Overall, however, it’s an expensive
solution, says Thornton, estimating the
cost at around $300 per acre. It may also
take approximately two years for the
new crop to come up to full production.
Around the new year is a good time
to decide what forages to seed. Generally,
seed is in good supply and early purchase
can sometimes include a small discount,
Thornton says. Producers leaving it until
spring risk suppliers being sold out of the
most suitable varieties.
Manitoba Agriculture says spring
is an optimal time to seed due to cooler
temperatures and available moisture.
Summer plantings aren’t always as successful,
but can work during cooler summers
with sufficient rain, the department
adds.
Fall seeding of grasses can also be
an option if there is moisture and good
temperatures, Manitoba Agriculture
says. The new seedlings need adequate
time to establish before frost.
Alfalfa is not recommended for fall
seeding as it takes too long to become a
perennial able to withstand Manitoba’s
winter, Thornton says. FV
FORAGE RESTORATION
Stresses to pastures can include overgrazing, flooding, drought, and low nutrients.
P R O V E N B Y D E S I G N
The way we see it, the Proven® Seed lineup is state of the art. Proven Seed offers leading edge technology you can
count on in canola, cereals, corn, soybeans and forages. You get disease management, high yields and performance
from every seed, across all your acres. No matter how you look at it, there’s a Proven Seed that fits your farm.
Proven® Seed is a registered trademark of Nutrien Ag Solutions (Canada) Inc. Nutrien Ag Solutions™ and Design is a trademark of Nutrien Ag Solutions, Inc. 09/18-61820-1
gozzoli / 123rf
Manitoba Farmers’ Voice § Winter 2019 § 31