Page 13 - MWC 04-01-2021s

FORAGE PLANTING – not stated) usually The Midwest Cattleman · April 1, 2021 · P13

HOW TO DO IT WELL proves to be a very
poor
investment,
By Mark Sulc, OSU Extension Forage Specialist and Jason Hartschuh, CCA yielding less even
Early spring provides one be best to apply lime now in the first or sec-
of the two preferred times to and delay establishing alfalfa ond year and having
seed perennial cool-season until late summer (plant an shorter stand life. Be
forages, the other being late annual grass forage in the in- mindful of how much
summer. The outlook for this terim). seed coating is pres-
spring is for probabilities of 2. Plant high quality seed ent on the seed you
are planting. Many of
above average precipitation of known varietal source
in April and May. Planting adapted to your region. Plant- continued on
opportunities will likely be ing “common” seed (variety page 14
few and short. The following
10 steps to follow on the day
you plant will help improve
chances for successful forage
establishment.
1. Check now to make sure
soil pH and fertility are in the
recommended ranges. Forag-
es are more productive where
soil pH is above 6.0, but for al-
falfa it should be 6.5 – 6.8. Soil
phosphorus should be at least
20 ppm for grasses and 30
ppm for legumes, while min-
imum soil potassium should
be 100 ppm for sandy soils
less than 5 CEC or 120 ppm
on all other soils. If seedings
are to include alfalfa, and soil
pH is not at least 6.5, it would

Callaway

Livestock

Center, Inc.

On I-70, 4 miles east of
Kingdom City, MO on outer road

573-642-7486

Feeder Sale

Monday
12:30 p.m.

1st Thursday Night
of Each Month

6:00 p.m.

Special Cow Sale

Jack Harrison
573-386-2138

John P. Harrison

573-386-5150