Improved bermudagrasses are one of the most important sources of forage in the Southern United States, with more tonnage harvested for hay in the region than any other perennial grass cultivar. A new selection increasing in popularity is Tifton 85. Tifton 85 is a very productive forage which has high digestibility and produces excellent weight gains. While it has been managed similar to Coastal, very little is known about the specific nutrient requirements of Tifton 85. The effects of nitrogen fertilizer rates ranging from 50 to 200 lbs N/acre on yields and quality of Tifton 85 bermudagrass were evaluated on a Burleson clay soil near Thrall, Texas. Individual plots were 10 feet wide by 20 feet long, and the study was arranged as a randomized complete block with four replications. Treatments in 2001 and 2002 included nitrogen rates of 50, 75, 100 and 125 lbs N/acre. Nitrogen rates of 150 and 200 lbs N/acre were added in 2003 and 2004, respectively. Fertilizer was applied at spring green up and following each harvest. Increasing the recommended N rate from 100 to 125 lbs/acre significantly increased yields in only two of five years, but increased crude protein content for most harvests. Increasing the N rate to 150 lbs/acre increased forage yields in only one of three years. Considering current input costs for nitrogen fertilizer, the standard 100 lb/acre/cutting nitrogen rate recommended for warm-season bermudagrasses appears to be optimum for production of Tifton 85 on Blackland soils in central Texas.