MEET THE SCHULTZES
SCHULTZ FAMILY FARMS•WELLS, MINNESOTA
Steve and Connie Schultz began transitioning their fifth-generation family farm to organic in 2013. Today they’re 100 percent organic with a robust rotation that includes corn, sweet corn, black beans, wheat, winter triticale, oats, rye, peas, and a variety of different cover crops.
The biggest impact moving to organic has had on their farm is the soil quality. Their organic matter scores have gone from 3-3.5, on average, to 4.5-5.5. All built through a healthy mix of cover crops, manure, and a diverse rotation.
Connie caught our eye with her exceptional photography skills, showcasing how they’ve integrated cover crops into their organic system.
TOP (L-R): K-9 crop inspector Oli; Connie and Steve with daughter Kendra (not pictured: sons Dustin and Derick); K-9 crop inspector Rebel
BOTTOM: A Krause Excelerator vertical tillage system, coupled with a Unverferth crumbler. The Schultzes use this implement to slow down the rye growth and incorporate nutrients into the soil.
WINTER GRAINS COVER CROPS
WE MAKE IT EASY TO ORDER, NO MATTER WHERE YOU ARE.
ORDER THROUGH OUR DEALER NETWORK
Work with one of our dealers to place your order and have your seed shipped to them. To find a dealer near you, visit alseed.com/dealer-locator.
ORDER DIRECTLY THROUGH US
Call us at 800.352.5247 or visit alseed.com to place your order. We can ship your seed directly to you anywhere in the United States, or we can ship your order to one of our dealers.
RETURN POLICY
We will cheerfully accept returns of winter grain and cover crop seed up to 30 days after purchase. Customer is responsible for return cost(s). After 30 days a $3/bag restocking charge will apply.
We will not accept returns of:
• Custom mixtures
• Opened, wet, dirty, unsaleable or damaged bags of seed
• Inoculant
REPLANT POLICY
If you experience an early-season crop loss in fields planted with seed purchased from us, you may be eligible for replant seed at half-price.
We will provide replant seed of the same species for half of the full retail price or replant seed of a different species for half of the value of the replant or original planted seed (whichever is lower).
We will not warranty alfalfa or cool-season forage grass seed planted between June 1 and August 1, and we do not provide any replant discount for winter-killed seed of any kind.
WINTER WHEAT
Winter wheat is a versatile species that can be used for grain, straw, and as a cover crop to break weed and pest cycles. A 12-year University of Illinois study found that winter wheat added as a third rotational crop to a corn-soybean rotation boosted corn yields by 10 bushels/acre and soybeans by 5 bushels/acre. Winter wheat provides an excellent window for seeding cover crops after grain harvest.
Best Use
Adaptations
Grain, Cover Crop, Forage Most soil types; avoid very poorly drained soils
Planting Date
Sept. 10 – Oct. 10 in southern MN (date range will change as you move north or south)
Requirements
• Winter wheat needs sufficient available N (and other nutrients) to support the yield target. Many conventional producers split-apply N for a total of 1.5-2.5 units per bu of yield target.
• Avoid planting winter wheat on corn ground or wheat stubble because it increases the risk of fusarium head blight (scab).
• If wheat must follow corn or corn silage, remove or bury the corn residue to reduce risk of fusarium infection.
• Planting past optimum seeding date increases the risk of winterkill and reduces yield.
• Seeding too early can result in excessive fall growth, making plants more vulnerable to winterkill and acts as a green bridge for pests.
• Watch herbicide rotation restrictions.
Seeding
100-140 lbs/acre drilled 1" to 2" deep
Optimum final stand is 900,000-1,000,000 plants/acre
Numeric ratings are relative compared to other varieties within each type of winter wheat (Hard Red Winter or Soft Red Winter) evaluated.
SD Midland, Viking 211, and SD Pheasant data from 2023 UMN variety trials. Erisman data from UW and MSU 2021 variety trials. Viking/Blue River 844 data provided by originator. Viking 801 and Viking 822 agronomic ratings from genetic originator. Viking 801 yield data from 2023 UW variety trials.
Winter Hardiness/Test Weight/Protein 1=highest, 9=lowest; Maturity 1=early, 9=late; Plant Height 1=shortest, 9=tallest; Lodging 1=least prone, 9=most prone; Leaf Rust/Scab 1=most resistant, 9=least resistant; ID Insufficient Data
Viking 822 Soft Red Winter Wheat on Matt Nielsen's farm in eastern Maryland
PRECISION SEEDING RATES
UTILIZING SEED COUNT VS. LBS
While traditional agronomic advice relied on lbs or bu / acre for seeding rate, it is much more accurate to calculate seeding rate by seed count, germination, and purity.
Use the following formula to arrive at your target seeding rate:
Seeding rate in pounds per acre = [desired stand / (1 - expected stand loss)] / [seeds per pound x percent germination]
The optimum stand of winter wheat is 900,000 to 1,000,000 plants per acre or 21 to 23 plants per square foot. The optimum stand is less than hard red spring wheat (HRSW) because the crop will have more opportunity to tiller in both the fall and early spring.
Increase the desired stand to 23-25 plants per square feet when planting is delayed or if seedbed conditions are unfavorable for rapid emergence.
Learn more: https://bit.ly/umnwheatseed
HARD RED WINTER WHEAT SOFT RED WINTER WHEAT
SD MIDLAND HRWW
• Won “Best of Show” Award from the U.S. Wheat Quality Council for outstanding quality (2021)
• Excellent yield potential (second highest yielding wheat in three-year average, South Dakota statewide)
• Slightly taller, semi-dwarf with very good standability
• Excellent protein results and baking quality
• Very good disease resistance package to FHB; susceptible to leaf & stem rusts
• Released by South Dakota State University
Available as:
Conventional or Organic
VIKING/BLUE RIVER 211 HRWW
• Consistently high-yielding HRW wheat with a great balance of agronomics and quality
• Great all-around characteristics for conventional and organic farmers
• Tall & very good standing; late-heading
• Very good test weight; above avg. protein
• Very good all-around disease tolerance, including excellent tolerance to FHB
• Excellent performance across HRWW growing areas from 2019-2023
Available as: Viking Conventional or Blue River Organic
SD PHEASANT HRWW
• Excellent yield potential (1st, 1st, and 3rd place in the South Dakota State University East, Central, & West Winter Wheat Trials, respectively; 1st place in the 2023 U of MN Winter Wheat Trials)
• High test weight and grain protein
• Excellent milling and baking quality
• Resistant to leaf rust and US races of stem rust
• Moderately tolerant to stripe rust, hessian fly and FHB
Available as: Conventional
ERISMAN SRWW**
• Variety developed for organic producers by U of IL and named after long-time organic grower Jack Erisman
• Early-maturing, high-yielding, and excellent disease resistance to fusarium head blight and stripe rust
• Excellent field and University results, strong yields, heavy test weight
• Great milling & baking quality grain
• Wide adaptability to variable soil types
Available as: Organic
BLUE RIVER 801 SRWW
• Yields 5-10% more than LCS3334
• Genetic resistance to fusarium head blight (Fhb1 gene)
• Medium-tall height, stands well
• Good emergence and early-maturing
• Broadly adapted to central and northeastern SRWW growing areas
• Approved by Mennel Milling
Available as: Organic
BLUE RIVER 822 SRWW
• Excellent yielding wheat, well-adapted across the southern US, from northeast TX to SC
• Later-heading variety; matures early
• Excellent standability; med-tall height
• Very good disease resistance package to rusts & fusarium head blight (Fhb1 gene for scab tolerance)
• Suitable winter hardiness for northern zones
Available as: Organic
VIKING/BLUE RIVER 844 SRWW
• Replaces LCS 3334 with more yield (shared genetic background)
• Dominated the 2023 internal trials with 105-111% of trial means across the midwest, mid-south, and east coast locations
• Outstanding yield potential across central and northern SRWW growing regions (from WI to KS and NY to SC)
• Excellent resistance to leaf and stripe rust; moderate resistance to FHB
• Smooth-awned, high test weight
• Medium height, medium maturity, excellent standing
Available as: Viking Conventional or Blue River Organic
**Requires a license agreement
OPEN-POLLINATED WINTER RYE
Winter Rye is the most cold-hardy winter grain, germinating down to 35˚F. It can be grazed deep into the fall, out competes weeds, and produces lots of forage or green manure in the spring. It performs better than other winter grains on low fertility and/or droughty soils. It has excellent feed value as a forage. Average grain yields range from 35-50 bu/acre.
Best Use
Cover Crop, Fall/ Spring Forage, Grain
Requirements
Adaptations
All soil types & environments
Planting Date
Sept - Nov 15 (depending on intended use)
Winter rye fertilization should be managed to match its intended use.
A cover crop of rye does not require any added N fertilizer, forage rye may require from 40-80 lbs of N, and a highinput crop of hybrid rye could require up to 150 lbs of N depending on: a) previous crop, b) expected yield, and c) soil organic matter.
When growing as a cover crop, terminate winter rye at least 10 days to 2 weeks before planting cash crops in the spring. Planting green into winter rye can also be a viable system in the Midwest with careful termination and nitrogen management in corn.
Seeding
For Cover Crop: Drill, broadcast or fly-on 50 - 75 lbs/acre. Time broadcast/aerial seedings with forecasted rains into field corn, sweet corn, or soybeans at beginning of leaf senescence (yellowing) in the fall.
For Forage/Grain: Drill open-pollinated varieties at 100 lbs/ acre 1 to 1 ½" deep. It is possible to get a poor stand from seeding rye too deep.
For Roll-Down System: Drill 3 million seeds/acre (150-200 lbs/acre). Early, accurate planting in fall is critical for best establishment, tillering, and biomass production in the spring.
Rye and Vetch windrow on Sara and Bob Pearson's farm in Wesley, IA
KWS COVER+TM
• For cover crop use only; not permitted for grain, mechanical forage harvest, or seed production
• Outstanding emergence and early spring biomass
• First-generation common winter rye seed from KWS Hybrid Winter Rye
• For soil protection between commercial crops
• Must be terminated in spring, before maturity using herbicides, tillage, roller-crimping, mowing, or grazing. Use a secondary method if mowing or grazing is insufficient.
• Follow standard VNS winter rye seeding rates
Available as:
WINTER RYE (VNS) *
Conventional or Organic
• Economical choice for forage, grain, or cover cropping
• Northern origin
Available as:
HAZLET WINTER RYE
Conventional or Organic
• Canadian variety; among highest yielding OP varieties available; no license requirement
• Excellent yield potential; matures late
• Shorter and better standing than most open-pollinated varieties
Available as:
*Variety not stated **Requires a license agreement
Conventional or Organic
DANKO WINTER RYE
• Polish variety with very high yields, heavy test weight, and large, plump kernels
• Good milling/distilling characteristics
• Good winter hardiness and standability
• Well recognized in Canada and increasingly popular in US
• Great spring biomass production
Available as: Conventional or Organic
**
ND GARDNER WINTER RYE
• Earliest-maturing open-pollinated winter rye we carry; becoming the most popular variety (replacing Aroostook) in roll-down rye systems
• Excellent winter hardiness
• Higher seed yields compared to Aroostook
• Requires license before delivery/pickup
• Good candidate to trial in the organic no-till roll down system or as a forage crop
• Released by North Dakota State University
Available as: Conventional or Organic
AROOSTOOK WINTER RYE
• Early-heading variety; popular choice for organic, no-till, rolldown systems
• Very tall variety; good winter hardiness
• Good spring recovery, early-season vigor
• Will head out earlier than other winter rye varieties
• High lodging potential, thinner stems
Available as: Conventional or Organic
OPEN-POLLINATED WINTER RYE CHARACTERISTICS
All data from University of Minnesota, 2023 (except Aroostook, PFI/ISU, 2022). Winter Hardiness: 1=very hardy, 9=not hardy; Straw Strength/Protein: 1=best, 9=worst; Ergot: 1=resistant, 9= susceptible; Test Weight: 1=heaviest, 9=lightest; ID=insufficient data; NA=not applicable
KWS HYBRID WINTER RYE
KWS Hybrid Winter Rye is bred to produce the highest-yielding rye cereal grain and forage with low incidence of disease. KWS Hybrid rye performs well in drought conditions and on sandy soils and even better on more productive soils.
• Excellent winter hardiness
• Superior grain quality for milling, distilling, and feed markets
• KWS Hybrid Rye commonly has higher quality which makes for an excellent forage, but the grain can also be fed in rations for dairy, beef, and swine
• All KWS hybrid rye varieties require a signed license; grain cannot be saved for seed
• KWS Hybrid Rye has more vigor, persistence, and uniformity in height and maturity, and standability compared to openpollinated varieties
Higher yield: University trials in the Midwest have documented grain yields up to 160 bu/acre. Most areas can achieve 100+ bu/ acre yield under good management and growing conditions.
Disease resistant: KWS Hybrid Rye varieties have Pollen+TM trait (which decreases the risk of ergot). KWS Hybrid Rye varieties also have very low incidence of other diseases such as fusarium head blight and stripe rust.
Reduced CO2 emissions: Research studies demonstrate that hybrid rye feed mixes can decrease CO2 emissions in pork production by more than 20 percent.
Best Use
Grain, Fall/ Spring Forage
Requirements
Adaptations
All soil types & environments
Planting Date
Sept. 1 – Oct. 10 (varies with latitude & elevation)
• KWS Hybrid Rye can handle more intensive management to achieve greater yields because of hybrid vigor
• Optimal planting date, planting depth, fertility, and in-season management is critical for maximum performance
• Provide 1.2 lbs of available N per bushel of targeted grain yield
Seeding
Recommended planting rate starts at 800,000 viable seeds/ acre, but that may need adjusting based on equipment and environmental conditions. 1" is the ideal seeding depth, up to 1.5”. In southern Minnesota, optimum seeding time is September and can continue into October farther south. Uniform seed spacing enables optimum tiller development. Avoid seeding hybrid rye after October 10th in southern Minnesota. Optimal crop residue management and down pressure in high residue situations is important for proper seeding depth and winter survival.
No Saved Seed
KWS Hybrid Rye requires a signed license agreement before pickup or delivery. You can e-sign a license on our website, or we can email you a link. Visit our website for more production information.
Albert Lea Seed's Ty Larson and Matt Helgeson in a field of KWS Hybrid Winter Rye
All varieties sold as a 1 million viable seed unit. Tote bags generally contain 25 units, and paper bags contain 1/2 unit (500,000 viable seeds).
**
KWS TAYO
• Highest yielding; well suited to productive soil
• Adapted for feed use, milling, and distilling
• Excellent standability
• Position on heavier soils north of I-90
• Avoid late planting for this hybrid
Available as: Conventional
KWS RECEPTOR
**
• Excellent drought tolerance; best dryland variety but suited for all soil types
• Replaces KWS Bono
• Earliest heading hybrid rye (up to a week earlier than other varieties)
• Best protection for ergot in the hybrid rye lineup
• Adapted to Midwestern states
Available as:
KWS SERAFINO
**
• Consistent, all-around performance
• Performs in low-input environments
• Well adapted for feed, milling, and distilling uses
• Can succeed on varied soil types; excellent east/west movement
Available as: Conventional
NEW
KWS AVIATOR (FORAGE)
**
• Outstanding forage tonnage and quality across the northern US
• Exceptional winterhardiness and early spring growth
• Produces tremendous late-season biomass for forage harvest versatility
• Best-adapted north of KS, MO, and in the northeast; avoid planting in the southern US, as it has a long vernalization period
Available as: Conventional
KWS PROGAS (FORAGE)
**
• Proven hybrid forage rye with excellent quality and yield in the southern US
• Outstanding silage quality and digestibility when cut in the boot stage
• Very high dry matter yields
• More tonnage and milk/acre than winter triticale
• Earlier heading than most rye and triticale; great candidate for double-cropping
• Best-adapted south of NE, IA, OH, and PA
Available as: Conventional
Looking for a rye that's adapted for cover cropping? See page 23.
*Variety not stated **Requires a license agreement
HYBRID WINTER RYE CHARACTERISTICS
Data for Tayo, Receptor, and Serafino from U of MN, 2023. Data for Aviator and Progras from KWS. Winter Hardiness: 1=very hardy, 9=not hardy; Straw Strength/Protein: 1=best, 9=worst; Ergot: 1=resistant, 9= susceptible; Test Weight: 1=heaviest, 9=lightest; NA=not applicable
WINTER BARLEY
Compared to spring barley, winter barley is typically harvested significantly earlier, has higher yields, fewer disease issues, lower input needs, and provides more erosion prevention and nutrient scavenging.
Although winter barley has shown excellent promise as a productive feed and malting grain for the Upper Midwest, winter survival can be inconsistent in MN, WI, SD, ND, and northern IA. However, breeding efforts at UMN have resulted in much more winter hardy varieties like MN-Equinox. Planting early and getting good snow cover (for insulation) are both critical to winter barley survival in the north central U.S. Plant in sheltered areas to help improve winter survivability.
Best Use Adaptations
Grain, Forage, Malting
Seeding
All soil types; sheltered fields likely fare best
Planting Date
Aug 15 – Sept 15 (time seeding after Hessian fly-free date when possible)
80-100 lbs per acre, drilled to a depth of 1" at a row spacing of 7.5"
Optimal stand is 900,000 to 1 million plants/acre
BARLEY MALTING MARKETING OUTLETS
Anheuser-Busch Contract For Change ID (Organic) Moorhead, MN (Malt Plant) ID, MT, ND (Grain Elevators) jessica.newman@ anheuser-busch.com
Proximity Malt Colorado, Delaware, Wisconsin proximitymalt.com • 414-755-8388
John Anderson John.a@proximitymalt.com
Preferred Varieties: LCS Violetta, LCS Genie
Rahr Malting Shakopee, MN rahrcorporation.com • 952-445-1431
Ron Volpi • rvolpi@rahr.com
Contract Method: Pre-contract Preferred Varieties: AAC Synergy, Pinnacle, Explorer, Lacey
Briess Malting Chilton, WI briess.com • 920-849-7711
Joe Tulius joe.tulius@briess.com
Contract Method: Pre-contract, spot market Preferred Varieties: ACC Synergy, Pinnacle
Maltwerks
Detroit Lakes, MN maltwerks.com • 218 844-6258
Randy Peterson ⁄ Kaj Peterson randy@maltwerks.com kaj@maltwerks.com
Contract Method: Spot market Preferred Varieties: ACC Synergy
Malteurop Milwaukee, WI malteuropmaltingco.com/en 844-546-6258
Contract Method: Pre-contract, spot market
Preferred Varieties: Mayflower, Voyager
Vertical Malt Crookston, MN verticalmalt.com 701-203-3358
Adam Wagner
Contract Method: Does not purchase Preferred Varieties: ND Genesis, ACC Synergy
Two Track Malting Bismark, ND twotrackmalting.com 701-595-3388
FIND ADDITIONAL MALTING OUTLETS AT: craftmalting.com/craft-malt-finder
A field of MN Equinox Barley in Hampton, MN
All varieties sold in 50 lb units and packaged in either 50 lb bags or 2,000 lb totes.
2-ROW
LCS VIOLETTA**
• German variety bred for superior malt quality
• Early-maturing and short height
• Good disease resistance
• Strong yield potential
• Good east/west movement in USDA winterhardiness zones 5 and 6
Available as: Conventional or Organic
**Requires a license agreement
6-ROW
MN-EQUINOX
• Six-row variety for animal feed, released 2022 by U of MN
• Bred for superior winter hardiness in the upper Midwest; good on-farm winter survival
• Very early-maturing
• Facultative characteristics; can be planted in fall or spring and makes grain
• Standability deteriorates after maturity; ensure timely harvest
• Moderately susceptible to spot blotch, esp. when spring-planted
Available as: Conventional or Organic
KWS ORBIT
• Best winter survival rating among 28 winter barleys tested across 23 environments in 2019-2020
• 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
Available as: Conventional or Organic
Looking for cover crop barley? See page 22.
LCS Violetta Winter Barley data from Cornell University, 2023. All other data from University of Minnesota, 2023. Scab 1=resistant; 9=susceptible. ID=Insufficient Data. **License Required.
Winter Barley on Klass and Mary-Howell Martens' farm in Penn Yan, New York
WINTER TRITICALE
Winter Triticale is a cross between winter wheat and winter rye that combines the high yield potential, grain quality, and disease resistance of winter wheat with the winter hardiness and lower fertility requirements of winter rye.
Maintains the best forage quality, particularly if harvesting is delayed, of all the winter grains. Cut before heading (in the boot stage) for best balance of forage quality and yield.
Best Use Adaptations
Forage, Cover Crop, Grain
Requirements
Planting Date
All soil types Sept 1 – Oct 15
Triticale is often less winter hardy than winter rye. Plant early within the suggested range of dates for best overwintering potential.
Seeding
100 lbs/acre (forage, grain)
All varieties sold in 50 lb units and packaged in either 50 lb bags or 2,000 lb totes.
DUAL-PURPOSE
TULUS WINTER TRITICALE
• Outyielded all open-pollinated rye varieties in 2022 Iowa and Minnesota grain trials
• Low-ergot variety with excellent yield potential
• Good winter hardiness and suitability for variable soils
• Can be taken for forage, but will yield less tonnage than FX1001
• Stands exceptionally well
Available as: Conventional
TULUS TRITICALE GRAIN YIELD PERFORMANCE AT MULTIPLE LOCATIONS ACROSS MINNESOTA AND IOWA IN 2022.
Minnesota data from U of MN, 2022. Iowa data from PFI and ISU, 2022.
WINTER TRITICALE
*
• Economical choice for forage or cover cropping
Available as: Conventional or Organic
FORAGE-TYPE
FX1001 WINTER TRITICALE
• Very high-yielding forage triticale
• Nearly awnless, <5% awn expression
• Tall and earlier maturing
• Adaptable to variable growing regions (including dryland)
Available as: Conventional or Organic
*Variety not stated
SPECIALTY GRAINS
WINTER SPELT OTHER HEIRLOOM GRAINS
Winter Spelt, a subspecies of wheat, has been added to our lineup because you have been asking for it! Often used as an animal feed (both for grain and forage), it is growing in popularity in human food (after the removal of the hulls).
Best Use Adaptations Planting Date
Livestock feed as hull-on grain, hay/ silage (comparable to triticale). When de-hulled can be used as flour in human food. All soil types; can handle heavy wet soils better than wheat and is also a better competitor against spring weeds. Less prone to lodging than other spelt varieties.
Requirements
• Should be rotated with other, non-grain crops
Similar to winter wheat, after the fly-free date in your area. (Sept. 10 – Oct. 10 in southern MN; date range will change as you move north or south)
• Generally more winterhardy than SRWW; we recommend testing these on your farm on a limited acreage
• Seed will come with the hull on, and should be seeded that way
• Fertility needs similar to wheat except for nitrogen (75-90lbs N/A); can be split applied in the fall and spring
Seeding
150-180 lbs/acre at least 1" deep
ORGANIC ZOLLERNPERLE SPELT
• New northern European winter spelt
• Very high yield potential
• Medium maturity, good standing, medium height variety
• Awned variety with reddish grain
• MR to septoria, powdery mildew and leaf rust; susceptible to FHB
Available as: Organic
ORGANIC ZOLLERNFELT SPELT
• New northern European winter spelt with food-use potential
• Excellent grain quality, high protein
• High yield potential
• Medium maturity, very good standing, short variety
• Awned variety with red grain
• MS to Septoria, rust, and powdery mildew; susceptible to FHB
Available as: Organic
ORGANIC TURKEY RED WINTER WHEAT
• Heritage variety; taller growth habit than modern wheats, late maturity
• Tall height, shades out weeds better than modern varieties
• Lower yielding than modern varieties
• Can tolerate poor soils because of extensive root system
• Seed threshes free of hull like modern wheats
• Unique rich and complex flavor with excellent baking qualities
• Seed 100-120 lbs/acre
Available as: Organic
PERENNIAL GRAINS
MN CLEARWATER KERNZA**
• First commercially-viable, perennial grain crop, released by U of MN in partnership with The Land Institute
• Larger seed size and seed retention than typical perennial intermediate wheatgrass varieties; good lodging resistance
• Extensive, deep root system and perennial growth recycles nutrients, sequesters carbon, and aids in water infiltration
• Typically produces top grain yields for two years, with drop-off thereafter
• Grazing either briefly in early spring or in fall after harvest can be key to a profitable crop
**Grower must have license from The Land Institute to purchase and plant Kernza—no exceptions—visit kernza.org/growers for more information.
Planting Dates
Aug. 15 - Sept. 1
Seeding 10-15 lbs per acre (~12 lbs/acre PLS) Seed ½" deep using a Brillion or drill
Available as: Conventional
MN Clearwater Kernza on Willie Hughes' farm near Janesville, WI
COVER CROP MIXES
COVER CROP MIXTURE QUICK GUIDE
your cover crop mix with Myco Seed Treat.
• A dry seed treatment of plant-beneficial bacteria and fungi, including mycorrhizae
• Contains 15 different species of microorganisms
• Does NOT contain Rhizobium bacteria for nitrogen fixation with legumes
• Forms a beneficial zone of microbes around the seed. Microbes then form a symbiotic relationship with the plant’s roots.
• Supports microbes during initial growth stages with key nutrients
• Promotes increased nutrient cycling, improved seedling vigor, stand establishment, root growth, and season-long health of crop
• Recommended for all crops and commonly applied in the planter box
• OMRI listed for organic use
• Application Rate: 4-12 oz per 100 lbs of seed
BIOMAX CC1
New Name, Same Great Mix
Maximize fall soil coverage & green manure production after early-harvested crops like small grains, sweet corn, vegetables, corn silage, or early soybeans.
Conventional Mix Components
42% Spring Small Grain
55% Field Peas
3% Daikon Radish
Organic Mix Components
42% Organic Spring Small Grain
55% Organic Field Peas
3% Organic TapMaster Radish
• Previously called NitroMax CC1
• 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” to 1” deep. Drill for best results. Avoid aerial application; peas need soil coverage.
Available as: Conventional or Organic
VALUEMAX CC2
High Seeds Per Lb
Basic combination of small-seeded cover crops to build healthy soils, fix nitrogen, and sequester nutrients.
Conventional Mix Components
60% RootMax Annual Ryegrass
25% Crimson Clover
10% Daikon Radish
5% Dwarf Essex Rapeseed
Organic Mix Components
60% Organic Annual Ryegrass
25% Organic Crimson Clover
15% 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 corn at V4-V6
• Suitable for grazing in the fall
• Not good fit after full-season grain corn or soybeans due to shortened growing season
Planting Date‡
Last cultivation or Aug. 1 – Sept. 15
Seeding
15-20 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill, broadcast, or aerial apply into standing crops in fall or interseed into corn at V4-V6. Later seeding reduces clover & brassica growth.
Available as: Conventional or Organic
WINTERMAX CC3
Winter Hardy & Soil Benefits
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 with a small touch of camelina.
Conventional Mix Components
80% Winter Rye
15% Hairy Vetch
3% Daikon Radish
2% Winter Camelina
Organic Mix Components
80% Organic Winter Rye
15% Organic Hairy Vetch
5% Organic TapMaster Radish
• 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, hairy vetch and camelina in this diverse blend reliably winter over in Upper Midwest
• Inoculate with: Exceed Pea/Vetch
Planting Date‡
Aug. 1 – Oct. 1
Seeding
50-75 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill, broadcast or aerial.
Available as: Conventional or Organic
All mixes subject to change based on availability.
‡Recommended seeding dates are for southern MN. Adjust dates accordingly for farther north and south of this region.
COVER CROP MIXES
BRASSICAMAX CC4
NEW AERIALMAX CC5
Premium Fall Grazing Mix
Economical mixture of improved brassica species designed for high-quality fall grazing, weed competition and soil building. Highly digestible & nutrient-rich blend provides leaves and bulbs that cattle, sheep & other grazing animals can utilize well into the fall & early winter.
Conventional Mix Components
30% Trophy Forage Rapeseed
30% Forage Kale
20% Barkant Forage Turnip
20% Pasja Hybrid Brassica
• Each species in mix selected for high forage yield and digestibility
• High seeds/lb and low cost make this an excellent choice for fall forage
• Excellent fit after hayfield termination, small grains, sweet corn, or silage corn
• Seed with 1.5 bu oats/acre or 1 bu/acre spring barley or wheat for even more tonnage and increased fiber content of the mix. Succeeds on small grain ground where you can expect volunteer growth.
• Introduce grazing animals to heavy brassica stands slowly to avoid feeding issues or fill them up on dry hay first before grazing
Planting Date‡
Aug. 1 – Sept. 15
Seeding
5-6 lbs/acre drilled or 8-9 lbs/acre broadcast or aerially. Seed ¼” to ½” deep.
Available as: Conventional
Overseed Standing Crops In Early Fall
Formulated for aerial application into standing corn or soybeans. Mix diversity provides excellent fall/early spring soil coverage.
Conventional Mix Components
95% Winter Rye
2% Daikon Radish
2% Dwarf Essex Rapeseed 1% Winter Camelina
• 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 and camelina reliably overwinter; rapeseed and radish will likely winterkill
Planting Date‡
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
50-75 lbs/acre at ½” deep. Drill, broadcast or aerial apply. Time your fly-on with a predicted rain for best establishment success.
Available as: Conventional
Maximum Warm-Season Tonnage
Vigorous, warm-season mix of summer annual grasses, broadleaves, and legumes for maximum summer growth, weed suppression, and soil building.
Conventional Mix Components
20% Buckwheat
20% Cowpeas
20% Cover Crop Oats
10% Japanese Millet
10% Sorghum-Sudangrass
10% Sunn Hemp
5% Sunflowers
5% Dwarf Essex Rapeseed
Organic Mix Components
22% Organic Buckwheat
22% Organic Field Peas
22% Organic Oats
21% Organic Soybeans
13% Organic Sorghum Sudangrass
• 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
• Improve summer grazing value with the addition of 5 lbs of a BMR Sorghum Sudangrass
• 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.
Available as: Conventional or Organic
MULTIMAX CC7
Adaptable & Diverse
Very diverse and cost-effective blend of grasses, legumes, and brassicas. Smaller seed size and high seeds/lb provide premium return for low cost.
Conventional Mix Components
45% Annual Ryegrass
20% Crimson Clover
20% Berseem Clover
4% Kale
4% Daikon Radish
4% Purple Top Turnips
3% Dwarf Essex Rapeseed
• Can establish under shade and crop canopy with adequate moisture
• Excellent for seeding into standing corn 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.
Available as: Conventional
CULTIVATIONMAX CC8
Get Into Corn
Shade-tolerant blend of organic cover crop species specially formulated for seeding at last cultivation in corn (V4-V6 stage).
Organic Mix Components
40% Organic Annual Ryegrass
40% Organic Mammoth Red Clover
20% Organic TapMaster Radish
• Small-seeded mix for companion planting with corn at last cultivation
• Emerges and stays semi-dormant until corn dies back in fall
• 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, V4-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.
Available as: Organic
PLOWDOWN BLEND CC9
Your Small Grain Companion
Most popular 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.
Organic Mix Components
40% Organic Mammoth Red Clover
40% Organic Yellow Blossom Sweetclover
20% 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.
Available as: Organic
COVER CROP MIXES
DIVERSEMAX CC10
Everything But the Kitchen Sink
Our most diverse mix. Maintains vigorous growth over wide range of soils, weather conditions, and growing seasons.
Conventional Mix Components
25% Cover Crop Oats
10% Chickling Vetch
10% Annual Ryegrass
10% Sunn Hemp
10% Berseem Clover
10% Common Vetch
10% Buckwheat
5% Sorghum-Sudangrass
5% Lentil
2.5% Daikon Radish
2.5% Dwarf Essex Rapeseed
• Warm- and 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 and Cowpea/ Mung Bean/Sunn Hemp
Planting Date‡
June 1 – Sept. 1
Seeding
40-50 lbs/acre at ½” to ¾” deep. Drill for best results.
Available as: Conventional
FIXNMAX CC11
Legume-Heavy for N Surge
Maximize nitrogen fixation with this diverse blend! Best fit after small grains harvest; will complement volunteer small grains.
Conventional Mix Components
25% Field Peas
25% Chickling Vetch
20% Faba Beans
15% Hairy Vetch
10% Lentils
5% Daikon 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 in the Upper Midwest
• Inoculate with Exceed Pea/Vetch
Planting Date‡
Aug. 1 – Sept. 15
Seeding
60-75 lbs/acre at ½” to ¾” deep. Drill for best results.
Available as: Conventional
CORN BUILDER CC12
Legume Blend Preceding Corn
Three small-seeded legumes with excellent N-fixing capabilities.
Conventional Mix Components
60% Nitrogen Brand (non-dormant) Alfalfa
20% Medium Red Clover
20% Berseem Clover
• Alfalfa and berseem clover will likely winterkill in Upper Midwest: red clover should overwinter
• Potential for high quality hay cutting in seeding year plus enough regrowth for fall/ spring plowdown
• 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
12-15 lbs/acre drilled at 1/4” to 3/8” deep.
Available as: Conventional
All mixes subject to change based on availability. ‡Recommended seeding dates are for southern MN. Adjust dates accordingly for farther north and south of this region.
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% Oats
20% Buckwheat
15% Cowpeas
15% Field Peas
6% Partridge Peas
5% Flax
5% Radish
3% Berseem Clover
3% Crimson Clover
3% Phacelia
3% Sunflowers
2% 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.
Available as: Conventional
NEED A CUSTOM BLEND?
YOUR CUSTOM MIX*
Whatever Works Best on Your Farm
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.
*All custom seed mixtures are non-refundable after purchase.
MultiMax CC7 on Jason Enberg's farm in Kenyon, MN
COVER CROP BRASSICAS
Brassica is a genus of plants in the mustard (Brassicaceae) plant family, also known as cruciferous cole crops. More than 30 wild species and hybrids are in cultivation, plus numerous cultivars and hybrids of cultivated origin. Almost all parts of cultivated species contain nutritional value, including the root, stems, leaves, flowers, buds, and seeds. They provide high amounts of vitamin C and soluble fiber.
Best Uses: Cover crop and fall grazing for livestock. All brassicas have highly digestible cell walls, very high protein levels, and are very succulent. Excellent for grazing and cover cropping (typically as part of a mix). High dry matter production both above and below ground builds organic matter in the soil. Also good for deer food plots due to their high palatability, frost-tolerance, and availability in the fall. Use for fall grazing cattle, sheep, hogs, and in food plots.
Adaptation: Brassica plants require well-drained soil rich in organic matter with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
Grazing: Graze brassicas carefully; too much intake can cause health problems in cattle. Mixing with grass improves ruminant digestion and utilization. Allow livestock time to adjust to a change in diet when beginning grazing.
RADISH
• Vigorous taproot accumulates leachable nutrients, protects soil, improves infiltration, and large taproot may alleviate soil compaction
• Rapid establishment suppresses weeds
• Radish establishes quicker than legumes, but less rapidly than annual grasses
• Provides good groundcover and controls weeds through dense canopy
• Adapted to most soil types
• Plants break down completely by spring in the Upper Midwest; no need for fall or spring tillage
• Non-bolting if planted late summer to early fall
• Will likely winterkill in Upper Midwest
Best Use: Cover crops and food plot plantings. Can be used for grazing when mixed with other brassicas or grasses.
Management: Ready to graze in mixed stand 45-60 days
Planting Date ‡: Mid August - September
Seeding: 6-8 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep.
TAPMASTER DAIKON RADISH
• 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
Available as: Conventional or Organic
DAIKON RADISH
*
• Most common variety in US
Available as: Conventional
*Variety Not Stated (VNS)
RAPESEED
• Succulent plant (high percentage H2O) related to cabbage
• Persists well after the first few frosts but usually doesn’t overwinter in the Upper Midwest
• Some seed dormancy has been observed
Best Use: Forage for hogs, cattle, sheep, and young stock. Can be grazed multiple times. Not for haying (does not dry). Cover cropping.
Management: Ready to pasture in 6 to 8 weeks. Keep it grazed or mown so that it doesn’t get tall and woody. Use to supplement perennial coolseason pastures (down to 18-20° F) in August through November or interseed into warmseason grasses to improve their feed quality. Can result in blistering in white-skinned pigs when they are grazing and then exposed to sunlight.
Planting Date‡: Early spring until September 1
Seeding: 4-7 lbs/acre, ¼" to ½" deep
NEW
TROPHY RAPESEED
• Fast-growing; heat, cold, and drought tolerant
• Emerges quickly; produces a good fall stand, especially when planted in late fall
• Canola-type rape; produces large volumes of biomass with good feed value
• Attractive to deer after frost
Available as: Conventional
DWARF ESSEX RAPESEED
• Highly palatable
• Nutritious with excellent protein
• Some seed dormancy has been observed
Available as: Conventional
TURNIPS
• Leafy, large-rooted, establishes rapidly
• Produces a large bulb just below ground, which is good for reducing compaction in the topsoil layers
• Scavenges N and other nutrients which prevents leaching
• Cold hardy specie, perfect for early fall/late winter grazing
• Excellent forage potential, can yield up to 4 to 6 tons of DM/acre
• Extremely high energy feed with 85% total digestible nutrients, tops contain about 14+% protein and the bulbs about 9+%; fiber content low, so supplement with roughage for best rumen function
• Will likely winterkill in the Upper Midwest Best Use: Cover crop and pasture forage. Has been pastured successfully with up to a foot of snow cover.
Management: Ready to graze in 60-90 days. Strip graze for best utilization of both the tops and roots.
Planting Date‡: July - September
Seeding: Seed 3-5 lbs/acre ¼" to ½" deep
BARKANT FORAGE TURNIP
• 50% more dry matter than purple top turnip and almost five times the leaf production
• Ideally suited for grazing sheep and cattle
Available as: Conventional
PURPLE TOP TURNIPS *
• Most common variety in US
Available as: Conventional
‡Recommended seeding dates are for southern MN. Adjust dates accordingly for farther north and south of this region.
OTHER BRASSICAS
BAYOU FORAGE KALE
• Very leafy; will produce high yields far into late fall/early winter
• Highly palatable; graze late into fall
• Frost-tolerant; livestock often prefer kale after freezing
• Survival tolerance down to about 14° F, our most cold-tolerant choice for grazing
• Will likely winterkill in Upper Midwest
Best Use: Cattle and sheep grazing; animals will perform comparably to grazing alfalfa
Management: Ready to graze in 45-50 days
Planting Date‡: May to August
Seeding: 3-4 lbs/acre, ¼" to ½" deep
Available as:
ETHIOPIAN CABBAGE*
• Open-leaved; ideal for cover cropping or grazing
• Multiple deep-growing taproots reduce soil compaction and break up hardpan
• Excellent nutrient scavenging ability and bolt resistance for early fall planting
• Will likely winterkill in the upper Midwest
Best Use: Cover cropping or grazing
Management: Ready to graze in 45-50 days
Planting Date‡: May to August
Seeding: 3-4 lbs/acre, ¼" to ½" deep
Available as:
IMPACT FORAGE COLLARDS
• Unique brassica that will not bolt until undergoing a cold, vernalization period
• Will remain vegetative throughout the summer months
• More shade tolerant than other brassica species
• Deep rooted & leafy brassica with excellent forage yield
• Hybrid cross with forage rape background
• Leafy and highly palatable
Best Use: Summer grazing and cover cropping
Management: Ready to graze in 45-50 days
Planting Date‡: May to August
Seeding: 6-8 lbs/acre, ¼" to ½" deep
Available as: Conventional
PASJA FORAGE BRASSICA
• Cross between Forage Rape/Forage Turnip
• Very leafy and highly palatable; can maintain production throughout season
• Bred for multiple grazings and excellent regrowth; nutritious bulbs
• Fast-growing, high yield forage brassica
• Great heat and drought tolerance
• All leaf and no stem; leaves grow from the plant crown
Best Use: Can compliment many different grazing companions (including summer annuals)
Management: Allow 6 weeks to establish, then can be grazed at monthly intervals
Planting Date‡: May to August
Seeding: 4-6 lbs/acre at ¼’’ to ½’’ deep
Available as: Conventional
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 mixtures
Best Use: Cover crop, oilseed crop
Management: Seed in the proper planting window. Seeding too late in the fall can result in minimal fall growth and winterkill.
Planting Date‡: September through October
Seeding: 6 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Best seeded through small drill box or aerially with highboy or drone
Available as: Conventional or Organic
YELLOW MUSTARD *
• Good fit if frost-seeded before soybeans or flown on in late summer/ early fall
• Performs best when seeded alone; not recommended in mixes
• Fast growing, potential for smother crop
Best Use: Cover crop
Management: Very rapid growth, good for short windows. Control plant at first flower to avoid seed set and unwanted volunteers.
Planting Date‡: Early spring to early fall
Seeding: 5-10 lbs/acre at ½” to ¾” deep.
Available as: Conventional or Organic
COOL-SEASON COVER CROP GRASSES
RYEGRASS BARLEY
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.
Available as:
Conventional or Organic
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
• Tetraploid variety selected for wide leaves and upright growth
• 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.
Available as: Conventional
ROBUST SPRING BARLEY
• An economical small grain option for cover cropping
• Excellent for fall forage and grazing
Seeding
48-96 lbs/acre at ½" to ¾" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional or Organic
WINTER BARLEY*
• Helps control erosion, scavenge nutrients, and build soil.
• Deep roots can tolerate sodic soils and support mycorrhizal fungi
• More susceptible to winter kill than other cereal grains
Seeding
48-96 lbs/acre at ½" to ¾" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional
OATS
COVER CROP 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.
Available as: Conventional or Organic
76-30 WINTER OAT
• High biomass potential; great option for grazing or cover cropping
• Fast establishment and good early season vigor
• Winter oats are winter hardy in the southern United States. In the north, they will persist longer in the fall compared to spring oats, thus extending the grazing season or cover crop biomass production
• Hardy in USDA Zones 8-10
Seeding
32-96 lbs/acre at ½" to ¾" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional
OPEN-POLLINATED 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.
Available as: Conventional or Organic
KWS COVER+TM
• For cover crop use only; not permitted for grain, mechanical forage harvest, or seed production
• Outstanding emergence and early spring biomass
• First-generation common winter rye seed from KWS Hybrid Winter Rye
• For soil protection between commercial crops
• Must be terminated in spring, before maturity using herbicides, tillage, roller-crimping, mowing, or grazing. Use a secondary method if mowing or grazing is insufficient.
• Follow standard VNS winter rye seeding rates
Available as:
**
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
• Released by North Dakota State University
• 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.
Available as: Conventional or Organic
* Variety Not Stated
Looking for something for grain production? We have additional winter barleys on pages 10-11, winter ryes on pages 6-9, winter wheats on page 4-5, and winter triticales on page 12.
Conventional or Organic
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.
Available as: Conventional NEW
WARM-SEASON COVER CROP GRASSES
JAPANESE MILLET*
• Upright, warm-season, summer annual grass that grows up to 4 ft tall
• Quick growth and emergence in 3-5 days under ideal growing conditions
• Tolerates wet soils prone to flooding or ponding better than other millets
• Excellent nitrogen scavenger and erosion preventer
• Finer stems than pearl millet or sorghums, great for grazing
• Wait to plant until soil is 62°F
Seeding
25-35 lbs/acre at ½" to 1" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional Untreated
PROSO MILLET*
• Warm-season annual grass that grows 1 to 3.5 ft tall
• Fast growing species, with a low water-use requirement
• Very little regrowth after cutting for hay
• Serves as a catch crop where others have failed
• Harvest or mow before heading out to limit volunteers
• Wait to plant until soil is 62°F
Seeding
20-30 lbs/acre at ½" to 1" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional Untreated
GERMAN-TYPE FOXTAIL MILLET*
• Fast-growing, annual grass
• Fine quality forage, easy to hay
• Not related to weedy foxtails
Seeding
20-25 lbs/acre at ½” to 1” deep.
Available as: Conventional Untreated
SORGHUM-SUDANGRASS *
• Upright warm-season, summer annual that grows up to 8 ft tall; resembles corn
• Hybrid cross between Sorghum & Sudangrass
• Fast growing; produces large amounts of biomass that can be incorporated into the soil to build organic matter
• Excellent cover crop choice for weed suppression (including perennials, such as Canada thistle), N scavenging, and soil building
• Excellent forage for livestock
• Manage for potential prussic acid poisoning of livestock when plants are stressed by freezing or severe drought
• Does not tolerate shade, frost, flooding, or ponding
• 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.
Available as: Conventional Untreated or Organic
PIPER SUDANGRASS
• Long-established and proven non-BMR variety
• Upright warm-season summer annual that grows up to 8 ft tall; leaves resemble corn
• Rapid emergence and early growth; excellent for weed suppression
• Good forage crop that can be grazed
• Natural soil fumigant; when tilled under can help reduce nematode populations
• Lower prussic acid poisoning hazard than sorghum-sudangrass
• Wait to plant until soil is 62°F
Seeding
20-30 lbs/acre at ½" to 3/4" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional Untreated or Organic
OTHER COVER CROP FORBS
BUCKWHEAT*
• 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; do so at first sign of flowering to avoid volunteers
Seeding
50-100 lbs/acre at ½” to 1½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional or Organic
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.
Available as: Conventional Brown Flax or Organic Gold Flax
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 at least 6-8 weeks before killing frost
Seeding
3-5 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional
NEWBIE SUGAR BEET
• 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.
Available as: Conventional
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.
Available as: Conventional
COVER CROP LEGUMES
ANNUAL CLOVERS
VIPER BALANSA CLOVER
• Cool-season, annual legume with unique hollow stems
• Early-maturing, high-yielding variety ideal for cover cropping or forage
• Quick establishment with excellent vigor compared to other varieties
• Excellent nitrogen fixation, soil building root structure and extensive biomass production potential
• Performs well on a wide range of soil types, tolerating pH levels from 4.5-8.3 and more tolerant of wet soils than most other legume cover crop species
• Viper is highly digestible and can be grazed or hayed; somewhat difficult to cut and slow to dry for hay
• Protein levels in the upper 20s in vegetative stages
• Hay protein levels run 14-18 percent
• Very low bloat potential
• Potential early fall cover crop option after silage corn, small grains or early soybeans
• Will likely winterkill in the Upper Midwest, overwinters in USDA Winter Hardiness Zone 6 and south
• Coated with Nitro-Coat (OMRI)
Seeding
5-8 lbs/acre at ¼” deep.
Available as: Conventional
BALADY BERSEEM CLOVER
• Fast-growing annual for quick biomass
• Fixes up to 100 lbs N at flowering
• Tolerates wet soil conditions better than most forage or cover crop legumes, but doesn’t do well in drier conditions
• Slightly more cold tolerant than crimson
• Documented to overwinter in USDA winterhardiness zone 6b; will likely winterkill north of that zone
• Excellent early fall cover crop potential after silage corn, small grains or early soybeans
• Doesn’t cause bloat
• Inoculated with Pre-Vail (OMRI)
Seeding
12-15 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional
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
• Survives temperature down to 10°F without snow cover.
• Coated with NitroCoat (OMRI)
Seeding
12-15 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional
CRIMSON CLOVER *
• Rapidly growing annual clover
• Seed late summer in the south for greatest 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.
Available as: Conventional or Organic
NEW
MAJESTIC CRIMSON CLOVER
• Excellent cold tolerance for a crimson clover; expands useful range
• Superior forage yields vs. Dixie or VNS crimson
• Highly disease resistant and persistent
• Strong early spring growth
Seeding
12-20 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional
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.
Available as: Organic
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 oneyear plow down
• Inoculated with Pre-Vail (OMRI)
Seeding
8-12 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional or Organic
SUBTERRANEAN CLOVER *
• Low-profile, shade tolerant annual clover
• Tolerant of wet conditions
• Incredible weed suppression ability and can be grazed, unlike hairy vetch
• Will winter kill in the upper Midwest, winter hardy in zone 7A and south
• Fixes large amount of nitrogen and can be interseeded into corn at last cultivation or flown on
• Inoculated with Pre-Vail (OMRI)
Seeding
10-20 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional
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
• During first-year growth, don’t mow closer than 10-12” in the fall to preserve the stand; plants regrow from axillary, rather than crown, buds
• Cut or plowdown before seed set to avoid volunteer weed issues
• Can produce 90-170 lbs N/acre
• Inoculated with Pre-Vail (OMRI)
Seeding
8-12 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional or Organic
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
• Inoculated with Pre-Vail (OMRI)
Seeding
8-12 lbs/acre at ¼” to ½” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional
WHITE DUTCH CLOVER
*
• Low-growing clover; good traffic tolerance and persistence
• Usable as living mulch in orchards and vegetable gardens
• Avoid dry soils
• Coated with ApexTM Green (OMRI)
Seeding
6-8 lbs/acre no deeper than ¼”. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional
* Variety Not Stated
COVER CROP LEGUMES
SPRING PEAS WINTER PEAS
4010 FIELD PEAS
• Leafy, speckled forage-specific pea
• Indeterminate growth habit
• Significantly more biomass than yellow grain type peas
• Best choice for forage
Seeding
75-150 lbs/acre at 2” to 3” deep.
Available as: Conventional or Organic
DS ADMIRAL FIELD PEAS
• Tried and true dual-purpose yellow pea for grain or forage
• Upright, tall and better standing than most other varieties
• Determinate growth habit
• Broadly adapted with consistent above average yields
• Unmatched food quality because of near-perfectly round shape
• Good adaptability to wetter climates and non-traditional pea growing regions
Seeding
75-150 lbs/acre at 2” to 3” deep.
Available as: Organic
AUSTRIAN WINTER PEAS
• Best used as a forage pea in cover crop mixes or forage blends
• Can provide from 90 to 150 lbs nitrogen/acre at full flowering
• Withstands temperatures as low as 10°F with minor injury
• Does not overwinter in areas colder than Hardiness Zone 6
• Sensitive to heat and humidity
Seeding
60-75 lbs/acre at 2” to 3” deep.
Available as: Conventional or Organic
WYOWINTER WINTER PEAS
• Improved and more winter-hardy variety than Austrian winter peas
• Bred and further selected in Wyoming
• Most likely to overwinter in NE, IA, southern WI, and east and south of those states
• Indeterminant growth habit, like 4010 forage peas, but with more erect growth habit
• Yellow pea, can be used for forage, grain, or cover cropping
Seeding
50-100 lbs/acre drilled 1” to 2” deep.
Available as: Conventional
HAIRY VETCH
*
HAIRY VETCH
• 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 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
• Seed & biomass toxic to horses
Seeding
20-30 lbs/acre at ½" to 1" deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional or Organic (Organic new crop available fall 2024)
* Variety Not Stated
Mac Ehrhardt, Albert Lea Seed Chairman, with Lisa Kissing-Kucek, Research Geneticist (plant breeder) with the USDA-ARS in Madison, Wisconsin. They are standing in a Hairy Vetch research plot where experimental varieties of vetch are compared to older varieties.
OTHER COOL-SEASON LEGUMES WARM-SEASON LEGUMES
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.
Available as: Conventional or Organic
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.
Available as: Conventional
FABA BEANS *
• Tall, bushy annual thrives in cool & wet soils
• Not tolerant of 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
• Very 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.
Available as: Conventional
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.
Available as: Conventional
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
• Great option for long growing windows
• Ready to plowdown 60-90 days after planting
• Plant in summer at soil temp >65°F
Seeding
50-75 lbs/acre at ½” to 1” deep. Drill or increase rate to broadcast seed.
Available as: Conventional
MUNG BEANS
*
• Warm-season annual legume
• 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.
Available as: Conventional
SUNN HEMP
*
• Tall-growing, warm-season annual legume; 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 temps are >65°F; requires same inoculant as cowpeas
• Young stems & leaves rich in protein; initial growth 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.
Available as: Conventional
DON'T FORGET THE INOCULANT!
We recommend inoculating all cover crop legumes, especially if that species has never been planted on your farm. Most of our clovers and all alfalfas are sold pre-inoculated and do not require additional inoculant. Inoculate large-seeded legumes before planting.
Inoculants available for:
• Alfalfa
• Clover
• Birdsfoot Trefoil
• Cowpeas
• Sunn Hemp
• Peas
• Vetch
• Sainfoin
COVER CROP PERFORMANCE
SEEDING RATE: NR = Not Recommended
PREDICTED HARDY: ID = Insufficient Data • NFT = Not Frost Tolerant
*Highly variable on winter growing conditions, planting date, snow cover, etc.
Happy goats grazing on rye (Abby Mosel)
Flora in field of vetch (Angelo Pedretti)
Rye being plowed down at sunset (Ohio Till Farmstead)