Fifteen introduced and native warm-season perennial grasses were evaluated for yield, yield distribution, and quality in south-central Oklahoma. These grasses have production potential for forage and/or biofuel. Each was harvested one to four times per year. “Alamo” switchgrass (Panicum virgatum) had a two-year average dry matter yield of 17690？kg？ h a ？ 1 . Over 1/3 of this production occurred in May with a crude protein (CP) range of 97–115？g？ k g ？ 1 . Alamo’s high yield potential and early spring growth make it attractive for spring forage production and fall biomass production. Other grasses with two-year average dry matter yields over 11200？kg？ h a ？ 1 and 1/3 of yearly production occurring early in the growing season that have potential dual purpose use include “Selection 75” kleingrass (Panicum coloratum), “Midland 99” bermudagrass (Cynodon dactylon), johnsongrass (Sorghum halepense), “Carostan” flaccidgrass (Pennisetum flaccidum), and “Ermelo” weeping lovegrass (Eragrostis curvula). 1. Introduction Beef cattle production is a major agricultural enterprise in south-central Oklahoma and the southern Great Plains. Large acreages are currently established in both native and introduced warm-season perennial grasses that support beef cattle production. According to the 2007 Census of Agriculture, Oklahoma ranks fifth nationally in cattle and calves and fourth in acres in forage, while Texas ranks number one in both of these categories. The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007 calls for 136 billion liters of biofuels to be produced from renewable resources in the US by 2022 with just under half to be produced from a cellulosic biomass source such as switchgrass [1]. To meet the demand for cellulosic ethanol production called for in The Energy Independence and Security Act of 2007, could require the conversion of acreage currently established in perennial grasses to higher biomass producing grass species such as switchgrass. There is currently an economic incentive for producers to maintain their production practices in beef cattle; however, to reach the biofuel production goals stated in the Energy Independence and Security Act, with continued emphasis on the use of switchgrass as the primary source of renewable biofuel stock a shift from current grass production systems to switchgrass production may be required. Producers may be willing to shift production practice if they understand that what they grow for biofuel could also be used for forage production to support grazing or haying. The objective of the study was to evaluate differences in
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