Preparing for Late Summer/Fall Forage Seedlings

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• July and August are good times to start preparing for late summer or fall forage plantings.
• Soil pH should be the first item assessed.
• Excellent weed management is essential in establishing a quality forage stand.
• Work with your crop specialist to select the best species, seeding rates, and determine proper seeding depth for your area.

Are you planning to seed a new pasture or hay field for the 2024 production year & beyond?    If so, it is important to start making decisions in the window 60-90 days before planting. This article will discuss some basic considerations to make before seeding your forage in the late summer and fall.

Soil  Test

Taking a fresh soil test in July to early August allows you time to address fertility imbalances which may hinder the establishment of a productive new stand of forages. The correction of soil pH is a top priority. Grasses prefer a pH of at least 6.0, while clovers and alfalfa will establish and persist better at a pH of 6.4-6.6. Apply lime as soon as possible to begin that pH correction process, as it takes several months for soil pH to change significantly, especially in a no-till or minimal till situation.

Manage Weeds

Evaluate the field for undesirable perennial weed infestations and apply herbicides accordingly, allowing time for herbicide residual to dissipate prior to seeding. Follow herbicide product label guidelines on reseeding intervals. It may require two separate herbicide application efforts to eliminate certain hard-to-kill grasses and weeds.

Optimize Seeding Rates

Determine your farm’s geographically ideal seeding time range and be ready to complete a new seeding while the weather and soil conditions are right. It is important to have new seedings well established prior to the onset of the cold weather dormancy period. Winter heaving of cold/wet soil frequently results in failed seedings if root development is minimal.

Plant the Seed at the Proper Depth

A common cause of seeding failures is placing the seed too deep. Set the drill planting depth in an area typical of the entire field, not on the headland where equipment traffic has compacted the soil. Most forage grasses should not be seeded deeper than ½ inch. To get the correct planting depth, plant residue needs to be minimized or easily cut by the drill. Seed to soil contact is crucial for proper moisture uptake by the seed and this can be hindered by plant residue.