Forage Establishment Dr. Ray Smith and Dr. Garry Lacefield Forage Extension Specialists University of Kentucky

Establishment Basics Site SelectionSite Selection Soil Fertility and FertilizationSoil Fertility and Fertilization Seedbed PreparationSeedbed Preparation Seeding OperationSeeding Operation New Stand ManagementNew Stand Management Site SelectionSite Selection Soil Fertility and FertilizationSoil Fertility and Fertilization Seedbed PreparationSeedbed Preparation Seeding OperationSeeding Operation New Stand ManagementNew Stand Management

Site Selection

Address Soil Fertility Soil Test!Soil Test! LimeLime PhosphorousPhosphorous PotassiumPotassium Minor nutrientsMinor nutrients Discuss practical fertilization.Discuss practical fertilization. Soil Test!Soil Test! LimeLime PhosphorousPhosphorous PotassiumPotassium Minor nutrientsMinor nutrients Discuss practical fertilization.Discuss practical fertilization.

Maintain Phosphorus and Potassium

Maintain Correct Soil pH

Not Inoculated Inoculated

PlantingPlanting Seed Treatments and Flow Rate Lime Coatings Increase Flow Rate of SeedLime Coatings Increase Flow Rate of Seed Amount Varies by Coating Manufacturer and Drill TypeAmount Varies by Coating Manufacturer and Drill Type Range of Increase Measured was 17 to 33% for ‘Tye’-type SeederRange of Increase Measured was 17 to 33% for ‘Tye’-type Seeder Lime Coatings Increase Flow Rate of SeedLime Coatings Increase Flow Rate of Seed Amount Varies by Coating Manufacturer and Drill TypeAmount Varies by Coating Manufacturer and Drill Type Range of Increase Measured was 17 to 33% for ‘Tye’-type SeederRange of Increase Measured was 17 to 33% for ‘Tye’-type Seeder

Seeding Rate He who sows sparingly shall also reap sparingly AGR-18 Forage Pocket Guide

Seeding Date Spring –Legumes Fall –Grasses AGR-18

Seedbed Preparation Prepared seedbed No-till + herbicide Broadcasting Prepared seedbed No-till + herbicide Broadcasting

Seedbed: Fine and Firm

Seeding Depth Shallow! ¼ to ½ inch

Broadcast Seedings Good for clover (Frost seeding especially) The more bare ground, the better Outside force is necessary –Freezing and Thawing –Cattle traffic No for Alfalfa (unless prepared seedbed and cultipacking afterwards).

Residue Reduction and Sod Suppression

graze close before seeding

Clover vs. Alfalfa Frost Seeding

CONTROLLING COMPETITION After Germination

Maximizing Success With Broadcast Clover Seedings Get soil fertility levels up –Especially P and pH Hold back existing grass Show some dirt! Get seed out when there are still 4 to 6 weeks of night temperature below 32 degrees. –Mid-February good goal Manage grass competition after emergence Get soil fertility levels up –Especially P and pH Hold back existing grass Show some dirt! Get seed out when there are still 4 to 6 weeks of night temperature below 32 degrees. –Mid-February good goal Manage grass competition after emergence

No-Till Generally always better than ‘frost seedings” Killed sod needed for alfalfa Clovers can be drilled into overgrazed sod with success Drill setup is crucial

No-Till Drill More effort and attention to detail More consistent results –putting seed in contact with soil Can be successful in spring or fall

Best method for alfalfa and grasses Suppress sod and reduce residue Calibrate drill prior to seeding Check and recheck seeding depth –don’t take somebody’s word –seeding depth should never be deeper than 1/2” –general rule: if you can’t see a little seed along slit, then you are going too deep Control competition after seeding

Sod Suppression with Herbicide for Alfalfa and Grasses Sod Suppression with Herbicide for Alfalfa and Grasses

Traditional Spray/Smother/Spray Approach

Double Roundup Application

Alfalfa into Fescue Sod Alfalfa Into Suppressed Fescue Sod: Green County Gramoxone – 1.7 pt/acre mid March Gramoxone – 1.0 pt/acre early April Seeded alfalfa within a few days of last spray.

Roundup Ready Alfalfa

Minimum Tillage Graze pasture hard to reduce residue Disturb 40-60% of the sod –light disking, field cultivator or other tillage implement Broadcast seed or use conventional drill Cultipack to get good soil-seed contact Control competition –grazing or clipping

Livestock Seeding Feed seed to livestock –legumes work better than grass Stands not uniform –4 day rotation it takes 4-5 years to get 1 manure pile/yd 2 Germination high on pat, actual establishment can be low –roots do not penetrate soil Seed inoculation is difficult

Don’t Overgraze New Seedlings

Allow stands to get established before heavily used

Reasons Why Seedings Fail Adverse Weather Competition Poor Seedbed Preparation Poor Seeding Techniques Low Quality Seed Unadapted Varieties Adverse Weather Competition Poor Seedbed Preparation Poor Seeding Techniques Low Quality Seed Unadapted Varieties Seedling Diseases Insects Failure to Inoculate Low Soils and Fertility Poor Physical Conditions of Soil Grazing New Seedings Early/Excessively Seedling Diseases Insects Failure to Inoculate Low Soils and Fertility Poor Physical Conditions of Soil Grazing New Seedings Early/Excessively