Red Ripper
Cowpeas
Life Cycle: Annual
Introduced/ Native: Introduced
Growth Habit: Vining
Plant Height: 30-36 inches
Benefits
● Good forage production
● Provides high protein forage suitable for livestock and wildlife
● Excellent for cover crop and or green manure. crop
● Excellent nitrogen fixation
● Good re-growth
Description
Red Ripper Cowpeas high yielding veining type annual warm season legume adapted through most of the southern states. Cowpeas can be used as forage, hay, and silage and is suitable for all classes of livestock and wildlife. When used as forage, it should only be lightly grazed after flowering. If there are several buds left after defoliation, the plant will regenerate.
Due to its rapid growth and nitrogen fixing capabilities, cowpeas are an excellent choice for cover crop or green manuring.
They can be grown on a variety of soil types but prefer sandy loam - clay loam soil. However, they will not tolerate waterlogged soils. Cowpeas should be planted when soil temperatures are around 70 degrees, usually around April - Mid April.
Crop USe
Dry Hay
Continuous Grazing
Rotational
Gtazing
Wildlife
USe
