Good source of forage seed???

[freewheat]

So for a 60-40% grass alf blend, what rates would you recommend for a wet area? Getting my head around a cost idea...

Thanks.

[grassfarmer]

Freewheat, to answer your question normal recommendation would be to seed 8.4lb Meadow brome and 3.2lbs of alfalfa to get the 60/40 blend.
All you've written over the years I think seeding alfalfa in your situation might be a mistake - it doesn't like getting its feet wet. Round here any place there is a dip in a field that is wetter there is no alfalfa.
Your conditions would better suit clovers in my opinion. Less bloat hassles, cheaper seed and really easy to top up with new seed any time you want to - just broadcast some on. Clovers only need about 5lb acre straight so only about 2lbs to keep your 60/40 grass legume mix. Put some diversity in though - at least some hybrid brome and meadow brome, some alsike clover and some red, maybe some white if you are sheep grazing.
These prices Wilton ranch is quoting are very good - the likes of Hannas and the big seed co's have been around $5 for alfalfa blends and $4 for meadow brome for a few years already.

[WiltonRanch]

I like the clover in grass blends. Got some grass through Weder and he made me a real mixture that seemed to fill in everywhere. There was alsike, anik alfalfa. tap alfalfa, meadow brome, and then I threw in some sweetclover and spredor 4 alfalfa. I think a dogs breakfast stand will last longer than just a dual or mono crop blend. Think too you should have some fescue and Timothy too.

[freewheat]

Thanks for the info, guys. The land that is getting seeded down, is a small, well sloped field, with no areas where water ever sits, and it has what I call an inverse soil profile. IE the topsoil is heavier than the subsoil, which is quite sandy, so it has good drainage.

Not sure about clovers with sheep, need to look into that more. I assume you are talking red clover?

What about sainfoin, or trefoil? Typically, historically, alfalfa does really well here. In these wet years, I have not been looking too closely at how it has been affected by saturation...

Lots to think on.

Thanks again...

[grassfarmer]

Sheep thrive on clover - its a natural fit for them. I really like the alsike clover if you get enough moisture and not too much heat like our conditions here. Red would tend to get too big and too coarse for sheep unless you had cattle to help keep it down. I don't have a lot of experience of alfalfa but my impression is it takes more management under grazing. Timothy is the one species I would never seed for a grazing situation.

[freewheat]

Wow, I am sorry, I never even stated my intent of use for the forage. It is for hay, not grazing. Does this change all your suggestions, or did you assume it was for hay already?

[grassfarmer]

I was assuming it was for grazing. If you are haying go ahead with your alfalfa but find something other than meadow brome for a grass as it is low growing and not the best for hay. Maybe smooth brome or even that timothy #$%&!

[freewheat]

Thanks grassfarmer!

[Mufferaw]

Timothy or hydrid broke would be good choices. Use a tap and creeping root alfalfa

[blackjack]

So many many variables Freewheat...is the land going to be used in a short rotation or permanent.Do you plan on selling the hay whether alfalfa for dairy or timothy for the horse crowd.Most important would be what legumes or grasses grow on your type of soil and of course your climate.