue nitrate concentration, and stem maggot damage were evaluated for five bermudagrass cultivars ('Coastal', 'Midland 99', 'Ozark', 'Tifton 44', and 'Tifton 85') fertigated with swine effluent throughout three growing seasons (2016, 2017, and 2018). All cultivars achieved canopy height ≥35 cm by July and cover of 100% by August of year of planting. Based on 3-yr averages, Tifton 85 (9.3 Mg ha -1 ) had greater herbage accumulation than cultivars Coastal, Ozark, and Tifton 44 (≈7.9 Mg ha -1 ), and Midland 99 was intermediate (8.5 Mg ha -1 ). Bermudagrass stem maggot (Atherigona reversura) damage was consistently lower for Tifton 85 and resulted in larger differences in herbage accumulation in 2017 (11.2 vs. 8.4 Mg ha -1 for Tifton 85 and the other cultivars, respectively). There were moderate differences in crude protein concentration (ranged from 179 to 212 g kg -1 ) and no difference in total digestible nutrients (622 g kg -1 ). Tissue nitrate concentrations ranged from 3,433 to 16,168 mg NO 3 kg -1 . Differences in productivity and nutritive value were moderate among cultivars; however, in areas with potentially high bermudagrass stem maggot damage, greater utilization of Tifton 85, if adapted, is warranted. Hay production from spray fields results in high yields and high nutritive value forage. Frequent nitrate testing, if possible by harvested hay lot, is advised.

Crabgrass (Digitaria spp.) is deemed as a productive and nutritious warm‐season annual forage for livestock in the U.S. transition zone. However, there is limited information about nitrogen (N) source and rate effects on productivity and nutritive value of crabgrass in North Carolina. Herbage accumulation (HA), N removal, crude protein (CP), total digestible nutrients (TDN), and tissue nitrate (NO3−) concentrations were evaluated for 2 yr (2020 and 2021) in two physiographic regions (Piedmont and Coastal Plain). Treatments were five rates of chemical N fertilizer (up to 480 kg N ha−1), five rates of plant‐available N from broiler poultry litter (up to 472 and 399 kg N ha−1 in 2020 and 2021, respectively), and one control (zero N). Overall crabgrass responses were not different between N sources. At Coastal Plain, HA increased from 4,990 kg dry matter (DM) ha−1 and plateaued at 7,136 kg DM ha−1 at an agronomic optimum N rate (AONR) of 198 (SE = 49) kg N ha−1. At Piedmont, HA responses were erratic, estimation of an AONR was not possible, and HA values were approximately half or less to those at Coastal Plain. Removal of N was linearly associated with HA. Increasing N rate had a marginal positive effect on CP (ranged from 126 to 154 g kg−1) and no effect on TDN (averaged 626 g kg−1). Tissue NO3− values were below the toxic threshold for feeding livestock. Poultry litter is an effective N source for crabgrass. Nitrogen rate effects were more apparent on crabgrass’ productivity; nutritive value was generally high regardless of N rate and source.