Establishing Pastures: Seeding Rates

Table of Contents

1. Introduction
   • Table 2-6: Horse Exercise Paddocks
   • Table 2-7: Effect of Seeding Rates on Yields
2. Seed Quality
3. Direct Versus Companion Seeding
4. Other Pasture Establishment Recommendations
   • Soil Test
   • Selecting a Seed Mixture
   • Types of Mixtures
   • Legume Inoculation
   • The Seedbed
   • Seeding Technique
   • Weed Control When Seeding Forage Stands
5. Related Links

Introduction

Use the rates in this publication or in OMAF Publication 296, Field Crop Recommendations. These seeding rates are proven to produce good stands on average to good growing conditions. Higher seeding rates do not as a rule give more yield. Higher seeding rates are only useful in very poor seeding conditions when high seedling mortality is expected.

Table 2-6. Horse Exercise Paddocks

Text Equivalent of Table

Seed Quality

Always use good seed when establishing a pasture. Certified seed is your guarantee of quality. Use of certified seed:

• ensures germination
• good seedling vigour and
• fewer weed seeds.

Select forage varieties using the Ontario Forage Crops Committee test results. These varieties have proven themselves in performance trials to be adapted to Ontario conditions.

Direct Versus Companion Seeding

Make most pasture seedings without a companion crop. The companion crop competes heavily with the establishing forages for light, moisture and nutrients. If a companion crop is needed for erosion or weed control, or required for feed or straw, the following points will help ensure a good forage establishment.

• Use oats seeded at a light rate - less than 60 kg/ha (1 1/2 bushel/acre)
• Use an upright oat variety with low tillering ability.
• Harvest the companion crop as silage at the late boot stage or by grazing when it reaches 30 cm.
• Avoid using high nitrogen fertilizers, or heavy rates of manure, which tend to result in lodging.
• Remove badly lodged companion crops as soon as possible.

Related Links

... on forages and pastures, visit Forages and Pastures (OMAFRA)
... on weed control, order Publication 75 Guide to Weed Control: Forage Crops
... on agronomy for field crops, order Pub.811 Agronomy Guide for Field Crops: Chapter 3 Forages
... on field crop protection, order Publication 812, Field Crop Protection Guide
... on livestock, visit Livestock (OMAFRA)