Establishing a new forage stand takes a lot of care. Whether you’re new to the game or a seasoned grower, a successful forage stand starts with successful planting, so let’s talk about seeding your new forage stand.
Al VanCaeseele, BrettYoung Regional Account Manager (RAM) and Saskatchewan Sales Manager, said a common mistake growers often make when establishing their new forage stand is not ensuring weeds have been managed prior to planting. Forward planning is imperative, especially when it comes to forages. Ideally you should start your weed control plan one to two years prior to seeding to removing perennial weeds and maximize your stand’s productivity.
When planting VanCaeseele said it’s important to seed into a firm seedbed. Seed to soil contact is extremely important, which is why VanCaeseele likes to see growers put the seed in the ground and have in-row packing.
“This gives the forage stand the best chance of establishment,” he said. “There are other options for seeding and they can be equally successful, but that seed to soil contact and packing are crucial for success.”
When it comes to seeding timing, VanCaeseele said there are a few windows growers can consider. He prefers seeding forages in the spring rather than fall, and he said the earlier you can get it done, the better, as you can take advantage of cooler temperatures and early spring moisture.
“This time has easily shown to be the most consistent time to plant a forage stand in terms of successful emergence and establishment,” he said.
Depth of seed placement when seeding your new forage stand is also critical. If you’re following VanCaeseele’s recommendations of seeding early into a firm seedbed, utilizing an air drill will allow you to control the seeding depth.
“My recommendation to growers is to treat it like canola and not seed any deeper than a one centimeter,” said VanCaeseele. “The better a grower can control depth of seeding, the higher the chances of a successful establishment.”
When determining your seeding rate, there are a number of factors to consider — the species being planted, the mix of species, the seed size, how you’re seeding, typical moisture expectations, and special soil considerations. Generally, the plant population and seeding rate increases with soil quality and moisture availability. VanCaeseele said considering each aspect will help growers determine the right seeding rate for their stand.
The BrettYoung forage guide and website have great information on recommended seeding rates, and if you have any questions on seeding rates or any other aspect of planting your new forage stand reach out to your BrettYoung Regional Account Manager.
