Cart 0
Annual Blends Perennial Blends Price List
Producer Events Educational Library Farmer Testimonials Farmer Panels Cover Crop Funding Blog
Cart 0
Regenerating Small Farming Communities
 

Plant Diversity Co.

Swath Grazing Cover

The Swath Grazing Blend

 
Covers&Co-WebsiteAssets-BrandColour-#31424c.jpg
 

Waxy leaf surfaces (an evolutionary trait) of warm season plants have changed the swath grazing landscape. A blend including C4 plants such as Sorghum Sudan & German Millet allows the swath to shed moisture (rainfall) and hold palatability longer.

To learn more about the value of C4 plant species, click here.

 

Light Blue: Warm Season Plants Dark Blue: Cool Season Plants

Swath Grazing Cover

Plant Species in blend

C4 plants make this blend ideal for shedding moisture (rainfall) & avoiding spoilage when placed in a swath.

Seeding Rate: 60 Ibs/acre SKU: 2000 Ib Tote

Seed Tag: Learn More

Inoculant Required: Learn More

FCC Financing is now available for 2023-2024 seed purchases.

Swath Grazing Cover

Frequently Asked Questions

See below for the most frequently asked questions regarding the Swath Grazing Cover.

 
 
 

  • If applying Nitrogen, keep below 40 Ibs/actual.

    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.

  • Due to the waxy leaf surfaces of the warm season plant species (limited evapotranspiration) this makes the blend ideal in a swath for shedding moisture (rainfall) & avoiding spoilage.

    German Millet: Waxy Leaf

    Sorghum Sudan & Sorghum Sudan BMR: Waxy Leaf

    Non GMO Forage Soybean: Waxy Leaf

  • The Swath Grazing Cover will reach full biomass potential about 50-60 days after germination.

  • 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.

 

Swath Grazing Cover

Value of Waxy Leaf Surfaces

There are two main advantages of incorporating warm-season plants into the blend:

  1. Reduce evapotranspiration from within the leaf.

  2. The waxy leaf surfaces are ideal in a swath for shedding moisture (rainfall) & avoiding spoilage.

To learn more about the value of C4 plant species, click here.

Swath Grazing COVER

Pictures from farmers across the prairies

Click on the image to view a Compilation Of Pictures from farmers across Western Canada. (coming soon)

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.

 

The Swath Grazing Cover includes Sorghum Sudan & Sorghum Sudan BMR. This is simply due to the reduced lignin content & higher digestibility of the BMR trait. When present, the BMR trait (mutation) is associated with reduced lignin content and higher forage digestibility.

 

Swath Grazing COVER

Best Practices

Important To Note: These steps are crucial in setting up your Swath Grazing Cover for success.

STEP 1: Pre Burn (No Residual)

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: Fertilizer & Inoculant

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: Seeding Depth & Temperature

The seed depth we are trying to hit is 3 ⁄4 of an inch or up to 1 inch if moisture is available. Due to the warm season plant species, we need soil temperatures above 8 degrees Celcius.

STEP 4: Timing of Swathing

The exact timing of swathing will depend on your operation but the blend reaches maximum biomass at approximately 50-60 days after seeding, which serves as a good indicator for swath timing.

Farmer Panel Discussion

evolution of Swath Grazing

One of our most popular Farm Panel Discussions! Listen to three panelists from across Western Canada discuss their experiences with swath grazing.

Click on image to view the Farm Panel Discussion

Swath Grazing Cover

Swath Grazing Tips

Hear from Owen Taylor, who serves as the Territory Manager for Manitoba and is also a farmer. Discover valuable insights he has gained during his experience with swath grazing.

Contact Owen Taylor @ (204) 825-8399 if you have further questions!

Click on image to read more about Swath Grazing tips.

Swath Grazing Cover

Plant Species in the blend

See below for some general information regarding each plant species in the blend.

Featured
Sorghum Sudan
Sorghum Sudan

Warm Season Grass

Mycorrhizal dependent: Yes

Water Use: Low

Comments: The most valuable plant species in the blend. Sorghum Sudan is C4 grass, which allows for rapid biomass production in hot summer conditions. Sorghum Sudan has the ability to capture sunlight atop the canopy. Reduced lignin content and higher forage digestibility than corn makes it ideal for winter feed.

Sorghum Sudan BMR
Sorghum Sudan BMR

Warm Season Grass

Mycorrhizal dependent: Yes

Water Use: Low

Comments: Sorghum Sudangrass BMR doesn’t grow as tall as Sorghum Sudan but holds a reduced lignin content for higher digestibility. C4 grass able to photosynthesize most efficiently when temperatures are above 28 degrees C.

German Millet
German Millet

Warm Season Grass

Mycorrhizal dependent: Yes

Water Use: Low

Comments: Longer growing season than most millets. Extremely vegetative. Waxy leaf surface ideal for winter forage. C4 grass.

Buckwheat
Buckwheat

Warm Season Broadleaf

Mycorrhizal dependent: No

Water Use: Low

Comments: Due to its non-mycorrhizal association, root exudates are very good at solubilizing phosphorus. Beneficial to pollinators. Rapid establishment.

Sunflower
Sunflower

Warm Season Broadleaf

Mycorrhizal dependent: Yes

Water Use: Low

Comments: Flowers attract a large array of beneficial insects. Beneficial at solubilizing minerals in soil profile. (zinc)

Forage Oats
Forage Oats

Cool Season Grass

Mycorrhizal dependent: Yes

Water Use: Medium

Comments: Great nutrient scavenger due to dense fibrous root system. One of the most mycorrhizal dependent cereals.

Flax
Flax

Cool Season Broadleaf (Linum)

Mycorrhizal Dependent: Yes

Water Use: Medium

Comments: Highest mycorrhizal fungi-dependent plant. Having a small percentage in the blend helps promote the Arbuscular Mycorrhizal Fungi network.

Forage Peas
Forage Peas

Cool Season Legume

Mycorrhizal dependent: Yes

Water Use: Medium

Comments: Forage pea varieties focus on smaller seed size & increased biomass - rather than on grain yield. Rapid growth & establishment.

Purple Top Turnip
Purple Top Turnip

Cool Season Broadleaf (Brassica)

Mycorrhizal Dependent: No

Water Use: High

Comments: Highly nutritious brassica (digestibility & protein). Tuber scavenges nitrogen and other nutrients for slow release decomposition the following year.

Non GMO Forage Soybeans
Non GMO Forage Soybeans

Warm Season Legume

Mycorrhizal Dependent: Yes

Water Use: Medium

Comments: A non-gmo forage soybean. Can accumulate significant vegetative growth.

Teff Grass
Teff Grass

Warm Season Grass

Mycorrhizal Dependent: Yes

Water Use: Low

Comments: Warm season C4 grass that is commonly used for hay production or grazing. Excellent forage quality and rapid growth.

Italian Rye Grass
Italian Rye Grass

Cool Season Grass

Mycorrhizal Dependent: Yes

Water Use: Medium

Comments: Highly digestible with vigorous regrowth. Will not over-winter, unlike annual ryegrass. Fibrous root system is great for compaction. *new for 2022

Forage Barley
Forage Barley

Forage Barley (20%)

Plant Type: Cool Season Grass

Mycorrhizal Dependent: Yes

Water Use: Low

Comments: Forage Barley is early maturing & holds the highest salinity tolerance of all cool season grasses. Ideal for challenging areas of a field. This plant also holds the highest pH tolerance of all cool season grasses. In other words, this plant is best expressed in challenging field areas.

Plant Diversity Co.

Farmer Testimonials

To find testimonials from farmers across Western Canada who have implemented Covers blends on their farms.

You can find further farmer testimonials on social media via Facebook, Twitter & Instagram.

 

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?

Contact Us

Feel free to contact a member of Our Team to discuss where this blend might fit your operation.