Agriculture : News
DATE: February 26, 2010
HARDIN COUNTY COOPERATIVE EXTENSION SERVICE
201 Peterson Drive
Elizabethtown, Kentucky 42701-9370
BY: Doug Shepherd
County Extension Agent for Agriculture and Natural Resources
Spring Seedlings:
There have been several questions the past couple of weeks on spring seeding times and rates. The best source of information on these two requests is the University of Kentucky Agronomy Publication, AGR-18, “Grain and Forage Crop Guide”, which is free for the asking at the Hardin County Extension Office and is available online at www.hardinext.org.
Recommendations on spring seedings for grasses (tall fescue, bluegrass, orchardgrass, and timothy) is mid-February through the middle of April. Annual Ryegrass seedings should begin later, on March 15 with Perennial Ryegrass even later with seeding not recommended before mid-April. Both types of ryegrass seedings should be completed by mid-May.
Seeding rate varies by grass species and also depends on whether or not the forage is being sown as a “straight-stand” or mixed with other forage crops. Typically seeding rates are decreased about a third when mixed stands are established, but again that depends on the species being sown. Seeding rates range from 6 to 30 pounds per acre for grasses with timothy having the lowest per acre rate and ryegrass the highest.
Those producers sowing fescue are urged to consider using a non- or low-endophyte variety or one of newer novel-endophyte varieties in order to improve animal performance. UK also annually publishes variety trial test results on the most commonly grown forages in Kentucky.
But legumes are what most producers are interested in sowing this time of year, to improve hay and pasture quality. These include alfalfa, clovers, lespedezas, and crown vetch. The general seeding date for these begins on February 1st -15th for all the clovers, and annual lespedeza. For alfalfa and perennial lespedeza that date is March 15, and for crown vetch it’s April 1st. Generally all these legumes should be sown by mid-April except for crown vetch which can be sown through the middle of May. Here too seeding rates per acre vary quite a bit by specie and whether or not the legume is sown in a mixture. In most cases legumes need to be inoculated so they produce nodules and are able to “fix” nitrogen.
Seeding depth for all these forages is quite shallow, in most cases only a quarter of an inch, and a half-inch at the most. All new seedings require a good firm seedbed, except for the clovers. They can be overspread on grass pasture and hay fields that have been grazed or mowed off close to the ground to lessen competition. Natural freezing and thawing, as well as snow and rain can help incorporate clover seed into the ground for germination. Cattle can also be used to tramp clover seed into soft, damp soils. And of course, mechanical seeders both those that seed by non-till and conventional methods can be used.
According to survey data shared recently at the Kentucky Cattlemen’s Association Annual Convention, 34% of Kentucky farmers seed clover as a hay crop and 42% seed clover in their pasture fields. Frost seeding at 46% is the most popular way clover is seeded, followed by no-till at 32% and conventional at 22%. The benefits of seeing clover include: improved forage quality, reduces the need for nitrogen fertilization, reduces the effect of endophyte fescue and improved yield and animal performance.
It’ll cost you approximately $25.00 per acre for seed and application costs to seed clover into a hay or pasture field plus any additional fertilizer or lime that may be needed. If you put some economic numbers to the benefits of clover this is what you can expect in return: two to three tons additional yield of hay per acre which can amount to $70 to $175 per acre. Twenty five to fifty pounds of additional weaning weight per calf which is another $25 to $50. A 10% to 20% increase in conception rate which translates into more calves born at $500.00 per weaned calf. And you can reduce your nitrogen fertilization by some $25 to $75 per acre. So with all things considered, renovating pasture fields with clover makes good economic sense.
Remember to always use certified seed of improved varieties that are recommended for Kentucky growing conditions. Again UK’s annual Forage Variety Trial
Results are the best place to obtain a complete list of recommended varieties.
Educational programs of the Kentucky Cooperative Extension Service serve all people regardless of race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin or disability.
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