Its sounds to me like you need something like switch grass or some other type of NWSG. I see some kind of stuff being grown on my way to Tallassee on some of the Auburn research land just south of town (or at least that's what I think it is) that I'd love to know what is called. It's at least head high and looks like the thickest patch of switchgrass you've ever seen. They harvest it into bales and it comes right back the next year. It looks like ideal bedding.