To reach full potential of the forage part of the business, Mother Nature must comply with provision of excellent growing conditions, but the manager (you) must be part of a successful team with Mother Nature and professionals, too. Employing a proper soil fertility program, seeding at a proper time, using a correct seeding rate, and harvesting/grazing at the right growth stage are part of the decisions that need to be made. Crop scouting and following through with management decisions during the growing season are critical to success. But before all of the above can be done, deliberating what forage species and varieties within a forage species will be used to renovate an existing stand or establish a new hay or pasture field need to be done, too. The things I ultimately consider when seeding perennial forages are yield, quality and persistence. Summer-annual forages can’t survive winter temperatures, but potential yield[Read More…]