Albert Lea Seed House 2017 Cover Crop Seed Guide

BIOMASS COVER CROPS Pacific Gold Mustard 07 NEW! • Certified, Non-GMO variety of brown mustard bred specifically for cover cropping • Excellent biomass production and rapid growth. • Good competitive ability with weeds • High levels of plant glucosinolates can reduce pathogenic soil fungi and nematodes. Chop or mow the mustard prior to incorporation to maximize effect • Mustards do not thrive in mixtures with other cover crops • Control plant before seed set to avoid volunteer weed issues Planting Date: August 1st - September 15th Seeding: 15-20 lbs/acre Conventional Certified Blue Tag ____________$3.80/lb _____________________________ $190.00/25lb bag Annual Ryegrass* The most economical grass choice for cover cropping. High seeds/lb and rapid growing plant with an extensive root system that builds soil structure and holds soil in place. Very good cold tolerance, can survive the winter if planted in zone 5 or warmer. Excellent for fall grazing and forage; although oats and winter rye will give you more tonnage. Very good candidate for aerial application. • Low-cost cover crop that be seeded at last cultivation V6 or flown on into standing corn or soybeans • Well adapted to varying soil types • Root structure will be large even though above-ground growth may be minimal • May have winter survival more North based on the severity of the winter • Be prepared to spray or till in the spring to ensure complete kill Planting Date: August 1st - September 15th Seeding: 15-25 lbs/acre Conventional ______________ $0.72/lb $36.00/50lb bag Organi c __________________ $1.50/lb $75.00/50lb bag * = variety not stated Yellow Mustard* • Economical choice for cover cropping • Good fit frost seeded before soybeans or flown on in the fall • Control plant at first flower to avoid seed set and volunteer weed issues Planting Date: August 1st - September 15th Seeding: 15-20 lbs/acre Conventional __________________ $1.10/lb $55.00/50b bag Purple Top Turnips • Hardy, leafy, large-rooted brassica that produces abundant biomass above and below ground • Excellent fall grazing potential • Good competitor with weeds and thrives on all soil types • Will scavenge N and other excess nutrients in the soil and prevent them from leaching • Due to increasingly mild winters, Turnips will not reliably winterkill in MN/WI/SD/IA every year Planting Date: August 1st - September 15th Seeding: 4-6 lbs/acre Conventional _________________ $1.60/lb $80.00/50lb bag Organic ______ Available August 2017 NEW! Phacelia* • Non-leguminous annual broadleaf with fern-like leaves and purple blossoms • Provides early-season soil coverage and produces abundant flowers that are very attractive to pollinators Flowers 6-8 weeks after emergence • Will winterkill at 18°F and reside breaks down quickly Plant early enough in the fall • Avoid broadcasting/aerial application Drill: July 15th – September 1st Seeding: 7-12 lbs/acre Conventional __________________ $3.90/lb $97.50/25lb bag Dwarf Essex Rape • A succulent, leafy and quick growing fall brassica • Good biomass accumulation; especially ideal for fall grazing. Leafier and taller growing than turnips • We like dwarf essex rape in cover crop blends for its rapid and vigorous growth, low cost and high seeds/lb • Has tested better than radishes for aerial application under dry soil conditions • Due to increasingly mild winters, Dwarf Essex Rape will not reliably winterkill in MN/WI/SD/IA every year Planting Date: August 1st - September 15th Seeding: 4-8 lbs/acre Conventional _________________ $1.10/lb $55.00/50lb bag

Albert Lea Seed House 2017 Cover Crop Seed Guide | Page 7