512 - 1
paSTURE AND HAY PLANTING
SPECIFICATIONS
NE-NRCS, TG Sec. IV
May 1994
Pasture and Hay Planting S-512 - 1
General
All operations in seedbed preparation and seeding should be performed across the general slope of fields when appropriate.
Where water erosion is a concern, use a minimum of 6 PLS/Acre of sod forming grasses.
Limestone and Fertilizer
Use the University of Nebraska’s recommendations for lime and fertilizer applications as determined by soil test.
Seedbed Preparation
The seedbed should be weed-free, reasonably smooth, protected from erosion, friable, and firm at time of seeding with acceptable moisture in the root zone.
Tilled Seedbeds
- Tillage will be timely for weed control and moisture conservation.
- Tillage equipment that will leave residue on the soil surface is favored.
- Tillage methods that work the soil deeper than 3 to 4 inches will require disking and harrowing one or more times to firm the seedbed.
No-till Seedbed
- Competition from annual or perennial weeds and grasses will be controlled with chemicals. All chemicals used must be registered, handled and applied in accordance with product label directions.
- For guidance in rates, product and time of application refer to the GUIDE FOR HERBICIDE USE IN NEBRASKA (Section II-Water Quantity and Quality Interpretations).
- Prescribed burning could be used to reduce excessive plant residue that may inhibit drilling. Refer to the Prescribed Burning Standard and specification (338).
- Mechanical removal of vegetation may be needed if residue is excessive.
Standing Cover Crops
In all vegetative zones, any weed free crop stubble may be used, providing there is adequate cover to protect the seedlings and soils from wind and water erosion.
Small Grain Stubble
Allelopathic effects may be present in the small grain fields. If a known effect exists, a cover crop other than small grain should be planted.
Planting
Use a grass drill equipped with double disk furrow openers with depth bands and packer wheels or no-till drill. [1]
Grain drills or cultipacker-type seeders are satisfactory, provided that the seeding mechanism will handle the type of seed being planted.
Broadcasting is permissible if seed is covered and seedbed firmed with a disk (disk blades set straight), treader, or harrow. Increase seeding rates by 50 percent if seed is broadcast. Drilling of seed is superior to broadcasting the seed.
Best results are obtained when a cross-drilling operation is performed, using half the seed in each operation.
Depth of planting
- Loams, silty clay loams, and silty clays, plant ¼” to ½” deep
- Loamy sands, sandy loams, and sands, plant ¾” to 1” deep
The minimum seeding rate is 30 P.L.S. per square foot for non-irrigated pasture and hayland (except Eastern gama grass) and 60 P.L.S. per square foot for irrigated pasture and hayland.
A tolerance of 5% is allowed from minimum seeding requirements.
An annual companion crop of small grains may be seeded in clean seedbeds to control erosion and manage weeds with cool-season grasses or legumes. Control the companion crop mechanically or chemically to prevent competition to seeded species, as needed.
When renovating pasture by interseeding legumes directly into sod and other management of existing vegetation, refer to Range Technical Note No. 51.
Mixing extenders with small grass seeds will improve seed flow and distribution.
Time of Planting
Seeding dates may be adjusted 1 to 2 weeks from normal planting dates when climatic conditions dictate.
Dominantly cool season grasses: August 1 to September 15 and November 1 to April 15.
November 1 to May 20 (for cool- and warm-season grasses and legumes). All vegetative zones (optimum March 1 to May 15).
Dominantly warm season grasses: November 1 to May 31 (optimum March 1 to May 20), unless the soil temperature is less than 55 degrees.
Under Irrigation: cool-season grasses and legumes can be planted from April 1 - June 15 to August 1 - September 15 for all vegetative zones.
Seed
Legume seed shall be inoculated in accordance with the directions on the inoculant container. Use the correct inoculant for each legume species.
Seed labeling, quality, and seed testing will be in accordance with the Nebraska Seed Law.
- It is unlawful for any person to sell, offer for sale, expose for sale, or transport for sale any agricultural seed within Nebraska, unless the test to determine the percentage of germination required shall have been completed within a 12 month period or 6 months between states, exclusive of the calendar month in which the test was completed.
- A copy of current analysis of germination and purity must be furnished regardless of who grows or sells the seed.
Seed Source
Grass seed must meet the distance (mileage) requirements for common/native ecotype seed or certified grass variety restrictions in accordance with Section II Pastureland and Hayland Interpretations “Adapted Grass Varieties” and “Certified Perennial Grass Varieties Recommended for Nebraska” Extension publication EC90-120. Forb species and seed must be adapted to the site as shown in Section II Rangeland Interpretations and Pastureland and Hayland Interpretations.
Certified varieties that are best suited to meet client objectives are recommended. If certified varieties of perennial grasses are not available, it is permissible to use common/native ecotype seed originating from the same general locality of the planting site according to adapted grass variety restrictions in Section II-Pastureland and Hayland Interpretations.
Forb species and seed must be adapted to the site as shown in Section II-Pastureland and Hayland interpretations.
Management
Seedings should be protected from grazing until the stand is fully established.
Weeds should be controlled by mowing, spraying with labeled herbicides, or flash grazing. When weed/grass height differential is sufficient, a wick applicator may be used for applying a nonselective translocated herbicide. Generally, the seeded grass should be in at least a five-leaf stage before spraying unless weed canopy will intercept most spray. All chemicals used must be registered, handled and applied in accordance with product label directions. For guidelines at the time of application refer to the GUIDE FOR HERBICIDE USE IN NEBRASKA (Section II - Water Quantity and Quality).
When weedy grasses, foxtail, barnyardgrass, sandbur, annual bromes, crabgrass, or other annual grasses threaten seeding establishment, they should be mowed or shredded. Mowing or shredding should be discontinued in late July to early August. The height of mowing or shredding must be such that more leaves are cut from weedy grasses than from seeded grasses.
Grazing will not be done when soils are wet and soil compaction or severe trampling would occur.
Flash Grazing
Use flash grazing until the height and time of grazing reaches the point of 15% defoliation of seeded plants. Length of grazing period, number of animals, and soil condition should be considered before flash grazing. See your NRCS Range Management Specialist or extension specialist to assist with grazing guidelines.
Seeding Rates and Mixtures
Seeding rates and mixtures for different pasture suitability groups are to be designed from the attached charts (Table 1 and 2) by vegetative zones.
Procedure for Using Charts
Determine soil and pasture suitability group (Section II-Pastureland and Hayland Interpretations or Soil Legends). Design a suitable mixture of compatible grasses or single species for pasture suitability group. Example: Nora soil 10% slope in Zone 4, dryland pasture. Nora soil would be in pasture suitability group A.
Client is concerned with bloat, but would like a legume in pasture to reduce nitrogen use. A mixture of 50% cicer milkvetch and 50% bromegrass was selected; 0.50 x 10 pounds = 5 lbs bromegrass and 0.5 x 10 = 5 lbs vetch is the planting rate of each, per acre.
NE-T.G. Notice 479
Section IV
NRCS-NOVEMBER 1999
Pasture and Hay Planting S-512 - 1
PASTURE AND HAY
PLANTING ADAPTED SPECIES AND SEEDING RATES FOR VEGETATIVE ZONES 1DRYLAND - TABLE 1
Seeding Rate[2]Type Lbs.PLS/Ac / Pasture and Hayland Groups
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 B1 B2 C1 C2 F1 G1
Cool-Season Grass
Russian wildrye / B / 7.5 / G / G / F / F / F / G / - / F / - / - / F
Crested wheatgrass / B / 7.5 / G / F / - / - / G / F / - / - / - / F / -
Creeping foxtail [3][4] / S / 1.8 / F / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / G / - / F
Int. wheatgrass / S / 14.9 / G / G / F / F / G / F / - / F / - / F / F
Pub. Wheatgrass / S / 13.1 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / - / - / G / -
Reed canarygrass / S / 2.5 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / G / - / F
Smooth bromegrass 2 / S / 9.7 / G / F / - / - / F / F / - / F / - / - / F
Meadow bromegrass / B / 18.4 / G / F / - / - / - / - / - / F / - / - / -
Tall fescue / B / 5.8 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / - / F
Tall wheatgrass / B / 16.6 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / F / - / G
Western wheatgrass / S / 11.9 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / F / F / G / G
Timothy 23 / S / 1.1 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / - / - / F
Warm-Season Grass
Switchgrass / S / 3.4 / G / F / F / F / G / F / F / G / F / - / G
Little bluestem / B / 5.0 / G / F / F / F / G / F / F / G / F / - / G
Sideoats grama / B / 6.9 / G / F / F / F / G / F / F / G / F / - / G
Legumes
Alfalfa [5] / 6.6 / G / G / F / F / G / G / - / F / - / F / -
Birdsfoot trefoil / 3.5 / F / F / - / - / F / - / - / F / F / F / G
Cicer milkvetch / 9.6 / G / F / - / - / G / F / - / F / - / F / F
Red clover / 4.8 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / F / - / F
Sweet clover2 / 5.0 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / G / F / F / G
G = Good, F = Fair, - = not suited, S = Sod forming grass, B = Bunch grass
PASTURE AND HAY PLANTING
ADAPTED SPECIES AND SEEDING RATES FOR VEGETATIVE ZONES 1IRRIGATED - TABLE 2
Seeding Rate[6]Type Lbs.PLS/Ac / Pasture and Hayland Groups
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 B1 B2 C1 C2 F1 G1
Cool-Season Grass
Creeping foxtail [7] / S / 3.6 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / G / G / F / F
Int. wheatgrass / S / 29.8 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / - / - / G / F
Meadow bromegrass / S / 36.8 / G / G / F / G / G / G / F / - / - / G / -
Orchardgrass 2 / B / 4.0 / G / G / F / G / G / G / F / - / - / - / -
Smooth bromegrass / S / 19.4 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / - / - / F / F
Tall wheatgrass / B / 33.2 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / F / - / G
Tall fescue / B / 11.6 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / F / - / G
Reed canarygrass / S / 5.0 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / G / - / F
Pub. wheatgrass / S / 26.2 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / - / - / G / -
Timothy 2[8] / S / 2.2 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / - / - / F
Warm-Season Grass
Indiangrass / S / 15.0 / G / G / F / F / G / G / F / G / F / F / G
Switchgrass / S / 6.8 / G / G / F / F / G / G / F / G / F / F / G
Big bluestem / S / 16.0 / G / G / F / F / G / G / F / G / F / F / G
Little bluestem / B / 10.0 / G / G / F / F / G / G / F / G / F / F / G
Sideoats grama / B / 13.8 / G / G / F / F / G / G / F / G / F / F / G
Legumes
Alfalfa[9] / 13.2 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / - / - / G / -
Birdsfoot trefoil / 7.0 / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / G / G
Cicer milkvetch / 19.2 / G / G / F / F / G / G / G / F / - / G / F
Alsike clover 3 / 3.8 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / F / - / F
G = Good, F = Fair, - = not suited, S = Sod forming grass, B = Bunch grass
PASTURE AND HAY PLANTING
ADAPTED SPECIES AND SEEDING RATES FOR VEGETATIVE ZONE 2DRYLAND - TABLE 1
Seeding Rate[10]Type Lbs.PLS/Ac / Pasture and Hayland Groups
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 B1 B2 C1 C2 F1 G1
Cool-Season Grass
Crested wheatgrass / B / 7.5 / G / F / - / - / G / G / - / - / - / G / -
Creeping foxtail [11] / S / 1.8 / F / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / G / - / F
Int. wheatgrass / S / 14.9 / G / G / G / G / G / F / - / F / - / F / F
Meadow bromegrass / B / 18.4 / F / F / - / - / F / - / - / F / - / - / -
Orchardgrass / B / 2.0 / F / - / - / - / F / - / - / F / - / - / -
Pub. wheatgrass / S / 13.1 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / - / - / G / -
Reed canarygrass / S / 2.5 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / G / - / F
Smooth bromegrass 2 / S / 9.7 / G / G / F / F / G / F / - / F / - / F / F
Tall fesue / B / 5.8 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / F / - / F
Tall wheatgrass / B / 16.6 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / F / - / G
Western wheatgrass / B / 11.9 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / F / F / G / G
Timothy 2 / S / 1.1 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / - / - / F
Warm-Season Grass
Switchgrass / S / 3.4 / G / G / F / F / G / G / F / G / F / F / G
Big bluestem / S / 8.0 / G / G / F / F / G / G / F / G / F / F / G
Indiangrass / S / 7.5 / G / G / F / F / G / G / F / G / F / F / G
Sand lovegrass / B / 1.0 / F / - / - / - / G / G / F / - / - / F / -
Sand bluestem / S / 11.5 / F / - / - / - / G / G / F / - / - / F / -
Prairie sandreed / S / 4.9 / G / G / F / F / G / G / F / G / F / F / G
Little bluestem / B / 5.0 / G / G / F / F / G / G / F / G / F / F / G
Sideoats grama / B / 6.9 / G / G / F / F / G / G / F / G / F / F / G
Legumes
Birdsfoot trefoil / 3.5 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / F / F / G
Cicer milkvetch / 9.6 / G / F / - / - / G / G / F / F / - / F / F
Red clover / 4.8 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / G / - / F
Sweet clover 2 / 5.0 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / G / F / F / G
Alsike clover [12] / 1.9 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / F / - / F
Alfalfa[13] / 6.6 / G / G / G / G / G / G / - / F / - / F / -
G = Good, F = Fair, - = not suited, S = Sod forming grass, B = Bunch grass
PASTURE AND HAY PLANTING
ADAPTED SPECIES AND SEEDING RATES FOR VEGETATIVE ZONE 2IRRIGATED - TABLE 2
Seeding Rate[14]Type Lbs.PLS/Ac / Pasture and Hayland Groups
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 B1 B2 C1 C2 F1 G1
Cool-Season Grass
Creeping foxtail [15] / S / 3.6 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / G / G / G / F
Int. wheatgrass / S / 29.8 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / - / - / G / -
Meadow bromegrass / B / 36.8 / G / G / F / G / G / G / F / - / - / G / -
Orchardgrass2 / B / 4.0 / G / G / F / G / G / G / F / - / - / G / -
Smooth bromegrass / S / 19.4 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / - / - / G / -
Tall wheatgrass / B / 33.2 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / F / - / G
Tall fescue / B / 11.6 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / F / - / G
Reed canarygrass / S / 5.0 / F / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / G / - / F
Pub. Wheatgrass / S / 26.2 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / - / - / G / -
Timothy 2 / S / 2.2 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / F / - / F
Warm-Season Grass
Eastern gamagrass / B / 16.0[16] / G / G / - / - / G / - / - / G / G / - / -
Little blustem / B / 10.0 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / - / - / F / -
Sideoats grama / B / 13.8 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / - / - / F / -
Indiangrass / S / 15.0 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / F / F
Switchgrass / S / 6.8 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Sand bluestem / S / 23.0 / F / - / - / - / G / G / F / - / - / F / -
Big bluestem / S / 16.0 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / F
Legumes
Alfalfa[17] / 13.2 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / - / - / G / -
Birdsfoot trefoil / 7.0 / F / F / F / G / F / F / F / F / F / G / G
Cicer milkvetch / 19.2 / G / G / G / F / G / G / G / F / - / G / F
Red clover / 9.6 / G / F / - / F / F / - / - / G / G / - / F
Alsike clover [18] / 3.8 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / G / - / G
G = Good, F = Fair, - = not suited, S = Sod forming grass, B = Bunch grass
PASTURE AND HAY PLANTING
ADAPTED SPECIES AND SEEDING RATES FOR VEGETATIVE ZONE 3DRYLAND - TABLE 1
Seeding Rate[19]Type Lbs.PLS/Ac / Pasture and Hayland Groups
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 B1 B2 C1 C2 F1 G1
Cool-Season Grass
Creeping foxtail [20] / S / 1.8 / F / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / G / - / F
Int. wheatgrass / S / 14.9 / G / G / G / G / G / G / - / F / - / F / F
Meadow bromegrass / B / 18.4 / F / F / - / F / G / - / - / F / - / - / -
Orchardgrass 2 / B / 2.0 / G / F / - / - / G / F / - / F / - / - / -
Reed canarygrass / S / 2.5 / F / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / G / - / F
Smooth bromegrass / S / 9.7 / G / G / G / G / G / G / - / G / - / F / F
Tall fesue / B / 5.8 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / F / F / G
Tall wheatgrass / B / 16.6 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / G / - / G
Western wheatgrass / S / 11.9 / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / F / G
Timothy 2 / S / 1.1 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / F / - / F
Virginia wildrye / S / 17.9 / G / G / G / F / F / F / - / G / G / - / G
Pub. Wheatgrass / S / 13.1 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / - / - / G / -
Warm-Season Grass
Big bluestem / S / 8.0 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / F
Indiangrass / S / 7.5 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / F / F
Switchgrass / S / 3.4 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Eastern gamagrass / B / 8.0[21] / G / F / F / F / G / - / - / G / G / - / -
Sand bluestem / S / 11.6 / F / - / - / - / G / G / F / - / - / F / -
Little bluestem / B / 5.0 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Sideoats grama / B / 6.9 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Legumes
Alfalfa[22] / 6.6 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / F / - / F / -
Birdsfoot trefoil / 3.5 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / F / G / G
Cicer milkvetch / 9.6 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / F / - / G / F
Red clover / 4.8 / G / F / - / F / F / - / - / G / G / - / F
Sweet clover2 / 5.0 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / G / F / F / G
Illinois bundleflower2 / 21.8 / G / G / F / F / F / G / F / F / - / F / -
Alsike clover / 1.9 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / G / - / G
G = Good, F = Fair, - = not suited, S = Sod forming grass, B = Bunch grass
PASTURE AND HAY PLANTING
ADAPTED SPECIES AND SEEDING RATES FOR VEGETATIVE ZONE 3IRRIGATED - TABLE 2
Seeding Rate[23]Type Lbs.PLS/Ac / Pasture and Hayland Groups
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 B1 B2 C1 C2 F1 G1
Cool-Season Grass
Creeping foxtail [24] / S / 3.6 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / G / G / G / F
Int. wheatgrass / S / 29.8 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / - / - / G / -
Meadow bromegrass / B / 36.8 / G / G / F / G / G / G / G / - / - / G / -
Orchardgrass 2 / B / 4.0 / G / G / F / G / G / G / F / - / - / G / -
Smooth bromegrass / S / 19.4 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / - / - / G / F
Tall fescue / B / 11.6 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / F / - / G
Tall wheatgrass / B / 33.2 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / F / - / G
Reed canarygrass / S / 5.0 / G / F / - / - / F / F / - / G / G / - / G
Pub. Wheatgrass / S / 26.2 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / - / - / G / -
Virginia wildrye / S / 35.2 / G / G / G / F / F / F / - / G / G / - / G
Timothy 2 / S / 2.2 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / F / - / F
Warm-Season Grass
Eastern gamagrass / B / 8.0[25] / G / G / G / G / G / G / - / G / G / - / -
Big bluestem / S / 16.0 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Sand bluestem / S / 23.0 / F / - / - / - / G / G / F / - / - / F / -
Indiangrass / S / 15.0 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Switchgrass / S / 6.8 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Little bluestem / B / 10.0 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Sideoats grama / B / 13.8 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Legumes
Alfalfa[26] / 13.2 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / - / - / G / -
Birdsfoot trefoil / 7.0 / F / F / F / G / F / F / F / F / F / G / G
Cicer milkvetch / 19.2 / G / G / G / F / G / G / G / F / - / G / F
Illinois bundleflower2 / 43.6 / G / G / F / F / F / G / F / F / - / F / -
Alsike clover / 3.8 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / F / - / G
G = Good, F = Fair, - = not suited, S = Sod forming grass, B = Bunch grass
PASTURE AND HAY PLANTING
ADAPTED SPECIES AND SEEDING RATES FOR VEGETATIVE ZONE 4DRYLAND - TABLE 1
Seeding Rate[27]Type Lbs.PLS/Ac / Pasture and Hayland Groups
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 B1 B2 C1 C2 F1 G1
Cool-Season Grass
Creeping foxtail [28] / S / 1.8 / G / - / - / - / F / - / - / G / G / - / G
Int. wheatgrass / S / 14.9 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / F / - / F / F
Meadow bromegrass / B / 18.4 / G / G / F / F / G / F / F / G / F / F / F
Orchardgrass 2 / B / 2.0 / G / G / F / F / G / F / F / G / F / F / -
Reed canarygrass / S / 2.5 / G / F / - / - / F / F / - / G / G / - / G
Smooth bromegrass / S / 9.7 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / G / F
Tall fesue / B / 5.8 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / G / F / G
Tall wheatgrass / B / 16.6 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / G / - / G
Timothy 2 / S / 1.1 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / F / - / F
Virginia wildrye / S / 17.9 / G / G / G / F / F / F / - / G / G / - / G
Pub. Wheatgrass / S / 13.1 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / F / - / F / F
Warm-Season Grass
Big bluestem / S / 8.0 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Indiangrass / S / 7.5 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Switchgrass / S / 3.4 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Eastern gamagrass / B / 8.0[29] / G / G / G / G / G / - / - / G / G / - / -
Little bluestem / B / 5.0 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Sideoats grama / B / 6.9 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Legumes
Alfalfa[30] / 6.6 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / F / F / F
Birdsfoot trefoil / 3.5 / - / G / G / G / - / - / F / G / G / G / G
Cicer milkvetch / 9.6 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / F / F / F
Red clover / 4.8 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Sweetclover2 / 5.0 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Illinois bundleflower 2 / 21.8 / G / G / F / F / F / G / F / F / - / F / -
Alsike clover / 1.9 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / F / - / F
G = Good, F = Fair, - = not suited, S = Sod forming grass, B = Bunch grass
PASTURE AND HAY PLANTING
ADAPTED SPECIES AND SEEDING RATES FOR VEGETATIVE ZONE 4IRRIGATED - TABLE 2
Seeding Rate[31]Type Lbs.PLS/Ac / Pasture and Hayland Groups
A1 A2 A3 A4 A5 B1 B2 C1 C2 F1 G1
Cool-Season Grass
Creeping foxtail [32] / S / 3.6 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / G / G / - / F
Int. wheatgrass / S / 29.8 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / - / - / G / -
Meadow bromegrass / B / 36.8 / G / G / F / G / G / G / G / - / F / G / -
Orchardgrass 2 / B / 4.0 / G / G / F / G / G / G / F / - / F / G / -
Smooth bromegrass / S / 19.4 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / - / F / G / F
Tall wheatgrass / B / 33.2 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / F / - / G
Tall fescue / B / 11.6 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / F / F / - / G
Virginia wildrye / S / 35.2 / G / G / G / F / F / F / - / G / G / - / G
Timothy 2 / S / 2.2 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / F / - / F
Warm-Season Grass
Eastern gamagrass / B / 8.0[33] / G / G / G / G / G / G / - / G / G / - / -
Big bluestem / S / 16.0 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Indiangrass / S / 15.0 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Switchgrass / S / 6.8 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Little bluestem / B / 10.0 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Sideoats grama / B / 13.8 / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G / G
Legumes
Alfalfa[34] / 13.2 / G / G / G / G / G / G / F / F / G / G / -
Birdsfoot trefoil / 7.0 / F / F / F / G / F / F / F / F / F / G / G
Cicer milkvetch / 19.2 / G / G / G / F / G / G / G / F / F / G / F
Illinois bundleflower 2 / 43.6 / G / G / F / F / F / G / F / F / - / F / -
Alsike clover / 3.8 / - / - / - / - / - / - / - / G / F / - / F
G = Good, F = Fair, - = not suited, S = Sod forming grass, B = Bunch grass
NE-T.G. Notice 479
Section IV
NRCS-NOVEMBER 1999
[1] Refer to Nebraska Range Technical Note No. 43.
[2] These rates will provide 30 pure live seeds per square foot for dryland planting.
[3] In mixtures only
[4] Single species only in wet areas
[5] Alfalfa plantings on all pasture groups except A1, C1, C2 and G1 should have a minimum of 25 percent grass in the stand for erosion control.
[6] These rates will provide 60 pure live seeds per square foot for irrigated planting.
[7] In mixtures only.
[8] Single species only in wet areas.
[9] Alfalfa plantings on all pasture groups except A1, C1, C2 and G1 should have a minimum of 25 percent grass in the stand for erosion control.
[10] These rates will provide 30 pure live seeds per square foot for dryland planting.
[11] In mixtures only
[12] Single species only in wet areas
[13] Alfalfa plantings on all pasture groups except A1, C1, C2 and G1 should have a minimum of 25 percent grass in the stand for erosion control
[14] These rates will provide 60 pure live seeds per square foot for irrigated plantings.
[15] In mixtures only
[16] Provides approximately 1 live seed for each .75 square foot.
[17] Alfalfa plantings on all pasture groups except A1, C1, C2 and G1 should have a minimum of 25 percent grass in the stand for erosion control.
[18] Single species only in wet areas
[19] These rates will provide 30 pure live seeds per square foot for dryland planting.
[20] In mixtures only
[21] Provides approximately 1 live seed for each .75 square foot.
[22] Alfalfa plantings on all but A1, C1, C2 and G1 should have a minimum of 25 percent grass in the stand for erosion control.
[23] These rates will provide 60 pure live seeds pre square foot for irrigated plantings.
[24] In mixtures only
[25] Provides approximately 1 live seed for each .75 square foot.
[26] Alfalfa plantings on all pasture groups except A1, C1, C2 and G1 should have a minimum of 25 percent grass in the stand for erosion control.
[27] These rates will provide 30 pure live seeds per square foot for dryland planting.
[28] In mixtures only
[29] Provides approximately 1 live seed for each .75 square foot.
[30] Alfalfa plantings on all pasture groups except A1, C1, C2 and G1 should have a minimum of 25 percent grass in the stand for erosion control.
[31] These rates will provide 60 pure live seeds per square foot for irrigated plantings.
[32] In mixtures only
[33] Provides approximately 1 live seed for each .75 square foot.
[34] Alfalfa plantings on all pasture groups except A1, C1, C2 and G1 should have a minimum of 25 percent grass in the stand for erosion control.