COVER CROPS 2022 SEED GUIDE
CONTENTS COVER CROP MIXES
3
KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR A COVER CROP MIX
8
BRASSICAS
10
GRASSES
12
LEGUMES
16
OTHER FORBS
20
CAMELINA: A NEW WINTER-HARDY COVER CROP
21
COVER CROP PERFORMANCE CHART
22
COVER CROP MIXES
NITROMAX CC1
VALUEMAX CC2
WINTERMAX CC3
Diverse Blend for Coverage
High Seeds Per Lb
Winter Hardy & Soil Benefits
Maximize fall soil coverage & green manure production after early-harvested crops like small grains, sweet corn, vegetables, corn silage, or early soybeans.
Diverse combination of small-seeded cover crops to build healthy soils, fix nitrogen, and sequester nutrients.
Our most winter-hardy blend combines the hardiness and aggressiveness of winter rye, the N-fixation potential of hairy vetch, and the deep soil penetration of radishes.
Conventional Mix Components
60% 20% 15% 5%
42% 55% 3%
Spring Small Grain Field Peas TapMaster Radish
60% 20% 15% 5%
Organic Spring Small Grain Organic Field Peas Organic TapMaster Radish Organic Polish Rapeseed
• • • •
Excellent for weed suppression Good scavenger of nutrients Excellent fall growth and biomass Not good fit after full-season grain corn or soybeans due to shortened growing season • Will likely winterkill in Upper Midwest • Inoculate with: Exceed Pea/Vetch
Planting Date Aug. 1 – Sept. 15
Seeding
75-100 lbs/acre at ½” deep. Drill for best results. Avoid aerial application; peas need soil coverage. Pounds 1-299 300-1,999 2,000+
Conventional $0.88/lb $0.76/lb $0.68/lb
Conventional Mix Components
RootMax Annual Ryegrass Berseem Clover TapMaster Radish Dwarf Essex Rapeseed
80% 15% 5%
Organic Mix Components
Organic Mix Components 42% 55% 2% 1%
Conventional Mix Components
Organic $1.04/lb $0.92/lb $0.84/lb
Organic RootMax Annual Ryegrass Organic Crimson Clover Organic TapMaster Radish Organic Polish Rapeseed
Winter Rye Hairy Vetch TapMaster Radish
Organic Mix Components 80% 15% 5%
Organic Winter Rye Organic Hairy Vetch Organic TapMaster Radish
• Annual ryegrass adds biomass & weed competition; clover fixes N; radish breaks up compacted soil; rapeseed provides quick cover • Can establish under shade & crop canopy with adequate moisture; suitable for interseeding into early-season corn • Suitable for grazing in the fall • Not good fit after full-season grain corn or soybeans due to shortened growing season
• Winter-hardy species for excellent biomass and soil coverage in fall & spring • Plant after small grains, vegetables, corn silage, or early soybeans • Can be planted after grain corn or soybeans but hairy vetch/radish growth will be minimal • Winter rye and hairy vetch in this diverse blend reliably winter over in Upper Midwest • Inoculate with: Exceed Pea/Vetch
Planting Date
Planting Date
Last cultivation or Aug. 1 – Sept. 15
Aug. 1 – Oct. 1
Seeding
Seeding
15-20 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill, broadcast, or aerial apply into standing crops in fall or seeding at V6 in corn. Later seeding reduces clover & brassica growth.
50-75 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill, broadcast or aerial.
Pounds
1-299 300-1,999 2,000+
1-299 300-1,999 2,000+
Conventional $1.52/lb $1.40/lb $1.32/lb
Organic $2.48/lb $2.36/lb $2.28/lb
Pounds
Conventional $1.00/lb $0.88/lb $0.80/lb
Organic $1.28/lb $1.16/lb $1.10/lb
All mixes subject to change based on availability.
TO ORDER CALL 800.352.5247 OR VISIT ALSEED.COM
3
COVER CROP MIXES
GRAZEMAX CC4
AERIALMAX CC5
SUMMERMAX CC6
Tonnage for Pennies on the Dollar
Overseed Standing Crops In Early Fall
Maximum Warm-Season Tonnage
Formulated for cost-effective biomass production for fall grazing. Oats produce most fall tonnage in the Upper Midwest. Kale and turnips diversify this blend and provide grazing late into the fall.
Formulated for aerial application into standing corn or soybeans. Mix diversity provides excellent fall/early spring soil coverage.
Vigorous, warm-season mix of summer annual grasses, broadleaves, and legumes for maximum summer growth, weed suppression, and soil building.
Conventional Mix Components 95% Winter Rye 2.5% TapMaster Radish 2.5% Dwarf Essex Rapeseed
Conventional Mix Components
Conventional Mix Components 97% 2% 1%
Oats Purple Top Turnips Kale
• High seeds/lb & low cost make this a good choice for fall forage • Excellent fit after hayfield termination, small grains, sweet corn, or silage corn • Not good fit after full-season grain corn or soybeans due to shortened growing season • Will likely winterkill in the Upper Midwest
• Best results when flown on or applied prior to corn dieback (at or before black layer) or at soybean leaf yellowing before leaf drop • Winter rye reliably over winters, Dwarf Essex rapeseed and radish will likely winterkill
20% 17% 15% 10% 10% 10% 10% 5% 3%
Planting Date
Organic Mix Components
Aug. 1 – Sept. 15
Aug. 1 – Sept. 30. Depending on your hardiness zone, this mix can be planted later than range but later planting will lessen growth of radish and rape.
Seeding
Seeding
Planting Date
75-100 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or broadcast. Pounds 1-299 300-1,999 2,000+
Conventional $0.74/lb $0.62/lb $0.54/lb
50-75 lbs/acre at ½” deep. Drill, broadcast or aerial apply. Time your fly-on with a predicted rain for best establishment success. Pounds
Conventional
1-299 300-1,999 2,000+
$0.64/lb $0.52/lb $0.46/lb
35% 30% 15% 10% 10%
Cowpeas Buckwheat Cover Crop Oats Japanese Millet Mung Beans Sorghum-Sudangrass Sunn Hemp Sunflowers Dwarf Essex Rapeseed
Organic Buckwheat Organic Soybeans Organic Sorghum Sudangrass Organic Blackeyed Cowpeas Organic Cover Crop Oats
• Ideal for summer fallow soil building, prevented planting situations or for summer grazing & forage • Tremendous biomass out competes weeds • Terminate or cut/graze prior to buckwheat and/or sunn hemp flowering • Sunn hemp seed can be toxic to livestock; remove livestock at sunn hemp flowering • Inoculate with: Exceed Cowpea/Sunn Hemp
Planting Date
May 30 – Aug. 15 after risk of frost has passed.
Seeding
40-50 lbs/acre at ½” deep. Drill for best results. Pounds 1-299 300-1,999 2,000+
All mixes subject to change based on availability.
4
ALBERT LEA SEED 2022 COVER CROPS SEED GUIDE
Conventional $1.16/lb $1.06/lb $0.98/lb
Organic $1.34/lb $1.22lb $1.16/lb
MULTIMAX CC7
CULTIVATIONMAX CC8
PLOWDOWN BLEND CC9
Adaptable & Diverse
Get Into Corn
Your Small Grain Companion
Very diverse and cost-effective blend of grasses, legumes, and brassicas. Smaller seed size and high seeds/lb. provide premium return for low cost.
Shade-tolerant blend of organic cover crop species specially formulated for seeding at last cultivation in corn (V5-V6 stage).
Conventional Mix Components
40% 40% 10% 10%
Our most popular cover crop legume mixture for underseeding with small grains. Produces abundant biomass and fixes nitrogen for the following cash crop. Positions your fields well for corn the following year.
45% 15% 25% 4% 3% 4% 4%
Annual Ryegrass Crimson Clover Berseem Clover Ethiopian Cabbage Dwarf Essex Rapeseed TapMaster Radish Purple Top Turnips
• Can establish under shade and crop canopy with adequate moisture • Excellent for seeding into standing crops at V4V6 or in late summer-early fall (time with rain) • Well adapted to all soil types and conditions • Not good fit after full-season grain corn or soybeans due to shortened growing season • Will likely winterkill in the Upper Midwest • Small-seeded legumes are pre-inoculated
Planting Date
Last cultivation; Aug. 1 – Sept. 15.
Seeding
15-20 lbs/acre at ¼" to ½" deep. Drill, broadcast or aerial apply. Pounds 1-299 300-1,999 2,000+
Conventional $1.68/lb $1.56/lb $1.50/lb
Organic Mix Components Organic Annual Ryegrass Organic Mammoth Red Clover Organic TapMasterRadish Organic Polish Rapeseed
Organic Mix Components
• Small-seeded mix for companion planting with corn at last cultivation • Emerges and stays semi-dormant until corn dies back in fall, will not impede growth or harvest of corn • Not recommended for interseeding into soybeans, as canopy is shady • Best suited for medium- to heavy-textured soils; will likely struggle on sandy soils without irrigation • Best establishment achieved when drilled or incorporated vs broadcast • Small-seeded legumes are pre-inoculated
Planting Date
June 1 – July 5, V5-V6/last cultivation will depend on planting date and corn maturity
Seeding
12-15 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Time with rain at seeding. Drill or broadcast. Pounds Organic 1-299 300-1,999 2,000+
$2.60/lb $2.48/lb $2.40/lb
34% 33% 33%
Organic Mammoth Red Clover Organic Yellow Blossom Sweetclover Organic Hardy Alfalfa
• Adapted to varying soil types and field conditions • Excellent fit for underseeding spring small grains or frost seeding into winter small grains • Can fix 50-100+ lbs. N/acre: legumes will be at peak N-fixation potential at flowering in the spring following seeding year • Not a good choice for haying due to potential for sweetclover toxicity • Allow to grow into the following spring for maximum N benefit • Small-seeded legumes are pre-inoculated
Planting Date
Feb. – May; Aug. 1 – Aug. 15
Seeding
12-15 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or broadcast. Pounds Organic 1-299 300-1,999 2,000+
$3.10/lb $2.98/lb $2.90/lb
TO ORDER CALL 800.352.5247 OR VISIT ALSEED.COM
5
COVER CROP MIXES
DIVERSEMAX CC10
FIXNMAX CC11
Everything But the Kitchen Sink
Legume-Heavy for N Surge
Legume Blend Preceding Corn
Our most diverse mix. Maintains vigorous growth over wide range of soils, weather conditions and growing seasons.
Maximize nitrogen fixation with this diverse blend! Best fit after small grains harvest; will complement volunteer small grains.
Three small-seeded legumes with excellent N fixing capabilities.
Conventional Mix Components
Conventional Mix Components
25% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 10% 5% 5% 2.5% 2.5%
25% 25% 15% 15% 15% 5%
60% 20% 20%
• • • • • •
Cover Crop Oats Chickling Vetch Annual Ryegrass Sunn Hemp Berseem Clover Common Vetch Buckwheat Sorghum-Sudangrass Mung Beans TapMaster Radish Dwarf Essex Rapeseed
Warm & cool season species for versatility Plant after small grains, peas or sweet corn Diverse mix for longer planting window Will likely winterkill in Upper Midwest Not a good fit after full- season crops Inoculate with: Exceed Pea/Vetch, Cowpea/ Mung Bean/Sunn Hemp
Planting Date June 1 – Sept. 1
40-50 lbs/acre at ½” to ¾” deep. Drill for best results. Pounds 1-299 300-1,999 2,000+
Field Peas Chickling Vetch Hairy Vetch Lentils Faba Beans TapMaster Radish
Organic Mix Components 50% 30% 15% 5%
Organic Field Peas Organic Lentils Organic Hairy Vetch Organic TapMaster Radish
• Blend of cool season legumes & brassicas for maximum fall N production and retention • Radish for quick establishment & nurse crop • Plant in late summer or early fall following small grains, peas, sweet corn or vegetables • Hairy vetch overwinters; other species will likely winterkill • Inoculate with: Exceed Pea/Vetch
Conventional $1.26/lb $1.14/lb $1.08/lb
Aug. 1 – Sept. 15
60-75 lbs/acre at ½” to ¾” deep. Drill for best results. Conventional
1-299 300-1,999 2,000+
All mixes subject to change based on availability.
ALBERT LEA SEED 2022 COVER CROPS SEED GUIDE
Nitrogen Brand Alfalfa Medium Red Clover Berseem Clover
• Alfalfa and berseem clover will likely winterkill in Upper Midwest: red clover should over winter • Potential for high quality hay cutting in seeding year plus enough regrowth for fall/ spring plowdown. Potential for two cuttings if small grains harvested for hay • Harvesting for forage crop without enough time/moisture for adequate regrowth will limit nitrogen benefit for following crops • Weather conditions will impact growth rate and height of underseeding mix; don’t delay small grain harvest as alfalfa and berseem clover will continue to grow up into plant canopy • Small-seeded legumes are pre-inoculated
Planting Date
Spring-seeded with a small grain
Seeding Pounds
Seeding Pounds
Conventional Mix Components
12-15 lbs/acre drilled at 1/4” to 3/8” deep.
Planting Date
Seeding
6
CORN BUILDER CC12
$1.36/lb $1.24/lb $1.18/lb
Organic $1.50/lb $1.38/lb $1.32/lb
1-299 300-1,999 2,000+
Conventional $3.40/lb $3.28/lb $3.20/lb
POLLINATORMAX CC13 Abundant Floral Resources Fast establishing annual mixture that will attract beneficial insects. Contains a diverse selection of species that will add a splash of color to your farm, while also supporting pollinators and beneficial predator species. Conventional Mix Components 20% 20% 15% 15% 6% 5% 5% 3% 3% 3% 3% 2%
Oats Buckwheat Cowpeas Field Peas Partridge Peas Flax Radish Berseem Clover Crimson Clover Phacelia Sunflowers Rapeseed
• Provides floral resources, habitat and refuge throughout growing season • Drill or broadcast in spring and terminate at end of season • Some species will flower and set seed, requiring management of volunteers in subsequent years • The species included are not known to be invasive, though some (e.g. buckwheat) can become competitive weeds in production fields • For best success, inoculate with Exceed pea vetch, and Exceed Cowpea/Mung Bean/ Sunn Hemp; small-seeded legumes are pre-inoculated • This mix was developed with feedback from the Xerces Society
Planting Date May 15 - June 15
Seeding
40-50 lbs/acre. Drill or broadcast and incorporate. Pounds 1-299 300-1,999 2,000+
Conventional $1.92/lb $1.80/lb $1.72/lb
Albert Lea Seed’s Cover Crop Team (L-R): Matt Helgeson, Elia Romano, Margaret Smith, Theresa Pedretti (team lead), and Matt Leavitt
WE DO CUSTOM BLENDS Couldn't find what you were looking for? Let us make the perfect mix for your farming operation. Give us a call at 800.352.5247 to get started.
TO ORDER CALL 800.352.5247 OR VISIT ALSEED.COM
7
KEY CONSIDERATIONS FOR A
COVER CROP MIX ALBERT LEA SEED CAN HELP YOU DESIGN YOUR OWN COVER CROP BLEND. Theresa Pedretti, Certified Crop Advisor
2. CONSIDER YOUR CURRENT CROP ROTATION AND TIMING OF THE COVER CROP.
1. DETERMINE YOUR MAIN GOALS.
Do you need something to fit between a two-year corn soybean rotation? Or something a bit more complex? Identify the crop rotation to determine available planting and termination windows. A few examples of a simple crop rotation with covers:
Sm Med all G R
C
Cr R y e op
W Cov int e
an
Cr R y e op
r
n
r te W i n v er Co
Co
or
Rye er Crop r
10 x CC x ma rop Mi C
an
be
r te W i n v er o C
Div Coveerse r
Soy
an
a g Pe s in
C
n
ith nw rai Clover d e
Provide pollinator habitat Feed soil microbes Break up soil compaction Produce biomass Quick cover Inter-seed into cash crop
or
• • • • • •
be
Biologically fix nitrogen Scavenge nitrogen Suppress weeds Build soil Control erosion Grazing Improve P & K cycling
Soy
• • • • • • •
n
Cover crops can provide many benefits; take time to consider what your top goals really are. Check the table (pages 22 and 23) to help match cover crop species with your goals. These may include:
Pro ces
Key considerations when creating a blend for your specific farming needs:
Soy
be
3. CONSIDER AVAILABLE PLANTING EQUIPMENT. From aerial application to drilling, the equipment you plan to use will affect seeding rates and species selection. For best results, some species should not be broadcast (e.g. larger-seeded field peas). Placing seed carefully at a consistent depth and uniform spacing will provide higher rates of success than aerial or broadcast applications, though drilling may not always be an option. Keep in mind seed size. The
Cover Crop Species by Seed Size
SMALLEST SEED Very Small Dense Round Seed 400,000 -1,000,000 seeds/lb
Small Dense Round Seed
8
Light Med. Grasses
Med. Dense Round Seed
180,000 140,000 -150,000 400,000 seeds/lb 227,000 seeds/lb seeds/lb
Alsike Clover Berseem Clover Balansa Clover Mustard White Clover Med. Red Clover Winter Camelina Turnip Sweetclover Very Small Dense Round Seed
larger the seed, the fewer seeds/lb. For best seeding results, keep seed sizes similar in mixtures. For mixtures with widely diverse seed sizes, increase the seeding rate, as the average seeding depth for the mix will result in some small seeds placed too deep and some large seeds placed too shallow. A final consideration: can your seeding equipment deliver a widely diverse mix at your desired seeding rate?
Small Dense Round Seed
LARGEST SEED
Large Round Seed
Very Large Round Seed
Large Dense Seeded Grasses
Larger Irregular Seeded Broadleaves
Largest Seeds
40,000 - 80,000 Seeds/seeds/lb
15,000 - 40,000 seeds/lb
9,000 - 20,000 seeds/lb
5,000 - 15,000 seeds/lb
1,400 - 4,200 seeds/lb
Sunn Hemp Sunflowers
Buckwheat
Chickling Vetch Common Vetch Cowpea Faba Bean Field Pea Lupine
Annual Rye Italian Ryegrass
Crimson Clover Ethiopian Cabbage Japanese Millet Kale Rapeseed
Pearl Millet Proso Millet Sudangrass
Forage Sorghum Grain Sorghum Hairy Vetch Radish Sorghum Sudangrass
Barley Oat Triticale Winter Rye
Light Med. Grasses
Med. Dense Round Seed
Large Round Seed
Very Large Round Seed
Large Dense Seeded Grasses
ALBERT LEA SEED 2022 COVER CROPS SEED GUIDE
Larger Irregular Seeded Broadleaves
Largest Seeds
4. SELECT COVER CROP SPECIES. Once goals, rotation, and equipment are determined, it’s onto designing the right mix for your farm. Sometimes a single species, such as winter rye or radish, best suits your goal. Where possible, we prefer mixtures with a bit more complexity. Adding more species increases success across differing soil types, rainfall, fertility levels and climates. Consider planting a diverse mix of species, including from several different plant families:
BRASSICACEAE
FABACEAE
Mustard Family Collards Ethiopian Cabbage Kale Mustard
POACEAE
Legume Family Radish Rapeseed Turnip Winter Camelina
Clover Cowpea Faba Bean
Grass Family
Field Pea Lentil Mung Bean
Sunn Hemp Sweetclover Vetch
Barley Millet Oat
Rye, Cereal Ryegrass Sorghum
AMARANTHACEA
ASTERACEAE
BORAGINACEAE
Goosefoot Family
Sunflower Family
Borage Family
Sugar Beet
Sunflower
Phacelia
LINACEAE
PLANTAGINACEAE
POLYGONACEAE
Flax Family
Plantain Family
Knotweed Family
Flax
Plantain
Buckwheat
SorghumSudangrass Wheat
Give us a call today at 800-352-5247
and we would be happy to help you make a mix for your farm.
TO ORDER CALL 800.352.5247 OR VISIT ALSEED.COM
9
BRASSICAS RADISH
RAPESEED
TAPMASTER DAIKON RADISH
BARSICA FORAGE RAPESEED
• Our signature Daikon variety bred for long taproot to mitigate compaction, sequester nutrients and compete with weeds • Consistent from year-to-year, unlike VNS Radish • Excellent scavenger of N, P & Ca • Non-bolting if planted in the fall • Will likely winterkill in Upper Midwest
• Late-maturing rape with short stems and very large leaves
Seeding
4-7 lbs/acre at ¼" to ½" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
• Produces high-quality forage • Produces much high forage yields than Dwarf Essex • Good as stand alone crop or in mixes of clover, turnips, small grains and other brassicas
Seeding
6-8 lbs/acre at ¼" to ½" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. 50 lb bags 1-5 6-39 40+
Conventional $120/bag $114/bag $109/bag
25 lb bags
Organic
1-11 12-79 80+
$190/bag $184/bag $179/bag
$57.50/bag $54.50/bag $52/bag
DWARF ESSEX RAPESEED*
DAIKON RADISH* • Vigorous taproot accumulates leachable nutrients, protects soil, improves infiltration, and mitigates compaction • Adapted to most soil types • Plants break down completely by spring; no need for fall or spring tillage. • Will likely winterkill in Upper Midwest
Seeding
• • • •
Succulent, leafy & quick-growing Rapid, vigorous growth; low cost, and high seeds/lb Performs better than radishes for aerial application in dry soil conditions Will likely winterkill in Upper Midwest
Seeding
4-7 lbs/acre at ¼" to ½" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
6-8 lbs/acre at ¼" to ½" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
50 lb bags
50 lb bags
1-5 6-39 40+
1-5 6-39 40+
Conventional
Conventional $105/bag $99/bag $94/bag
Conventional $64/bag $58/bag $53/bag
TURNIPS BARKANT FORAGE TURNIP • Improved variety: 50% more dry matter than purple top turnip and almost five times the leaf production • Ideally suited for grazing with sheep and cattle
Seeding
3-5 lbs/acre at ¼" to ½" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. 25 lb bags 1-11 12-79 80+
Conventional $65/bag $62/bag $59.50/bag
PURPLE TOP TURNIPS* • Hardy, leafy, large-rooted; produces biomass above and below ground • Excellent fall grazing potential • Scavenges N and other nutrients which prevents leaching • Should winterkill in Upper Midwest
Seeding
3-5 lbs/acre at ¼" to ½" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. 50 lb bags
Conventional
1-5 6-39 40+
* Variety Not Stated
10
ALBERT LEA SEED 2022 COVER CROPS SEED GUIDE
$100/bag $94/bag $89/bag
PURPLE TOP TURNIP/ POLISH RAPESEED* • Blend of two of our popular brassica species • Two types of root systems make an excellent soil building plow down mix • Excellent for fall grazing
Seeding
4-7 lbs/acre at ¼" to ½" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. 50 lb bags 1-5 6-39 40+
Organic $175/bag $169/bag $164/bag
OTHER BRASSICAS ETHIOPIAN CABBAGE* • • • • •
Open leaf cabbage for cover crop or grazing Deep-growing tap roots reduce soil compaction and break up hardpans Excellent nutrient scavenging ability Outstanding bolt resistance for early fall planting Will likely winterkill in Upper Midwest
Seeding
3-4 lbs/acre at ¼" to ½" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional
$140/50 lb bag
FORAGE COLLARDS* • Unique brassica that will not bolt until undergoing a cold, vernalization period • Will remain vegetative throughout summer months • More shade tolerant than other brassica species
Seeding
6-8 lbs/acre at ¼’’ to ½’’ inch deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional
$150/50 lb bag
Our most cold-tolerant choice for grazing Highly palatable; graze late into fall Frost-tolerant; livestock often prefer kale after freezing Will likely winterkill in Upper Midwest
Seeding
3-4 lbs/acre at ¼" to ½" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. $175/50 lb bag
PASJA FORAGE BRASSICA • • • •
Seeding
15-20 lbs/acre at ½" to ¾" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. 50 lb bags 1-5 6-39 40+
NEW • • • • • •
Conventional $120/bag $114/bag $109/bag
FALL DELIVERY
WINTER CAMELINA
Fall-seeded, winter annual brassica excellent for cover cropping Winter hardiness similar to winter rye; consistently overwinters Excellent nutrient scavenger Can be grown as a cover crop or taken to oilseed harvest in late June Plant after soybean harvest, before corn in crop rotation Seed is small and dense, tends to sort in mixture
6-10 lbs/acre at ¼" to ½" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
FORAGE KALE
Conventional
• Good fit if frost-seeded before soybeans or flown on in fall • Fast growing, potential for smother crop • Control plant at first flower to avoid seed set and unwanted volunteers
Seeding
*
• • • •
YELLOW MUSTARD
Fast-growing, high yield forage brassica Allow 6 weeks to establish, then can be grazed at monthly intervals Great heat and drought tolerance Very palatable
Seeding
Joelle Conventional
ASK
CAMELINA: A NEW WINTER-HARDY COVER CROP Check out page 21 for some great information about winter camelina, including: • Oilseed vs. cover cropping
4-6 lbs/acre at ¼’’ to ½’’ deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
• Mixing with other cover crop species
Conventional
• Conventional vs. organic
$200/50 lb bag
• Considerations for seeding
TO ORDER CALL 800.352.5247 OR VISIT ALSEED.COM
11
GRASSES WINTER CEREAL RYE DANKO WINTER RYE
WINTER RYE* • • • • • • • • •
Most common and most hardy fall-seeded cover crop in northern climates Competes well with weeds; quality forage/green manure in spring Excellent feed value as late-season forage with protein levels up to 18% Well adapted to all soil types including low fertility, acidic, or sandy soils Can plant late into fall (until first snow) but performs best when seeded at least six weeks before freeze up Germinates down to 35°F soil temps Can suppress germination of following crops (esp. small-seeded grasses) Allow terminated rye to decompose for 7-10 days prior to seeding following crop Heavy N and water usage in spring. Terminate early if drought is forecast
Seeding
50-150 lbs/acre at ½" to 1½" deep. Drill or broadcast seed. Conventional Uncertified Organic & Uncertified
ASK ASK
AROOSTOOK WINTER RYE • • • • • •
Early-heading variety currently favored in no-till systems with roller-crimper USDA-selected winter rye variety Good spring recovery & early-season vigor Very tall variety, early maturity (up to a week earlier vs. VNS) Growers observe some tillering after roller-crimping 3 million seeds/acre (130-160 lbs) recommended seeding rate for no-till and roll down systems
Seeding
50-150 lbs/acre at ½" to 1½" deep. Drill or broadcast seed. Conventional Uncertified Organic & Uncertified
NEW
ASK ASK
COVERMAX WINTER RYE
• Bred to maximize the benefits of winter rye as a cover-crop • Outstanding emergence and early biomass growth in the spring • Utilize seeding rates and dates for standard VNS Rye • Not suitable for grain production (contains a trace of winter wheat)
Seeding
50-150 lbs/acre at ½" to 1½" deep. Drill or broadcast seed. Conventional Certified
12
ASK
ALBERT LEA SEED 2022 COVER CROPS SEED GUIDE
• Dual purpose (grain or cover crop) rye developed in Poland • Very winter hardy with good yield and test weight • Feedback shows excellent early-spring growth as a cover crop with good potential in roll down systems
Seeding
50-150 lbs/acre at ½” to 1½” deep. Drill or broadcast seed. Conventional Certified Organic Certified
ASK ASK
HAZLET WINTER RYE • • • •
Popular Canadian variety with no license requirement Excellent yield potential Later maturing Shorter height, good standability
Seeding
50-150 lbs/acre at ½" to 1½" deep. Drill or broadcast seed. Conventional Certified Organic Certified
ASK ASK
ND GARDNER WINTER RYE** • Tall, very early maturing variety bred specifically to replace Aroostook • Excellent winter hardiness. Higher seed yields and similar biomass accumulation to Aroostook • Good candidate for roll-down cover crop use or as a forage crop • NDSU release • Recommended 3 bu/acre seeding rate for no-till and roll down systems
Seeding
50-150 lbs/acre at ½" to 1½" deep. Drill or broadcast seed. Conventional Certified Organic Certified
ASK ASK
OTHER CEREALS KWS ORBIT WINTER BARLEY
SPRING BARLEY
• Best winter survival rating among 28 winter barleys tested across 23 environments in 2019-2020 • New, German 6-row winter barley for feed • Very high yields (avg 124 Bu. across 23 locations in 2019-2020) • Very good standability • Good leaf disease resistance
• An economical small grain option for cover cropping • Excellent for fall forage and grazing
Seeding
Robust Conventional Uncertified Robust Organic Uncertified
30-100 lbs/acre at ½" to 1.5" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional Certified
48-96 lbs/acre at ½" to ¾" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
ASK
WINTER TRITICALE • Cross between wheat and rye • Good yielding forage triticale
Seeding
30-100 lbs/acre at ½" to 1½" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Tulus Conventional Certified Tulus Organic Uncertified
Seeding
ASK ASK
ASK ASK
SPRING OATS* • • • • •
Fast establishing with abundant biomass; competitive with weeds Excellent biomass production and fall forage potential Fibrous root system builds soil structure and captures excess nutrients Easy to control; fits many rotations Oats will winterkill
Seeding
32-96 lbs/acre at ½" to ¾" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Cover Crop Oats Conventional Uncertified Cover Crop Oats Organic Uncertified
ASK ASK
WINTER WHEAT • Offers very good weed suppression when planted early and excellent P and K cycling once established • Easier to manage in the spring than rye as it’s slower to mature, less aggressive, and easier to terminate • Excellent grazing option early. As a cover crop, only need to remove cattle to allow for regrowth adequate for herbicide uptake. For organic growers—keep grazing to make it easier to kill with tillage • Prefers well-drained soils with medium fertility levels • Tolerates heavy, poorly drained soils better than barley or oats • Fibrous root system improves soil tilth
Seeding
30-75 lbs/acre at 1" to 2" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Expedition Conventional Certified Expedition Organic Certified
* Variety Not Stated
ASK ASK
**License Required
TO ORDER CALL 800.352.5247 OR VISIT ALSEED.COM
13
GRASSES RYEGRASSES ANNUAL RYEGRASS* • Most economical grass for cover cropping • Rapid growing with an extensive root system that builds soil structure and holds soil in place • Excellent as green manure or single-year forage crop • Well adapted to heavier soil types • Will likely winterkill in northern zones • May overwinter if planted early, with adequate snow cover or if the winter is mild
Seeding
15-20 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. 50 lb bags
Conventional
1-5 6-39 40+
$48/bag $42/bag $39/bag
Organic $85/bag $80/bag $76/bag
ROOTMAX BRAND ANNUAL RYEGRASS • Consistent winterkill and better weed competition vs. VNS • Variety selected for consistent winterkill in northern hardiness zones; can survive the winter in USDA winter hardiness zone 5 and warmer • Diploid variety selected for increased tillering for faster ground cover in the fall • Extensive roots, excellent nutrient scavenging and good palatability as forage • Good candidate for low-altitude aerial application and well adapted to varying soil types • Can be seeded at last cultivation/V6 or flown on in standing corn or soybeans
Seeding
15-20 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. 50 lb bags
Conventional
1-5 6-39 40+
$55/bag $49/bag $45/bag
GREEN SPIRIT ITALIAN RYEGRASS • Blend of diploid & tetraploid Italian ryegrasses • Combines high sugars, high yield, and leafiness of tetraploids with dense tillering and rapid seedling growth of diploids • Excellent rust resistance • Little to no seed heads during first year
Seeding
15-20 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. 50 lb bags
Conventional
1-5 6-39 40+
* Variety Not Stated
14
ALBERT LEA SEED 2022 COVER CROPS SEED GUIDE
$106/bag $99/bag $94/bag
WARM-SEASON GRASSES JAPANESE MILLET*
OPEN-POLLINATED GRAIN SORGHUM*
• Finer stems than pearl millet or sorghums
• Easier to grow than corn and more drought resistant • Varying height, later maturing • Economical option for wildlife food plot
• When cut before heading, protein ranges from 14-18%
Seeding
• Upright, annual grass with quick growth in adequate moisture and fertility
• Customers report high palatability
Seeding
25-35 lbs/acre at ½" to 1" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional Untreated Organic
$50/50 lb bag $60/50 lb bag
PROSO MILLET* • • • • • •
Fastest-growing millet Easy to hay with fine quality Very little regrowth after cutting for hay Fast maturing; can produce 2-3 tons DM Serves as a catch crop where others have failed Control before heading out to limit volunteers
Seeding
20-30 lbs/acre at ½" to 1" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional Untreated
10-15 lbs/acre at ½" to 1½" deep. Drill for best results. Conventional Untreated
$30/50 lb bag
SORGHUM-SUDANGRASS* • A warm-season hybrid cross between Sorghum & Sudangrass • Fast growing summer annual, excellent weed suppression • Produces large amounts of biomass that can be incorporated into the soil as organic matter • Very little regrowth after cutting for silage • Excellent forage for livestock • Wait to plant until soil is 62°F
Seeding
20-25 lbs/acre at ½" to 1" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional Untreated (Viking 150) Organic Untreated (Viking O-225 BMR)
$44/50 lb bag $85/50 lb bag
$36/50 lb bag
TO ORDER CALL 800.352.5247 OR VISIT ALSEED.COM
15
LEGUMES ANNUAL CLOVERS BALANSA CLOVER* • Cool-season, annual legume with hollow stems • Good biomass accumulation and N-fixation potential • Potential early fall cover crop option after silage corn, small grains or early soybeans • May be grazed as part of mixture • Will likely winterkill in the Upper Midwest • Inoculated with Pre-Vail (OMRI)
Seeding
5-8 lbs/acre at ¼” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional
$145/50 lb bag
BERSEEM CLOVER
*
• Fast-growing annual for quick biomass • Fixes up to 100 lbs N at flowering • Slightly more cold tolerant than crimson: can potentially overwinter but usually winterkills • Excellent early fall cover crop potential after silage corn, small grains or early soybeans • Inoculated with Pre-Vail (OMRI)
Seeding
12-15 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. 50 lb bags
Conventional
1-5 6-39 40+
$130/bag $124/bag $120/bag
FROSTY BERSEEM CLOVER • Multi-cut variety bred for later maturity, cold tolerance, productivity and enhanced forage quality • Aggressive growth; establishes quickly • Good biomass production and can fix 100 lbs N/acre at flowering • No recorded cases of bloat • Usually winterkills but slightly more frost tolerant than crimson clover • Coated with NitroCoat (OMRI)
Seeding
12-15 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. 50 lb bags
Conventional
1-5 6-39 40+
$170/bag $164/bag $160/bag
* Variety Not Stated
16
ALBERT LEA SEED 2022 COVER CROPS SEED GUIDE
CRIMSON CLOVER* • Rapidly growing annual clover • Seed late summer for most biomass accumulation; can also be seeded in spring in the Upper Midwest • Good as a cover crop overseeded into standing crops in the fall or seeded at last cultivation • Behaves as a winter annual in southern U.S. • Will likely winterkill in the Upper Midwest; seeding into September results in less growth before freeze-up • Inoculated with Pre-Vail (OMRI)
Seeding
12-20 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. 50 lb bags 1-5 6-39 40+
Conventional $120/bag $114/bag $110/bag
Organic $160/bag $154/bag $150/bag
PERENNIAL/BIENNIAL CLOVERS MAMMOTH RED CLOVER* • Single-cut red clover most often used as a cover crop • Excellent choice for underseeding small grains in spring, frost seeding into winter grains, or fall seeding into standing crops • Establishes faster and is coarser stemmed than medium red clover • Minimal recovery after cutting. Avoid droughty soils • Inoculated with Pre-Vail (OMRI)
Seeding
8-12 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. 50 lb bags 1-5 6-39 40+
Organic $155/bag $149/bag $145/bag
MEDIUM RED CLOVER* • Double-cut red clover used as cover crop or forage • Recovers better than Mammoth when clipped during small grains harvest or as forage • Finer stemmed and better feed value than Mammoth red clover • Fast establishing and can persist 2-3 years or be used as a one year plow down • Inoculated with Pre-Vail (OMRI)
Seeding
8-12 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. 50 lb bags 1-5 6-39 40+
Conventional $170/bag $164/bag $160/bag
Organic $195/bag $189/bag $185/bag
YELLOW BLOSSOM SWEETCLOVER* • Tall-growing, biennial legume closely related to alfalfa with high biomass and N-fixation potential • Very drought tolerant and very winter-hardy, good scavenger of P, K, and other immobile nutrients • Best plowdown legume for lighter and/or sandy soils • Cut or plowdown before seed set to avoid volunteer weed issues • Can produce 90-170 lbs N/acre
Seeding
8-12 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. 50 lb bags
Conventional
1-5 6-39 40+
$187/bag $180/bag $175/bag
WHITE BLOSSOM SWEETCLOVER* • Tall-growing, biennial legume • Abundant white blossoms and high nectar content for pollinators • Later maturing than yellow blossom sweetclover • Best used for bee forage, N-fixing cover crop (do not use for hay) • Prefers well-drained soils, avoid acidic soils • Can become volunteer weed if allowed to set seed
Seeding
8-12 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional
$240/50 lb bag
WHITE DUTCH CLOVER* • Low-growing clover; good traffic tolerance and persistence • Usable as living mulch in orchards and vegetable gardens • Avoid dry soils • Inoculated with Pre-Vail (OMRI-listed) Conventional
$225/50 lb bag
TO ORDER CALL 800.352.5247 OR VISIT ALSEED.COM
17
LEGUMES PEAS SPRING FIELD PEAS*
AUSTRIAN WINTER FIELD PEAS*
• Leafy forage pea • Best fall planted, winterkilled legume option for biomass accumulation and N-fixing potential
Seeding
75-150 lbs/acre at 2" to 3" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. 4010 Conventional CDC Organic (5% splits)
• • • •
Use similar to spring field pea in cover crop mixes Potential to provide 50-100 lbs nitrogen/acre at full flowering Withstands temps as low as 10°F with minor injury Can overwinter in USDA winter hardiness zone 6 and warmer
Seeding
60-75 lbs/acre at 2" to 3" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
$37/50 lb bag $34/50 lb bag
Conventional
$38/50 lb bag
VETCHES NEW
MN VINTER HAIRY VETCH
FALL DELIVERY
HAIRY VETCH*
• New release from University of Minnesota hairy vetch breeding program • Selected for superior winter hardiness in northern climates • Excellent fall & spring growth potential; selected specifically for maximum biomass as a cover crop • Reduced hard seed percentage vs. VNS Hairy Vetch results in less weedy habit • Excellent winter survival in small plot trials and seed increases in 2019-2020
• • • • • •
Seeding
20-30 lbs/acre at ½" to 1" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
25-30 lbs/acre at ½" to 1" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional
ASK
Fast growing, winter annual legume; best fall-planted for N fixation Viny plant type with exceptional biomass Improves soil structure, scavenges P, and competes against early season weeds Seed in mid to late August in Upper Midwest for best overwintering Plant with companion crop (rye, oats, etc.) to increase chance of winter survival Produces hard seed; control plant before seed set. Do not seed into small grains if harvesting for marketable grain: seed is difficult to separate
Seeding
50 lb bags 1-5 6-39 40+
Conventional $130/bag $124/bag $119/bag
Organic ASK ASK ASK
COMMON VETCH* • Viny legume; annual in Upper Midwest with compound leaves and pea-like flowers • Good growth for cover cropping if seeded early in the fall, excellent candidate for aerial application • Less winter hardy than hairy vetch, will likely winterkill in Upper Midwest
Seeding
50-60 lbs/acre at ½" to 1" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional
$64/50 lb bag
CHICKLING VETCH* • • • •
Viny, spring-seeded, used for plowdown and N production Frost and drought tolerant, high moisture efficiency 8-10 weeks of growth can produce 80-100 lbs N/acre Can cut for forage; do not feed seed to livestock
Seeding
60-70 lbs/acre at ½" to 1" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional
18
ALBERT LEA SEED 2022 COVER CROPS SEED GUIDE
$54/50 lb bag
OTHER LEGUMES BLACKEYED COWPEAS* • • • • • • •
Warm-season legume Selection of cowpea with upright, bush-type growth Excellent tolerance to sandy soils and droughty conditions Well suited to all soil types and a wide range of pH Less overall biomass than Iron and Clay cowpeas in southern zones Plant in summer at soil temp >65°F Seed & biomass is toxic to horses
Seeding
NEW • • • •
MUNG BEANS*
Warm-season annual Excellent heat and drought tolerance Good nitrogen fixer and can be grazed Best adapted to sandy loam soils and dry conditions
Seeding
15-20 lbs/acre at 1” to 2” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional
$63/50 lb bag
60-75 lbs/acre at ½” to 1” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Organic
$74/50 lb bag
IRON & CLAY COWPEAS • • • • • •
*
Vigorous growing warm-season legume Thrives in hot, wet conditions Excellent drought stress tolerance; can fix up to 150 lbs N/acre Ready to plowdown 60-90 days after planting Plant in summer at soil temp >65°F Seed & biomass is toxic to horses
Seeding
50-75 lbs/acre at ½” to 1” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional
$52/50 lb bag
SUNN HEMP* • Tall-growing, warm-season annual legume with tremendous biomass and N-fixing capacity • Quick growing, very heat and drought tolerant; has the potential to put on over 5,000 lbs. of biomass in 60 days. Thrives on poor soils • Plant when soil temperatures are >65°F. Requires same inoculant as cowpeas • Young stems and leaves are very rich in protein, initial growth is excellent for grazing • Stop grazing when plants began to flower; flowers and seed can be toxic to livestock
Seeding
15-20 lbs/acre at ½” to 1” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional
$80/50 lb bag
FABA BEANS* • • • • • • • •
Tall, bushy annual thrives in cool & wet soils Not tolerant to heat & drought Somewhat frost tolerant Can produce 3.5-6 tons/A DM Can fix up to 140 lbs N/acre Large taproot breaks up compaction Large seed; slow to emerge - plant early Use for silage/hay; good forage quality
Seeding
100-150 lbs/acre at 1” to 3” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional
NEW • • • • •
$44/50 lb bag
LENTILS—SMALL-SEEDED BLACK*
Short-growing, cool season legume Very good drought and frost tolerance Smaller seed size ideal for aerial application into standing crops Will winterkill in Upper Midwest Suited for all soil types including dry soil
Seeding
40-50 lbs/acre at ½” to 2” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional Organic
$53/50 lb bag $64/50 lb bag
* Variety Not Stated
DON'T FORGET THE INOCULANT! We recommend inoculating all cover crop legumes, especially if that species has never been planted on your farm.
Available Inoculants • • • • • •
Alfalfa & Clover Birdsfoot Trefoil Cowpea & Sunn Hemp Lupine Pea & Vetch Sainfoin
TO ORDER CALL 800.352.5247 OR VISIT ALSEED.COM
19
OTHER FORBS FLAX* • • • • •
Member of the Linaceae plant family Annual, cool-season broadleaf Fairly drought tolerant Flowers attract pollinators Best planted with small seeded grasses and legumes
Seeding
25-50 lbs/acre at ¾” to 1½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
BUCKWHEAT*
50 lb bags
• Member of the Polygonaceae plant family • Quick-growing, broadleaf summer annual ready to incorporate in 35 to 45 days • Potential for multiple plantings per year: grain crop in 70 to 90 days • Competitive with tough weeds like giant ragweed and Canada thistle • Residue breaks down rapidly • Mellows soil, breaks up surface compaction • Excellent scavenger of P and other nutrients • Thrives on nutrient-deficient soils • Sensitive to frost, drought, excessive heat and any carryover herbicides • Easy to terminate; terminate at first sign of flowering to avoid volunteer weeds
Seeding
50-100 lbs/acre at ½” to 1½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. 50 lb bags
Conventional
1-9 bags 10-39 bags 40-199 bags 200+ bags
$57/bag $54/bag $51/bag $49/bag
* Variety Not Stated
Organic $57/bag $54/bag $51/bag $49/bag
Conventional
1-5 6-39 40+
$100/bag $75/bag $68/bag
Organic ASK ASK ASK
SUGAR BEET* (NON-GMO) • Member of the Amaranthacea plant family • Dual purpose plant with its large taproot and abundant top growth for forage • Can tolerate saline soils better than other species • Cool-season crop grows late into the fall • Winterkills north of I-70 • To maximize taproot growth, requires 60-90 growing days before freeze • Best used in a mix
Seeding
3-5 lbs/acre at 1” to 1¼” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional
$250/50 lb bag
PHACELIA* • Member of the Boraginaceae plant family • Annual broadleaf with fern-like leaves and purple blossoms • Provides early-season soil coverage and produces abundant flowers attractive to pollinators • Flowers 6-8 weeks after emergence • Will winterkill at 18°F and residue breaks down quickly • Plant early enough in the fall • Avoid broadcasting/aerial application • Establish 6-8 weeks before killing frost
Seeding
3-5 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed. Conventional
$240/50 lb bag
PEREDOVIK SUNFLOWER* • Member of the Asteraceae plant family • Fast-growing summer annual broadleaf for weed suppression • Extensive root system to break up compaction • Attractive flowers for pollinators • Very tall providing a large amount of biomass back into the soil to increase soil organic matter
Seeding
7 lbs/acre at 1” to 3½” deep. Drill for best results. Conventional
20
ALBERT LEA SEED 2022 COVER CROPS SEED GUIDE
$44/50 lb bag
CAMELINA: A NEW WINTER-HARDY COVER CROP MARGARET SMITH, PHD, ALBERT LEA SEED AGRONOMIST Camelina (Camelina sativa) is a winter-annual in the brassica family—closely related to canola—and is as winter hardy as cereal rye. In the field, it looks similar to field pennycress.
OILSEED VS. COVER CROPPING Camelina has been grown in Europe for 3,000 years as an oilseed crop. Oil yields aren’t high, but the quality is. Camelina can’t compete with soybeans as a full-season oilseed crop, but the University of Minnesota has been researching its capabilities as a double crop, grown between corn and soybeans. At this time, the market for camelina oil is limited. Cover cropping is a great use for camelina. An ideal planting window is following soybeans before a corn crop, but this isn't the only viable window.
MIXING WITH OTHER COVER CROP SPECIES You can mix camelina with rye or other cover crop species, but we are not certain yet of the best ratios of species to include in mixes. Farmers are doing a lot of experimentation with this new cover.
CONVENTIONAL VS. ORGANIC Camelina is equally suited for conventional and organic farms. The root structure is much smaller than that of rye, and it easily terminated with tillage, 2,4-D, or glyphosate.
CONSIDERATIONS FOR SEEDING CAMELINA 1. Camelina, once established, is as cold-hardy as rye, but it can’t be seeded in as wide a planting window. Seeding too late in the fall can result in minimal fall growth and winterkill. Seed by: • October 10-15 in central Minnesota • October 20-25 in southern Minnesota • November 10 in northern Iowa (later planting at this latitude—into the first week of December—did not survive the winter) 2. Biomass production capability with an early November planting date in Northern Iowa was 4,000 lbs/A (at May 12 flowering in 2021). Biomass accumulation will be less if terminated before flowering. 3. Seed is small, so there’s good value for your dollar. 4. It can be drilled or aerially seeded with a spinner, highboy, or drone. Due to the small seed size, the seed pattern may be irregular if dropped from an airplane. 5. The recommended seeding rate is 6 lbs/A drilled or 9-10 lbs/A aerially applied.
TO ORDER CALL 800.352.5247 OR VISIT ALSEED.COM
21
COVER CROP PERFORMANCE
Other Forbs
Cool Season Warm Season
Poaceae
(Grass Family)
Fabacea
(Legume Family)
Brassicaceae
(Mustard Family)
Seeding Rate
22
Species Name (Variety Name) Camelina, Winter Ethiopian Cabbage Kale, Forage Mustard, Brown (Pacific Gold) Mustard, Yellow Radish, Daikon Radish, Oilseed (Carwoodi) Rapeseed Turnip, Purple Top Clover, Balansa Clover, Berseem Clover, Crimson Clover, Mammoth Red Clover, Medium Red Cowpea Faba Bean Lentil Mung Bean Pea, Spring Field Pea, Winter Field Sunn Hemp Sweet Clover, Yellow Blossom Vetch, Chickling (A/C Greenfix) Vetch, Common Vetch, Hairy Barley, Spring Barley, Winter Oat, Spring Oat, Winter (Cosaque Black) Rye, Cereal Winter Rye, Hybrid Cereal (KWS Progas) Ryegrass, Annual Ryegrass, Italian Triticale, Winter Wheat, Winter Millet, Japanese Millet, Proso Sorghum, Grain Sorghum-Sudangrass Buckwheat Flax Phacelia Sugarbeet Sunflower
Recommended Seeding Date
Seeding Depth (inches)
Predicted Hardy thru USDA Zone
Lifecycle
400,000
Sep–Oct
¼–½
3
Winter Annual
1-2
144,000
Mar–May, Jul–Sept
¼–½
ID
Annual
1-2
144,000
Mar–May, Jul–Sept
¼–½
6*
Annual
20-25
3-5
180,000
Feb–Apr, Aug–Sept
¼–¾
ID
Annual
15-20
20-25
3-5
180,000
Feb–Apr, Aug–Sept
¼–¾
ID
Annual
6-8
8-9
2-3
25,000
Aug–Sept
¼–½
6*
Annual
6-8
8-9
2-3
25,000
Aug–Sept
¼–½
ID
Annual
4-7
7-9
1-2
145,000
Mar–May, July–Sept
¼–½
6*
Annual
3-5
5-6
1-2
220,000
Mar–May, July–Sept
¼–½
4*
Biennial
Drilled
Broadcast/ Aerial
6
(lbs/acre)
In Mix
(lbs/acre)
Approx. Seeds/lb
10
1-2
3-4
4-5
3-4
4-5
15-20
(lbs/acre)
(Southern MN)
5-8
6-9
2-3
500,000
Mar–May, July–Sept
¼
5
Annual
12-15
15-20
2-5
200,000
Mid May–Aug
¼–½
7
Annual
12-20
25-30
2-5
150,000
June–Sept
¼–½
6*
Annual
8-12
15-18
2-5
272,000
Feb–May, Aug
¼–½
4
Biennial Perennial
8-12
15-18
2-5
272,000
Feb–May, Aug
¼–½
4
50-75
NR
25-35
2,000-4,000
June–Aug
½–1
NFT
Annual
100-150
NR
25-50
1,400
Mar–Apr, Aug–Mid Sept
1–3
ID
Annual
40-50
60-75
20-30
12,000-19,000
Mar–May, July–Sept
½–2
ID
Annual
15-20
NR
4-8
12,000
Late May–Aug
1-2
NFT
Annual
75-150
NR
25-75
2,000-3,000
Mar–May, Aug–Sept
2–3
ID
Annual
60-75
NR
25-50
3,000-4,000
Aug–Sept
2–3
6
Annual
15-20
NR
4-8
11,000
June–Aug
½–1
NFT
Annual
8-12
15
2-5
259,000
Feb–May, Aug
¼–½
3-4
Biennial
60-70
NR
20-40
2,600
Mar–May
1 – 1½
NA
Annual
50-60
70-80
25-30
4,200
Aug–Sept
½ –1
8
Annual
25-30
35-40
10-15
16,000
Aug–Oct
½–1
4-5*
Winter Annual
48-96
72-120
24-48
14,300
Mar–May, Aug–Sept
½–¾
7
Annual
48-96
72-120
24-48
8,000-14,000
Aug–Sept
½–1
6
Winter Annual
32-96
48-96
16-48
14,500-18,500
Mar–May, Aug–Sept
½–¾
8
Annual
40-60
60-75
20-50
15,000
Aug–Sept
½–1
ID*
Winter Annual
56-168
56-168
25-75
18,000
Aug–Nov
½ – 1½
2-3
Winter Annual
800,000 PLS
NR
NR
15,000-20,000
Mid Aug–Sept
½–¾
2-3
Winter Annual
15-20
25-30
4-5
227,000
Mar–May, Aug–Sept
¼–½
6
Annual
15-20
25-30
4-5
227,000
Mar–May, Aug–Sept
¼–½
5-6*
Winter Annual
30-100
60-120
15-40
15,000
Aug–Early Oct
½ – 1½
4-5*
Winter Annual
30-75
60-90
15-40
11,000-15,000
Aug–Early Oct
1–2
5*
Winter Annual
25-35
35-50
5-15
145,000
Late May–July
½–1
NFT
Annual
20-30
30-45
5-15
80,000
Late May–July
½–1
NFT
Annual
10-15
NR
5-10
15,000
Late May–July
½ – 1½
NFT
Annual
20-25
30-50
5-10
18,000
Late May–July
½ –1
NFT
Annual
50-100
100
15-25
15,000
May–Aug
½ – 1½
NFT
Annual
25-50
NR
5-10
80,000
May, Aug–Early Sept
¾ – 1½
8
Annual
3-5
7
1-2
220,000
Aug–Sept
¼–½
9
Annual
3-5
5-7
1-2
10,000
Apr–Aug
1 – 1¼
ID
Biennial
7
NR
3-5
5,000-7,000
Apr–Aug
1 – 3½
NFT
Annual
ALBERT LEA SEED 2022 COVER CROPS SEED GUIDE
SEEDING RATE: NR = Not Recommended
COVER CROP GOALS & TOLERANCES:
PREDICTED HARDY: ID = Insufficient Data • NFT = Not Frost Tolerant Highly variable on winter growing conditions, planting date, snow cover, etc
*
Excellent
Very Good
Good
Cover Crop Goals Potential Total Above Ground Biomass Weed N Fixation Production Suppression (Lbs/A/Yr)
Erosion Control
Quick Establishment
Fair
Poor
Insufficient Data
Tolerances Cash Crop Interseed
Grazing Potential
Provide Pollinator Habitat
Drought
Heat
Saturated Soil
Shade
50-100 55-100 50-90 70-150 70-150 50-100 50-140
ID
5-20
ID 50-100 50-100 100-140
ID
90-170 5-70 5-50 20-180 -
TO ORDER CALL 800.352.5247 OR VISIT ALSEED.COM
23
TO ORDER CALL 800.352.5247 OR VISIT ALSEED.COM
1414 W Main St, PO Box 127, Albert Lea, MN 56007
WE MAKE IT EASY TO BUY OUR SEED,
NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE.
Through Us
Through a Dealer
Call us at 800-352-5247 or visit alseed.com to place your order. We can ship your seed anywhere in the United States.
Place an order through one of our dealers, and we'll ship your seed to them. To find a dealer near you, visit alseed.com/find-a-dealer.
