The new approaches to seeding hay stands and pastures

Most farmers know that the best field of corn you ever raise follows termination of a multi-year alfalfa (or grass + clover) hay field or pasture.    Nitrogen nodules on alfalfa and clover roots gives the corn plant a head start and the reserves of fertility from the recycling of organic matter (root systems) feeds the ear later.

When you have livestock, nothing feeds them cheaper than good hay and pastures

There comes the time when you need to rotate back into hay and/or pasture to restore soil structure (water holding capacity and recovery from compaction).     Alfalfa became preferred because of dairy cow and horse demand, was the focus of seed breeding for a time, but has declined as No-till and Round Up made growing row crop corn and soybean more “convenient”.

Byron Seeds remains focused on crops for animal feeding.    Thus they are maintaining alfalfa availability from independent growers as the chemical company brands lose interest.

Synergy X alfalfa blends are the innovation Byron has brought to alfalfa hay and haylage systems and are proving most cost-effective because the combining of alfalfa types leads to longer stand life.    No matter your soil profile, there is diversity in that Synergy bag that will thrive;  lowered risk of failed stands, better winter survival than depending on a single chosen alfalfa variety.

All four “Synergy” mixes are compatible with the practice of overseeding high energy grass into established stands (which also profitably extends stand life)  and in the Beef feeding world, this makes the sort of hay / haylage / balage that best fits low-cost reproduction and rate of gain.

     So what about the “nurse crop” for a spring seeding?
Oats are the traditional choice.    Why?    Because you get more straw, and when left to grain, grandad got “free” oats to feed the horses.   

However, recent comparison studies show that modern high-yield-potential Alfalfa varieties get stunted by Oat exudates in the young seedling stage.    In searching out alternatives, Byron has tested seedling vigor with varieties of Barley, Triticale, Wheat, Ryegrass, as well as forage oats.

Are you wanting to get feed volume out of your spring nurse crop in the seeding year?
Pick a Spring season variety of the above.   Harvest green as forage, leaving stubble protection.

Are you wanting to suppress weeds in your spring seeded stand, waiting to fall for first harvest?
Pick a Fall season variety of the above, which slows down its growth as the summer warms up.