Plant Diversity Co.
cool season Cover
The Seeding Early Blend
An economical full season cover option without the insurance policy of warm-season plant species. The ideal blend to implement if you plan on seeding early.
Cool season Cover
plant species in blend
A full season cover option without the insurance policy of the warm-season plant species. Ideal if you plan on seeding early.
Seeding Rate: 65 Ibs/acre
Seed Tag: Learn More
Inoculant Required: Learn More
Best Practices: Learn More
FCC Financing is now available for 2023-2024 seed purchases.
cool SEASON COVER
2022 Farmer Testimonial/timeline
"The growth there was in 2 weeks was crazy! It was difficult driving a quad through."
~Peter Penner. Winkler, Manitoba
Image: June 27th, 2022
Image: July 5th, 2022
Image: July 9th, 2022
Cool SEASON COVER
Frequently Asked Questions
See below for the most frequently asked questions regarding the Cool Season Cover.
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Only a multi-species rhizobium inoculant (NDURE) is required. Excess nitrogen fertilizer will inhibit legumes in establishing a relationship with rhizobium bacteria. This relationship needs to be established for later season vegetation and growth.
With this being said, we do have growers applying 20-40 Ibs/actual N who have had positive results.
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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. -
There is no need for the drought resiliency of the warm season plant species if moisture is controlled.
Irrigation also means significant regrowth as moisture is always our limiting factor to regrowth on dry land acres.
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The Cool Season Cover will reach full biomass potential about 60 days after germination. Due to plant diversity and indeterminate species, the window for silage is much wider than a monocrop forage.
Once the cool-season cereals start to turn - the silage/hay process should begin. Depending on your goals (re-growth for grazing, protein requirement, energy) you may choose to time your harvest differently.
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Yes. Italian Rye Grass, Hairy Vetch & Berseem Clover will re-grow.
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.
Image: Cool Season Cover. Alberta 2021
Harvest Option
Silage/dry hay
By utilizing plant diversity, root exudates, and soil biology we are able to dramatically decrease input costs vs. a monoculture forage option. At the same time, a high-quality feedstuff is produced due to the balance of cereals (energy) & legumes (protein) in the blend.
Harvest Option
Rotational Grazing
The Cool Season Cover was also developed to utilize plant diversity, root exudates & soil biology to mimic the natural ruminant grazing system. Keep in mind, the productive soils we farm today weren’t built by monocultures, heavy tillage & synthetic fertilizer but by ruminant animals, mob grazing diverse grasslands.
To learn more about Mob Grazing, click here.
Cool Season Cover
re-growth potential
Expect Italian Rye Grass, Hairy Vetch & Berseem Clover to re-grow - a balanced cattle feed (energy + protein).
*Moisture will determine regrowth
Cool Season Cover
Plant Species in the blend
See below for some general information regarding each plant species in the blend.
Featured
Remember to apply for the OFCAF funding to receive up to $35.00/acre (max. $75,000) for the adoption of multispecies cover crops on your operation. Click here for help getting the process/application started.
Funding will differ across Manitoba, Saskatchewan, & Alberta.
Do you have more questions?
Contact US
Feel free to reach out to a member of Our Team to discuss where the Cool Season Cover might fit your operation.