Hay
and Forage Grower
reported this winter on research from South Dakota State University that says
many of us are using more seed per acre than marginal yields justify. In this study it was found that seeding rates
as low as 12.5 pounds per acre generated the highest yields, or 9.6 tons of dry
matter per acre over two years, in spite of the study being done under drought
conditions.
For conditions around
the Great Lakes given more water availability, the best yield strategy appears
to be: seed 12 to 16 lbs of alfalfa seed
with 2 lbs of red clover in the establishment year (14 to 18 lbs total). As rumen-efficient beef cows do not need
the energy density of dairy cows (even when lactating), this “pure” alfalfa is
rarely necessary and you can follow this with an overseeding of high energy
grass in the second or third year of stand life. This will aid in maintaining peak yields for
an additional two+ years, resist weed incursions by maintaining a solid
population of desired plant species. It
also creates a system in which your “hay” fields would transition into nice
“mixed specie” fields very useful for grazing.
KF
Synergy X Hydro-Power
Byron Seeds’ “Synergy”
concept is to combine differing types of alfalfas in a mix, (for
example tap root, branch root, sunken crown, creeping root, disease resistant)
that have developed affinity to differing soil types and express different feed
traits which when planted together gives you a better opportunity for seeding
success.
“Hydro-power” already
includes a persistent red clover and has proven ability to tolerate wetter
soils. Leaf to stem ratio is excellent (which was also why seeding rates have
gradually increased: higher yield
varieties gained tonnage from stem weight as well as digestible leaf fiber).
Feeding value
of cover crops
Some seed
companies (owned by chemical companies) are not excited by “cover crop” mixes
being used to regenerate soil structure, capture winter moisture and break pest
cycles. A “yield drag” is being predicted on the
following grain crop. However, utilizing
the green growth as animal feed totally changes that dynamic.
