Forages are the major component of lactating dairy rations and make up an even greater proportion of replacement heifer and dry cow diets. Due to the wide range in climate, soils, irrigation availability, and cow management (i.e., confinement vs. grazing vs. hybrid systems), a “cookie-cutter” approach to designing forage systems for southern US dairy production is impossible. Consequently, forage systems are driven by local conditions and management preferences and often vary markedly even within a community. Traditional forage systems comprised of corn, alfalfa and/or small grains silage are common regionwide; however, rising fertilizer input costs and risks associated with drought and irrigation water have increased plantings of forage sorghum and pearl millet. Tropical corn hybrids, Tifton 85 bermudagrass, and adapted non-dormant alfalfa varieties have also improved silage and green chop options for confinement forage systems. Baleage as a production practice has increased the feasibility of harvesting high quality forage when traditional silage equipment is prohibitively expensive or where custom harvesters are unavailable. Grazing dairies have also recently increased some areas. Forage systems for these dairies vary depending on region and range from non-toxic tall fescue, alfalfa, bermudagrass and orchardgrass based perennial systems to annual systems including ryegrass, crabgrass, pearl millet and sorghum × sudangrass. Systems regionwide will be reviewed to provide an overview of their diversity and uses.