Plant Diversity Co.
Cool season Cover
The Seeding Early Blend
The ideal blend to implement if you plan on seeding early. Strictly cool season plants provides a frost tolerance over warm season plants. This blend is designed to take advantage of early spring moisture & sunlight to maximize biomass and regrowth potential.
Dark Blue: Cool Season Plants Light Blue: Warm Season Plants (none)
Cool Season Cover
plant Species in blend
All plant species in this blend are cool season. No frost risk. Seed early to maximize biomass and regrowth potential.
Seeding Rate: 60 Ibs/acre SKU: 2000 Ib Tote
Seed Tag: Click here
Inoculant Required: Learn More
FCC Financing is available for 2024-2025 seed purchases.
Cool SEASON COVER
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
See below for the most frequently asked questions regarding the Cool Season Cover.
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If applying Nitrogen fertilizer, keep below 40 Ibs/acre actual.
A multi-species rhizobium inoculant is required. (NDURE)Important To Note: Excess nitrogen fertilizer will inhibit legumes from establishing a relationship with rhizobium bacteria. This relationship needs to be established for later season vegetation and growth.
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Due to only cool-season plant species in the blend, we do not need to worry about frost whereas for any blend with warm-season plant species - we need to wait until soil temperatures are between 6-10 degrees C.
This is the trade-off. Less drought tolerance and diversity but the cool season cover allows you to seed as early as possible to maximize biomass & regrowth potential.
Seed the Cool Season Cover at a seeding depth of 3/4 inch - 1 inch -
The Cool Season Cover will reach full biomass potential about 60-80 days after germination (depending on seed timing). Due to plant diversity and indeterminate species, the window for silage is much wider than a monocrop forage. Please refer to our Silage/Dry Hay protocol on this page for more details.
Cut Early: Less biomass, more regrowth, higher protein.
Cut Later: More biomass, less regrowth, lower protein.
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Expect a balanced feed ration of energy & protein due to high energy cereals & high protein legumes.
Range depends on harvest timing.
Protein: 11.0-16.0
TDN: 60-65
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Yes. You can expect 7-10 days dry down time. Feed quality & palatability will be slightly lower than silage.
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Yes. Italian Rye Grass, Hairy Vetch , Berseem Clover & Purlple Top Turnip will regrow. These plant species were selected to provide a balance of energy (cereals) & protein (legumes). Moisture will determine regrowth.
If you want more re-growth, cut early. If you want more winter forage with less grazing, cut later.
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Yes. Decaying high-diversity root biomass will improve soil function greatly. (Increased water infiltration, soil aggregation & biological activity)
Remember to benchmark this by following our Water Infiltration Protocol.
SOIL HEALTH 101
Why Plant Diversity?
Monoculture Environment: plants are all competing for the same sunlight, moisture & nutrients - all at the exact same time. This is competition.
Multi-Species Environment: Plants are forming symbiotic relationships with rhizobium bacteria, mycorrhizal fungi, and other soil micro-organisms to fix, solubilize & share nutrients (and water). This is collaboration.
Depending on soil temperature, soil chemistry, and environmental conditions present, a different spectrum of plant species in the canopy is always expressed.
This is why plant diversity is an insurance policy with Mother Nature.
Cool Season COVER
Seeding Best Practices
STEP 1: If weed pressure is an issue or you have a history of problem weeds on the field you selected, we recommend a pre-burn herbicide application (with no residual). Do not plant on fields with kochia problems.
STEP 2: If applying Nitrogen, keep below 40 Ibs/actual. A multi-species rhizobium inoculant is required. Excess nitrogen fertilizer will inhibit legumes in establishing a relationship with rhizobium bacteria.
STEP 3: Do not broadcast. Target 3 ⁄4 of an inch or up to 1 inch if moisture is available. The larger seeds will “give way” to the smaller seeds in the blend. Do not bury the blend 2-3 inches into the ground.
STEP 4: Due to only cool-season plant species in the blend, we do not need to worry about frost. This is the trade-off. Less drought tolerance but this blend allows you to seed early to maximize biomass & regrowth potential.
Notice the slower start to the growing season. Once plant/soil symbiosis is reached, rapid biomass accumulation begins.
Cool Season Cover
Harvest Options
For higher protein & palatability, harvest early. For higher yield & TDN, harvest later. The blend provides flexibility depending on your farm goals.
Silage Best Practices Click here to learn more
Dry Hay Practices Click here to learn more
Mob Grazing Click here to learn more
Compacted Headland Click here to learn more
Image: Cool Season Cover
Cool Season Cover
Graze The Regrowth
Plant species in the Cool Season Cover have been selected to maximize regrowth potential for late fall grazing. Plant species expected to comprise the majority of the regrowth include:
Italian Rye Grass
Hairy Vetch
Berseem Clover
Purple Top Turnip
Important To Note: Moisture throughout the year will determine regrowth. Grasses (energy) & legumes (protein) provide a balanced, diverse cattle feed.
Did You Know? 96 percent of a plant comprises three elements: Carbon, Hydrogen & Oxygen. (water & sunlight)
Cool Season Cover
Plant Species In The blend
See below for some general information regarding each plant species in the blend.
Featured
Cool Season Cover
Farmer Testimonials
To find testimonials from farmers across Western Canada who have implemented the Cool Season Cover into their operations, click here.
You can find further farmer testimonials on social media via Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.
Click on image to view Farmer Testimonials.
Cool Season Cover
Local Farmer Meetings
If you’re looking for further education on the concept of multi-species cover crops for winter forage - consider attending one of our upcoming Local Farmer Meetings.
An excellent opportunity to network with like-minded farmers.
Remember to ApPly
OFCAF FUnding
Remember to apply for the OFCAF funding, where you may be eligible to recieve $35.00/acre (max. $75,000) for adopting multispecies cover crops on your operation. Click here for help getting the process/application started.
Funding will differ across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, & Alberta.
Interested in Learning More?
We are farmers ourselves
Feel free to contact your Provincial Territory Manager if you have any further questions regarding the Cool Season Cover.
