Grasses
Sorghum Sudan (Sweet Six Dry Stalk BMR) - Hybrid
Sweet Six Dry Stalk BMR is designed for use in haying or silage situations in non-arid environments. The stalk will shatter when harvested, helping to speed the dry down process. The BMR trait contributes to a highly digestible forage option for livestock.
from $1.70 per lb
Spring Forage Barley (Lavina) - Beardless
Barley has relatively low water usage compared to other cover crop species, especially during earlier growth stages. Under poor fertility conditions, barley would be a good choice and can help render P & K available for your next crop. Barley provides a good feed quality grain that can be harvested 2-3 weeks earlier than wheat which then allows your double crop/cover to be planted sooner.
from $0.45 per lb
Endurance AT BMR Dwarf Sorghum Sudan
Endurance aphid tolerant BMR dwarf sorghum sudan is bred for short stature and high digestibility. Don't mistake shorter stature for less biomass, though. The dwarf trait simply shortens the length in between the leaves, called the internode length, while still growing the same number of leaves. The shorter plant makes it easier for livestock to graze and utilize efficiently.
from $1.60 per lb
Sorghum Sudan BMR PPS
The dense rooting system associated with this species, can really aid in breaking up and penetrating compacted soils. Nematode suppression is achieved because this species is a poor host for many nematodes and nematicidal chemical compounds are excreted by the plant through its roots. Mowing when the plants are 3-4 ft tall has been shown to stimulate root growth to expand 5-8 times as dense and penetrate twice as deep. Sorgoleone is powerful root exudate released by the plant, which even in low concentrations has proven to be more effective than commercial herbicides in weed control. This chemical can be released just five days after germination but is greatly released when chemically killed, with the effects lasting for weeks. Under ideal conditions, forage can be harvested within 60 days after planting. If you leave 6-8" of growth from the first harvest then you could expect a second cutting 30 days later. There are sterile cultivars available to eliminate weed risk potential.
from $1.80 per lb
Exceed BMR Pearl Millet
Pearl millet is among the best grazing or haying millet varieties. Exceed BMR Pearl Millet also offers the BMR trait allowing the animal to better digest the plant for optimal nutritional efficiency to the animal. Pearl millet is very adaptable to its growing environment with great tillering allowing for more forage and better ground coverage with less seed.
from $2.55 per lb
Meadow Brome
Meadow brome is a bunchgrass resembling smooth brome but behaving more like orchard grass, only with more drought tolerance. Like orchard grass, it has good regrowth and is one of the better grasses for stockpiling in winter, though it is still distinctly inferior to fescue for that purpose.
from $5.30 per lb
from $1.40 per lb
Spring Oats (Rushmore)
Spring oats are an excellent choice for quick ground cover in the spring or fall. Rapid growth aids in stabilizing disturbed or bare soil from environmental conditions. Spring oats make a great addition to any spring grazing or forage mix providing ample tonnage for your livestock. Oats can be easily chemically terminated and fall plantings commonly winterkill. Residue from oats suppress winter annuals and protect the soil throughout the winter and will decompose rapidly in the spring. Allelopathic chemicals released by the decomposing residue suppress weed germination for a few weeks. The high quality oat forage is more palatable than rye or wheat. Also, oat is less prone to insect problems than either wheat or barley.
from $0.38 per lb
Scout 66 Forage Wheat
Scout 66 Forage Wheat is a hard, red winter wheat with excellent forage quality and yield. This variety also has good winter hardiness. Scout 66 is a great option for dryland forage production during the fall, winter, and spring months.
from $0.35 per lb
Annual Ryegrass (Ranahan) - Tetraploid
Annual ryegrass stands out as a captivating and remarkable grass within the realm of cover crops. It offers a plethora of advantages, including winter grazing, impressive yields, and an often underrated impact on breaking through compacted soils. Notably, tetraploid ryegrass boasts rapid establishment, extended and broader leaves, but that comes with a reduced cold tolerance when compared to its diploid annual ryegrass.
from $1.15 per lb
Annual Ryegrass (Centurion) - Diploid
Extending the grazing season while protecting and building the soil is a great benefit of this species. The biomass N content can range from 1.3-2.4% and varies depending on the amount of residual N left from the previous crop. Reports of annual ryegrass having the potential to scavenge up to 200 lbs of residual N/A/yr have been recorded. Ryegrass can be very successfully broadcast into established row crops. Winter killed ryegrass can still provide weed suppression, soil protection and trap residual N until spring. Ryegrass attracts very few pest insects that could pester the next crop. With lower needed seeding rates per acre means you will spend less of freight an your applicator can remain in the drill or in the air longer. I like the deep roots of annual ryegrass but when considering it for more northern area, it must be established prior to hard freezing in order to have the best chance of winter survival. keith@greencoverseed.com
from $1.00 per lb
Intermediate Wheatgrass
Intermediate wheatgrass is probably the most productive of the western grasses, relatively equal to orchard grass, tall fescue, or smooth brome in yield potential, with much more drought tolerance. It is a strong bunchgrass and tends to lose quality upon maturity.
from $5.05 per lb
Climax Timothy
Climax Timothy grass has excellent palatability while vegetative. It is an excellent species to use for hay, especially for horses. Though many varieties lack drought, heat, and grazing tolerance, Climax timothy is an improved variety and can be added to any cool season pasture.
from $3.05 per lb
SugarCrest Festulolium
SugarCrest Festulolium is a perennial ryegrass crossed with meadow fescue. This grass exhibits superior forage quality, winter-hardiness, drought tolerance, and excellent seedling vigor. This is a great option for anyone looking for a high yielding, high quality forage. Learn more about SugarCrest Festulolium here.
from $7.10 per lb