Plant Diversity Co.

Full season Cover (OverWinter)

The Overwintering Full Season Cover

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A blend of warm & cool season plant species with the addition of Winter Triticale and Sweet Clover to provide an insurance policy with Mother Nature along with overwintering capabilities. 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.

Avoid over-grazing in the fall to increase the chances of Winter Triticale and Sweet Clover Overwintering. If grazing in the fall, allow ample time for plants to recover before freeze up.

To learn more about the benefits of having C4 plants & C3 plants in the blend, click here.

Full Season Cover (Overwinter)®

plant Species in blend

The Full Season Cover® you know and love, with the addition of Winter Triticale & Sweet Clover for overwintering capabilities. Graze the following spring.

Seeding Rate: 80 Ibs/acre SKU: 2000 Ib Tote

Seeding Time: May 15th - June 15th

Use On The Farm: Silage, Dry Hay, Grazing

Days To Maturity: 60-70 days

Seed Tag: Click here
Inoculant Required: Learn More

FCC Financing is available for 2025-2026 seed purchases.

Information Sheet

Full SEASON COVER (Overwinter)®

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

See below for the most frequently asked questions regarding the Full Season Cover (Overwinter)®

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.
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.
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 (Overwinter)® at a seeding depth of 3/4 inch - 1 inch
The Full Season Cover (Overwinter)® will reach full biomass potential about 60-70 days after germination. Due to plant diversity and indeterminate species, the window for silage is much wider than a monocrop forage.
Cut Early: Less biomass, more regrowth, higher protein.
Cut Later: More biomass, less regrowth, lower protein.
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
Yes. You can expect 7-10 days dry down time. Feed quality & palatability will be slightly lower than silage.
Plant species in the Full Season Cover (Overwinter)® 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.
These species have been included to maximize early-season moisture for spring grazing.
Be sure not to overgraze the previous fall to give Winter Triticale & Sweet Clover the best chance at overwintering.

Full SEASON COVER (Overwinter)®

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.

Learn more

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.

Full Season COVER (overwinter)®

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 (overwinter)®

Harvest Options

For higher protein & palatability, harvest early. For higher yield & TDN, harvest later. The blend provides flexibility depending on your farm goals. Avoid over-grazing in the fall to increase the chances of Winter Triticale and Sweet Clover Overwintering. If grazing in the fall, allow ample time for plants to recover before freeze-up.

Did You Know? 96 percent of a plant comprises three elements: Carbon, Hydrogen & Oxygen. (water & sunlight)

Full Season Cover (overwinter)®

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

Haymaker Oats (7.5)

Plant Type: Cool Season Grass

Seed Quality: Certified #1 Standard

Variety: Haymaker

Why In The Blend? Haymaker Oats are a great nutrient scavenger due to their dense fibrous root system. One of the most mycorrhizal-dependent cereals. Large leaf surface gives forage oats the upper hand over regular oats when maximizing sunlight capture. (Photosynthesis)

S-01 Super Oats (6%)

Plant Type: Cool Season Grass

Seed Quality: Certified #1 Standard

Variety: CDC S-01 Super Oats

Why In The Blend? A low-lignin oat developed for cattle feed in 2006 by the Crop Development Center at the University of Saskatchewan and released to Super Oats Canada Ltd. These oats features a high-oil, more digestible groat that provides greater energy density for livestock compared to other oat varieties.

Forage Barley (7.5%)

Plant Type: Cool Season Grass

Seed Quality: Certified #1 Standard

Variety: Conlon

Why In The Blend: Forage Barley adds a cool-season cereal for increased diversity above and below the canopy.

Spring Triticale (6%)

Plant Type: Cool Season Grass

Seed Quality: Certified #1 Standard

Variety: Surge

Why In The Blend? Spring Triticale does well in a wide range of soil conditions, including lighter soils or areas with moderate levels of salinity. Provides increased diversity of root exudates from the cool season grass family to feed soil biology. High silage quality.

Soft White Wheat (11%)

Plant Type: Cool Season Grass

Seed Quality: Certified #1 Standard

Variety: Sadash

Why In The Blend? This is a popular soft white spring wheat variety in Canada known for its high yields and quality. It has short, strong straw and excellent standability.