Shaw Media file photo
During late winter, farmers can broadcast species such as clover or grass over pastures to thicken the stand and improve production.
Sow cold, even when it’s so cold Jack Frost may nip at farmers’ noses, but he can help take care of their fields, too
Story by Martha Blum AgriNews Publications/Shaw Media FREEPORT — Farmers looking to improve their pastures or waterways, or cut down on feed costs can start doing it now, but the window in which to do it won’t be open for long. During a recent agronomy summit in Freeport, Laura Lant, an agronomist for Midwest Grass & Forage in Macomb,
promoted the benefits of frost planting, a method of broadcasting seeds on the surface in late winter or early spring. The process lets nature do most of the work, relying on the freeze-thaw cycle and early showers to improve seed-to-soil contact. During this time of the year, soil can move up and down, drawing seeds into tiny cracks caused by the cycle, eliminating the need for tilling.
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But time is of the essence. “We’re only 4 to 5 weeks away from frost seeding time,” said Lant during the Northwest Illinois Agronomy Summit on Jan. 14 in Freeport, an event hosted by University of Illinois Extension. During late winter, farmers can broadcast species such as clover or grass over pastures to thicken the stand and improve production. “It is an effective way to increase the pasture, whether you want to keep it in pasture for 3 to 4 years or you just need it to tide you by for a few months or until fall,” Lant said.
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