Jerrell Shepherd, Dan's dad, is nearly hidden in a mature stand of buffalo or eastern gamagrass in July, just before harvest. With over 1,100 acres of the grass for seed and buffalo grazing and 10 years of experience, he fits the title.
Establishment is unpredictable.
It's planted in 30-inch rows with a corn planter, at 10 pounds per acre. Shepherd, along with the USDA and NRCS, developed a wet-cold stratification process to aid germination. It has proven adaptable from Mexico to Canada and is very drought resistant because of its extensive root system, which may reach 5-10 feet into the ground. It is a clump-type grass. A single plant may reach 3 feet in diameter.