Rejuvenation Cover

The Rejuvenation Cover has been designed to be used in worn out, under producing pastures or hay fields that need a production/ diversity boost. In most cases this cover will be used on fields that producers are not wanting break up or cycling out into annual cropping. As well as marginal acres that could have wetlands and bushes throughout.

1. Direct Seeding: into an existing sod stand would be a first-choice method of seeding. This will ensure good seed to soil contact with all species in the mix and give them the best scenario to have success at germinating. Ideally a no till drill would be used to have minimal impact on the current species that are growing in the stand. Availability of these drills can be low so utilize the type of equipment that you have available if last resort.

2. Broadcast: If your field is in marginal land or you don’t have access to sufficient seeding equipment, we have developed the cover to be used in an aerial application situation. Drones, planes, spin spreaders could be used to seed. Patience (1-3 years) will be the most important factor, especially when broadcast seeding this cover.

Patience and a mind-set change will be critical when trying this cover and wanting to see results. As we are introducing very small seeds to an already growing sod it will be crucial to make some management changes to allow these seeds to have a chance to establish at some point.

1. Seeding in early spring followed by a high impact grazing and long recovery.

2. Seeding mid spring after a grazing has occurred, followed by season long recovery until the next spring.

3. Fall seeding in a dormant state with hopes the seedlings will utilize early season moisture and get ahead of already established forages.

These are a few of options that could be used but the list in endless, the biggest thing is change needs to be made. The hopes in year one is to get seeds into the seed bed and if direct seeded, then to see some germination. High amounts of production will likely not be seen in year one. This is a process that will take a few years to develop!

We have developed this blend to be seeded at 5-10 lbs/acre.

1. 5 lbs/acre could be used to reduce cost, most likely in the direct seeding situation, in a wet environment with a lower percentage of grass population. This rate could also be used if producers are leery of having high amounts of bloat able legumes in their pasture stand in an event where germination responded very well.

2. 10 lbs/acre would be suggested if in a broadcast setting as there is a higher percent chance more seeds don’t get the correct seed to soil contact that they need to germinate. Dryer environments could also benefit from a higher seeded rate to try and increase our chances of germination and success. If more intense management for grazing systems is being implementing, then a higher seeding rate with a high germination rate wouldn’t be a worry as producers will have a better grasp on controlling intakes on more legumes.

Diversity has always proved to come out on top when working with Mother Nature. In perennial pasture systems, species that are dominate from year to year can change with different weather conditions, soil types and as soil health improves. The reason for so much diversity in this mix is to set producers from all different contexts up for success.

Some species will work much better in some environments over others. Species will also change dominance in a stand over time while soils are improving. Something that germinates in year 1 might not be as dominant as something that has a chance to thrive in year 4 post seeding.

Perennial seeds can sit dormant in our soils and express themselves when the time is right. Very much the same as many native species that start showing up in pastures systems that have been in production for long periods of time.

We have utilized 4 types of alfalfas to make up a large portion of the blend. All 4 of them have different characteristics which we feel will put producers in a good position to succeed in different environments as well as different regions across their specific fields.

• Creeping Root Purple Blossom Alfalfa has the same root structure as the newly incorporated Yellow Blossom Falcata Alfalfa. Both of these root systems have the ability to hold their own in grass based stand well after establishing. They perform well by adding coverage to a larger foot print than a tap root and seek moisture/nutrients at different levels that the standard tap root.

• We are very excited to introduce to Falcata Yellow Blossom Alfalfa to this mix as it has some very great characteristics most grazers will benefit from. The Falcata is a yellow flowering alfalfa that has abilities to hold onto quality longer after maturing, its thin stem makes the entire plant much more desirable for overall consumption and its been proven to stay in stands for much longer on average that most purple blossom alfalfas.

• Tap rooted alfalfa is a very common root structure in most pasture and hay land stands. Its ability to source moisture deep in the soil profile and seek nutrients in depleted soils is like no other.

• Lastly we have added a Branch Rooted Alfalfa that has the abilities to withstand wet environments that could have water standing for longer periods of time after significant rain events. Instead of drowning in high water table regions the branch root is developed to thrive.