Don't know about Kansas, but Bermuda is pretty much the number one hay product here in Texas, especially for horses. Various hybrids produce better, but they have to be sprigged. Common bermuda and some of the other seed varieties are just as desirable for the horses, although they don't produce as much.
It needs to warm up before planting it, especially if you are planting seed, because it won't germinate until the ground is 65-70 degrees. Usually thats about now down here, but it is unseasonably cool as we are supposed to get into the 30s tonight and need nights in the 60s for a while before its time to plant the bermuda.
The only reason I know anything about this is I have been planting bermuda hay on 3 or 4 acre patches on my property the last few years. I have a plot tilled up right now waiting for warmer weather. Of course the longer you wait, the better the chance the crop won't get enough rain.
I have been told by real farmers that they will plant both hulled and unhulled seed. The hulled seed will germinate quicker, but if conditions are too cold or dry for an extended period they might never germinate, whereas the unhulled seed will hang around and wait for the right conditions, so you can more safely plant it earlier, they say.
For sprigging you must have some damp soil or rain soon after planting or it won't take, because the little roots dry out. I went with seed for that reason, but the big producers use coastal and other varieties that have to be sprigged.
