Plant Diversity Co.
Warm Season Cover
The Short Season Forage Blend
C4 plants such as Sorghum Sudan & German Millet have evolved to photosynthesize more efficiently in high temperatures to accumulate significantly more biomass than their C3 counterparts such as Oats or Barley. This makes C4 plants ideal for sowing as a short-season forage option. Expect 55-70 days to maturity from germination.
Ideal for unseeded/prevent plant acres.
To learn more about the value of C4 plant species, click here.
Warm Season Cover®
plant Species in blend
We recommend sowing this blend from the first week of June to July 15th, when soil temperatures are above 10 degrees Celsius and there is no chance of frost.
Seeding Rate: 60 Ibs/acre SKU: 2000 Ib Tote
Seeding Time: June 10th - July 15th
Use On The Farm: Sod Seeding, Swath Grazing, Silage/Dry Hay
Day To Maturity: 55-70 days
Seed Tag: Click here
Inoculant Required: Learn More
FCC Financing is available for 2025-2026 seed purchases.
Warm SEASON COVER®
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
See below for the most frequently asked questions regarding the Warm 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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To maximize plant diversity, delay seeding until soil temperature is greater than 10 degrees C. This is due to warm season plants having very little frost tolerance.
Seed the Warm Season Cover at a seeding depth of 3/4 inch - 1 inch -
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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Sow this blend after a winter triticale or cereal rye harvest. This is commonly referred to as Double Cropping. Or consider these other options:
Sow after the termination of a perennial hay stand.
Sow after a hail storm or prevent plant situation.
Sowing into sod. (We recommend an application of 40 Ibs/acre of actual Nitrogen)
Sow after Winter Triticale or Cereal Rye greenfeed or silage crop
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Harvest Options: Silage, Dry Hay, Grazing, Swath Grazing.
The Warm Season Cover will reach full biomass potential about 55-70 days after germination.Cut Early: Less biomass, more regrowth, higher protein.
Cut Later: More biomass, less regrowth, lower protein.
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Yes, this blend is ideal for Swath Grazing.
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.
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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.
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.
Warm Season Cover®
The value of c4 plants
The Warm Season Cover® is composed of primarily warm season (C4) plant species. This allows you to put the right plant species in the right context (warm season plants = summer months).
Warm Season Plants (C4) have evolved in hot/dry environments.
Cool Season Plants (C3) have evolved in cool/wet environments.
Warm 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. 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 (10 degrees C) allows the warm season species to establish & avoid frost risk - increasing the potential for yield, feed quality & drought resilience.
Warm Season Cover®
Seeding Scenerios
Use within your own context and farm goals:
Sowing into Sod
Unseeded Acres
Sow after Winter Triticale or Cereal Rye harvest
Sow after the termination of a perennial hay stand
Sow after a hail storm or prevent plant situation
We encourage you to benchmark the transformation plant diversity can have on your soil by following the water infiltration protocol.
Warm Season Cover®
Harvest Scenerios
Use within your own context and farm goals:
Dry Hay
Silage
Grazing
Green Manure
Swath Grazing
Expect Italian Rye Grass to compose the majority of the regrowth from the Warm Season Cover.
Important To Note: Grazing or cutting for winter forage should take place before a killing frost due to prussic acid concerns.
WARM SEASON COVER®
What To Expect for Feed Value/Quality?
Expect the feed test to be higher energy due to the C4 grasses in the blend. (Sorghum Sudan, German Millet)
Expect good to moderate protein > corn silage. (due to vegetative legumes)
TDN: 70 (average based on a compilation of feed tests)
Protein: 9.5 (average based on a compilation of feed tests)
“Warm-season plants grow relatively slowly during the first four to five weeks after seeding due to the biological taxing process of cell division. Once the cell divisions are complete, C4 plants can grow quite rapidly. The optimum daytime temperature for growth is 30+ C. C4 plants are more water-efficient and drought-tolerant than C3 plants. C4s have a waxy leaf surface that reduces water evaporation from the leaf surface.”
Government of Saskatchewan
Warm 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 Warm 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
Warm Season Cover®
Farmer Testimonials
To find testimonials from farmers across Western Canada who have implemented the Warm 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.
Warm Season Cover®
Local 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 find an upcoming Farmer Meeting 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 Warm 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)