Successfully Seeding This Year's Forage Crop

Source: Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food

If you are planning to seed forage this spring, the last thing you need is to have a seeding failure.

“Unfortunately, there is no way of guaranteeing that your forage stand will be a success,” says Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food Forage Development Specialist Al Foster, “but there are steps that you can take to remove much of the risk."

It is important to select an adapted forage species or mixture. Use only varieties that are winter-hardy and adapted to your particular soil conditions.

“Ensure you start with a well-prepared seedbed," he says. "The seedbed should be firm below the surface, with a minimum cover of loose soil. The thin layer of loose soil will provide adequate cover for the seed.”

Foster recommends seeding into standing stubble only if the straw has been well spread. Be aware of the possible risks posed by herbicide residues in the soil.

“Another important step is to ensure you seed shallowly. There is probably more seed wasted because of seeding too deep than for any other reason. Keep in mind that an emerging seedling is totally dependent on the food reserves in the seed to get it to the surface and sprout leaves.” Since most forage seeds are relatively small, they won't have enough stored energy to reach the surface if they are planted deep in the soil, he adds.

“The smaller the seed, the shallower the seeding. For most forage crops, aim for less than a one-inch seeding depth. When a cereal cover crop is used, it may be best to seed the cover crop and the forage crop in two separate operations. This way, you can ensure that each crop is placed to its appropriate depth."

If mixing the forage seed with a cover crop, Foster suggests seeding shallowly, even though this may reduce the establishment of the cover crop. Cover crops are not necessary for good forage establishment, but if you use a cover crop, Foster advises reducing the seeding rate to 50 per cent of the normal rate to reduce competition.

Cut for greenfeed, bale and remove the crop as soon as possible. Cut the crop high. This ensures that new seedlings are not defoliated. They will be protected from the wind, and the stubble will catch snow to insulate new seedlings from low winter soil temperatures.

Finally, Foster recommends ensuring the seedbed is free of weeds, especially perennial weeds.

“Weeds will compete heavily with the small, slow-growing forage seedlings. Where weeds become a problem, mowing or chemical weed control measures may be necessary. If the forage is a grass/legume mixture, the number of registered herbicides for weed control is very limited.”

A good rain shortly after seeding is the easiest way to ensure a successful forage stand.

“Unfortunately, mother nature is not always that co-operative," he says. "By taking care to reduce all potential risks when seeding forages—just in case you don’t get the timely rains—you will effectively even out the odds of success.”

For more information, contact:

Allan Foster
Forage Development Specialist
Saskatchewan Agriculture and Food