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 50-60 days to maturity from germination.
Ideal for unseeded/prevent plant acres.
To learn more about the value of C4 plant species, click here.
Light Blue: Warm Season Plants Dark Blue: Cool Season Plants
Warm Season Cover
plant Species in blend
We recommend sowing this blend from mid-May to early June when soil conditions are 8-10 degrees and no chance of frost.
Seeding Rate: 60 Ibs/acre SKU: 2000 Ib Tote
Seed Tag: Click here
Inoculant Required: Learn More
FCC Financing is available for 2024-2025 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.
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, delaying seeding until soil temperature is greater than 8 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 -
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.
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Harvest Options: Silage, Dry Hay, Grazing, Swath Grazing.
The Warm Season Cover will reach full biomass potential about 50-60 days after germination.Cut Early: Less biomass, more regrowth, higher protein.
Cut Later: More biomass, less regrowth, lower protein.
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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.
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.
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
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 on 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
Farmer Testimonial/timeline
"This was a non-productive hay field in the middle of a drought. We weren't expecting much but we figured something would be better than nothing. Just for the cost of the seed/inoculant, we are pretty happy with how it turned out. "
~Mark Taylor. Mather, Manitoba
Image: June 30th. Accumulated rainfall: 16 mm
Image: July 27th. Accumulated rainfall: 29 mm
Image: September 14th. Accumulated rainfall: 143 mm
Did You Know? 96 percent of a plant comprises three elements: Carbon, Hydrogen & Oxygen. (water & sunlight)
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 legumes)
TDN: 70 (average based on a compilation of feed tests)
Protein: 9.5 (average based on a compilation of feed tests)
Grazing or cutting for winter forage should occur before a killing frost due to prussic acid concerns.
“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
See below for some general information regarding each plant species in the blend.
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 $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?
We are farmers ourselves
Feel free to contact your Provincial Territory Manager if you have any further questions regarding the Warm Season Cover.
