Solving the Soil Health Puzzle? We Have you Covered. Cover crops are an important piece to soil health and future profit. We know it takes work and is puzzling at times. Soil First® provides quality products plus tips, tools and solutions to help cover crops work for you. As challenges arise, we are ready with the pieces you need to succeed.
CHARACTERISTICS:
Non-Forage Benefits:
1 = Poor; 5 = Excellent
Compaction Alleviation: 3
Weed Suppression: 4
Biomass Production: 4
Erosion Control: 3
Disease/Pest Control: 3
Pollinator/Beneficials: 3
P & K Cycling: 3
Ease of Establishment: 5
Nitrogen Fixer/Scavenger: Scavenger
Nutritional Value:
Values Vary Greatly Depending on Maturity
Crude Protein: 14
NEL¹ Mcal/lb.: –
ADF%²: 23
NDF%³: 22
TDN: 78
DM Tons/Acre: 2-5
Days to First Harvest: 35-40
Days to Next Harvest: 25-30
¹- Net Energy for Lactation = Energy available after subtracting digestive and metabolic losses
²- Acid Detergent Fiber = Low values mean more digestible
³- Neutral Detergent Fiber = Low values mean cows can eat more
Ranking (Good, Better, Best):
Graze: Best
Baleage: Better
Chop: Good
SEEDING:
Planting Time:
July-Sept.
Seeding Rate:
Mono (lbs./acre): 4-6
Mix (lbs./acre): 2-3
Forage (lbs./acre): 5-6
Aerial (lbs./acre): 5-6
Seeding Info:
Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio (C:N): 10:1 – 15:1
Seeding Depth (in./with drill): 1/4
Seeds/lb.: 165,000
Bulk Density (lbs./ft.): 44
Aerial Application Rate: 5-6
Germination Soil Temp.: 45 F
USDA Hardiness Zone: 7
Days to Emergence: 4-6
MANAGEMENT:
Considerations
Brassica Crops can cause animal health disorders if not grazed properly. Introduce grazing animals to brassica pastures slowly (usually over 3-5 days). With extremely high forage values, brassicas can cause problems if hungry animals are turned out into predominate brassica pastures. Even though traditional recommendations allow for 2/3, we actually recommend keeping brassicas to under 1/3 of the grazing animal’s diet- always supplement brassicas with dry hay or other grasses (higher in fiber).
Scale 1-9, where 9 = best or most pronounced