It’s Time to Overseed Forages
If you plan to overseed for winter grazing now is the optimum time to start planting. The most common cause of overseeding failure is planting into excess residue from your perennial crop. Research suggests that you plant into less than 6 inches of residue. It is recommended that you mix small grains together or add clovers when overseeding. The different grains and clovers will mature at different times therefore extending the grazing period of your field. I have added some details below provided by our Extension Forage Specialist Dennis Hancock. I only added information on the most popular forages used, but certainly not the only choices. For more information on overseeding forages please contact your local extension office.
Annual Ryegrass
Establishment: Grown alone at 25 to 30 lb/A or 15 to 25 lb/A in mixtures
Do not plant ryegrass seed deeper than ½ in.
Time: September or early October.
Recommended Varieties : Attain, Big Boss, Diamond T (CP), Early Ploid (CP), Jackson (CP), Nelson, Prine, TAMTBO. If seed is available.
Maintenance:
Apply 40 – 50 lbs of N per acre at planting or soon after the plants emerge to increase growth, tillering (thickening of the stand), and provide earlier grazing. A second application of 40 – 50 lbs of N per acre should be applied in mid-winter to increase winter and spring forage production. Because ryegrass is longer-lived, a third application of 40 – 50 lbs of N per acre may be needed in early spring when ryegrass is used for late spring grazing, hay, or silage crop.
Oats
Establishment: Grown alone at 90-120 lb/A or 60-90 lb/A in a mixture
Time: Late September to Late October
Recommended Varieties: Horizon 201*, RAM LA99016, and Plot Spike LA 9339 (CP; usually marketed as a food plot forage)*. (if seed is available: LA05006GSBS-65-S, NF27, and NF95418)
Do not overgraze these pastures during the late fall or early winter. For best results, maintain at least 2 ½ in. of stubble height.
Maintenance:
Apply 40 – 50 lbs of N per acre at planting or soon after the plants emerge to increase growth, tillering (thickening of the stand), and provide earlier grazing. A second application of 40 – 50 lbs of N per acre should be applied in mid-winter to increase winter and spring forage production.
Rye
Establishment: Grown alone at 90 to 120 lb/A or 60 to 90 lb/A in a mixture
Time: September or October.
Recommended Varieties:* AGS104*, Bates RS4, and Wrens Abruzzi Early: FL 401 (CP) If seed is available, Elbon.
Maintenance:
Apply 40 – 50 lbs of N per acre at planting or soon after the plants emerge to increase growth, tillering (thickening of the stand), and provide earlier grazing. A second application of 40 – 50 lbs of N per acre should be applied in mid-winter to increase winter and spring forage production.
