Plant Diversity Co.
Full season Cover
The Insurance Policy with Mother Nature Blend
The Full Season Cover® is a blend of warm & cool season plant species to provide an insurance policy with Mother Nature. If hot/dry conditions are present, warm-season plant species will compose the majority of the biomass. If cool/wet conditions are present, cool-season plant species will compose the majority of the biomass.
The result is a high-yielding, high-quality livestock feed - all while improving soil health, lowering input costs, and reducing farm risk.
To learn more about the benefits of having C4 plants & C3 plants in the blend, click here.
Full Season Cover®
plant Species in blend
Our most popular blend. Lower input costs, provide a balanced feed ration & improve soil resiliency with this blend of warm & cool season plants. Regrowth for fall grazing.
Seeding Rate: 60 Ibs/acre SKU: 2000 Ib Tote
Seeding Time: May 15th - June 15th
Use On The Farm: Silage, Dry Hay, Grazing
Days To Maturity: 60-75 days
Seed Tag: Click here
Inoculant Required: Learn More
FCC Financing is available for 2025-2026 seed purchases.
Full SEASON COVER®
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
See below for the most frequently asked questions regarding the Full Season Cover®
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If applying Nitrogen fertilizer, keep below 40 Ibs/acre actual.
If applying Phosphorus fertlizer, keep below 10 Ibs/acre actual (in seed row)
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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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. Do not plant on fields with kochia problems. For best weed control, spray crop with glyphosate 2-3 days after seeding. (pre-emergence)
The herbicides AIM (Group 14) or Conquer (Group 14 & 6) from FMC are a recommended glyphosate tank mix partner for better control of broadleaf weeds.
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To maximize plant diversity, delaying seeding until end of May (or soil temperature above 8 degrees C) is recommended to ensure a diverse stand.
Seed the Full Season Cover at a seeding depth of 3/4 inch - 1 inch -
The Full Season Cover will reach full biomass potential about 60-75 days after germination. 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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Plant species in the Full Season Cover have been selected to maximize regrowth potential for late fall grazing - a balanced, diverse cattle feed (energy + protein).
High Precip: Expect Cool Season plants to compose the majority of regrowth biomass.
Low Precip: Expect Warm Season Plants to compose the majority of regrowth biomass.
If you want more re-growth, cut early. If you want more winter forage with less grazing, cut later.
Full Season Cover®
A blend of C4 & C3 Plant species
If hot/dry conditions are present, warm-season plant species will accumulate biomass. If cool/wet conditions are present, cool-season plant species will accumulate biomass. Why?
Warm Season Plants (C4) evolved in hot/dry environments.
Cool Season Plants (C3) evolved in cool/wet environments.
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.
Notice Sorghum Sudan, a warm season C4 grass capturing sunlight above the canopy in 30+ degree conditions. And although, unseen in these pictures, a cool season C3 grass such as Italian Rye Grass capturing sunlight lower in the canopy. This diversity allows you to capture 100% of available sunlight throughout the growing season.
View a Compilation Of Pictures from farmers across Western Canada.
Full Season Cover®
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.
Image: Competition vs. Collaboration
Full 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 in 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: Waiting for ideal soil temperatures ( above 8 degrees Celcius) allows the warm season species to establish & avoid frost risk - increasing the potential for yield, feed quality & drought resilience.
Full 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/Dry Hay Best Practices Click here to learn more
Mob Grazing Click here to learn more
Compacted Headland Click here to learn more
Image: Darlingford, Manitoba
Did You Know? 96 percent of a plant comprises three elements: Carbon, Hydrogen & Oxygen. (water & sunlight)
Extend The Grazing Season
Graze The Regrowth
Plant species in the Full Season Cover have been selected to maximize regrowth potential for late fall grazing. This grazing provides a balanced, diverse cattle feed (energy + protein).
High Precip: Expect Cool Season Plants to compose the majority of regrowth biomass.
Low Precip: Expect Warm Season Plants to compose the majority of regrowth biomass.
*Moisture throughout the year will also determine regrowth potential.
Connor English. Territory Manager & farmer discussing regrowth on his farm in 2024.
Full Season Cover®
research/feed analysis
A balanced feed ration of energy (cereals) & protein (legumes)
To view the feed analysis research summary, Click Here.
*Contact your local dealer or provincial Territory Manager for more feed analysis results.
Full Season Cover®
Plant Species In The blend
All cool-season cereals in this blend are sourced to guarantee CERTIFIED NO. 1 quality control & standards
All other seeds sourced and cleaned in the Full Season Cover® meet the minimum standard of COMMON NO. 1
Weed Seed %: Cleaned to Canada Certified No. 1 standard
Germination % Minimum: Canada Certified No. 1 standard
Featured
Darwin Gork from Plumas, Mb discussing Return on Investment.
Chance Rothwell from Shellbrook, Sk discussing seeding implements.
Andy Keen from Darlingford, Mb discussing weeds.
Full Season Cover®
Farmer Testimonials
To find testimonials from farmers across Western Canada who have implemented the Full 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.
Full Season Cover®
Farmer Meetings
If you’re looking for further education on the concept of multi-species cover crops for winter forage & grazing - consider attending one of our upcoming meetings.
A great opportunity to network with like-minded farmers from your area.
Click on image to view upcoming dates of events near you.
Remember to ApPly
OFCAF FUnding
Remember to apply for the OFCAF funding, where you may be eligible to recieve $50.00/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 Full Season Cover®
Name: Keegan Miller
Home Farm Location: La Corey, Alberta
Territory: Northern Alberta & British Columbia
Name: Brendan English
Home Farm: Castor, Alberta
Territory: Central & Southern Alberta
Name: Tanner Hale
Home Farm Location: Hines Creek, Alberta
Territory: Peace River Country, Alberta
Name: Dakota Odgers
Home Farm Location: Spy Hill, Saskatchewan
Territory: Southern Saskatchewan
Name: Chance Rothwell
Home Farm Location: Shellbrook, Saskatchewan
Territory: Northern Saskatchewan
Name: Connor English
Home Farm Location: Bradwardine, Manitoba
Territory: Manitoba (all areas)