Planting

In most markets, a seed coating treatment is standard when purchasing alfalfa seed. Coated seed technically refers to a buildup in coating material of 8 to 34 percent on the seed.

There are many different qualities of forage seed available on the market, so it is important to buy good-quality forage seed to make forage-based farming successful from the beginning.

Seed selection can be very challenging. There are several hundred alfalfa varieties to choose from, with many introduced to the market every year, and each has its own strengths and weaknesses.

It's the time of year when Universities publish their 2011 forage trial results. How did the various corn silage, alfalfa and other forage varities perform in field tests during the past year?

Results from the 2011 University of Minnesota corn grain and silage hybrid trials are available online. These trials were conducted at multiple locations across Minnesota to provide unbiased and replicated information on the performance of numerous hybrids for growers and agronomists.

If you’re deciding to plant a single-species blend forage product, you should weigh price against the need for a pure-line variety with known traits and performance levels. You should also compare seed purity and quality.