Seeding Depth Critical
For Pasture, Hay Plantings
Establishing new stands of forage
for hay or grazing requires precise
planning. Ideally, producers should
plan well ahead (six months to a
year) of the planting season. This
allows time to adjust soil pH and
fertility levels and to control weeds.
All of this planning and preparation
could be wasted if the farmer ig
nores the basic seeding principles,
such as setting a proper planting
depth.
Many forages have small seeds
that require shallow planting for
rapid and maximum emergence.
We conducted trials at Rockspr
ings to demonstrate the effect of
planting depth on different grasses
and Puna chicory. Seeds (100 in
each plot) were planted by hand to
ensure precise placement. Seeding
depths were 0.4, 1.2, and 2.4 inches
One of the only balers in the field designed
SIBERT EQUIPMENT...YOUR HESSTON BALER DEALER
BIG or SMALL...
We can Handle
It All!
APRIUMAY HAY EQUIPMENT SPECIALS
HESSTON 4755 BIG BALER
31.5" x 34.4" Bales up to 8' Long
SILAGE SPECIAL SALE
with Centralized Lube, Last Bale Inject
& Roller Chute
Choose From
NEW HESSTON HAY EQUIPMENT IN STOCK
BALES
(5) Hesston 4910 4x4 Baler
Hesston 4790 3x4 Baler
(2) Hesston 4755 3x3 Baler
Hesston 4590 Sm. Sq. Baler
MOWERS
Hesston 82512' Sickle Mower
(2) Hesston SP 8550 15’ Rotary Disc Mower
Hesston 8250 SP 12' Sickle Mower
(6) Hesston 1340 PTl2’ Rotary Disc Mower
Hesston 1320 PT 10’ Rotary Disc Mower
Hesston 1008 3 pt. 10' Rotary Disc Mower
Nobody knows hay like
A
HESSTON
t AGCO]
on a Hagerstown silt loam soil. The
number of emerged seedlings were
counted at 35 days after planting.
There was adequate rainfall during
the trial to ensure good germination.
Percentage emergence of each
forage is in Table 1. Seedling emer
gence was greatest and most rapid
at the 0.4-inch depth. Perennial rye
grass had relatively good emergence
from all depths. Although a number
of seedlings emerged from the deep
planting depths, these seedlings
were less vigorous than those from
shallow planting depths.
Detailed experiments in the
greenhouse showed that seedlings
that emerged from deeper planting
depths had fewer leaves, roots, and
tillers than those planted at shallow
depths (Table 2). Although a two
inch planting depth would be an ex-
HESSTON 1340
DISC MOWER/CONDITIONER
12' Cutting Width,
Center Pivot, 2 Pt. Hitch
Choose From $ 17,900
(4) Hesston 4900 4x4 Baler
NH 575 Sm. Square Baler
JD 338 Sm. Square Baler
(2) JD 1470 12' Disc Mower/Cond.
(6) Kuhn FC 350 12' Mower/Cond.
NH4II 10'Mower/Cond.
Hesston SPBSOO 15' Rotary Disc Mower
NH SP 1496 12’Sickle Mower/Cond.
NH SP 1499 12' Sickle Mower/Cond.
treme occurrence, improperly set tion can easily resuit in planting
planters and poor seedbed prepara- depths of 1 inch.
'Average of four varieties. h Average of two varieties
‘Square inches
Producers should remember the mended seeding rates. Consult the
basics in planting forages: plan Penn State Agronomy Guide
ahead, ensure a firm seedbed for (http://AgGuide.agronomy.psu.edu/)
good seed-to-soil contact, plant at for more planting method and seed
the proper depth, and use recom- ing rate recommendations.
Now available at:
Bob Wilkins
Saxton, PA
814-635-3392
Glenn
Beidler
Freeburg, PA
800-774-0796
Triple H
Equipment,
Inc.
Peach Bottom, PA
717-548-3775
800-675-2019
tripleh@epix.net
The Hay Specialist.
Foraging Around, Lancaster Farming, Saturday, April 22, 2000—Page
Seeding Perennial
Depth (inches) Ryegrass* Orchard]
0.4
1.2
2.4
Seeding
Depth
Leaf area*
04
I 2
24
50 5
40 6
25 10
If So, It Is Time To Call
Pennfleld Feeds
For A Free On Farm Consultation
CONSULTATION WILL INCLUDE
1. Assessing Forage Inventories
2. Free Forage Analysis
3. Free Ration Balancing Wf
4. Dry Cow Programs (i'i
5. Heifer Programs
6. Forage Extended Programs
Call Your Local Pennfield Dairy Consultant For An
On Farm Assessment Of Your Feeding Opportunities
25 Gal. to 1,000 Gal. SPRAYERS
• Back Pack Sprayers
•Tractor Mounted
• Single & Tandem Axle Sprayers
Full Line of Sprayer Parts In Stock
76
67
50
Puna chicoi
Days to Root Days to
emergence number Leaf area emergence
Matua
;rass b Prairie:
41 64
39 37
21 24
52
30
20
Dawn orchardi
I 2
I 0
08
8 2
8 I 8
10 I 3
215
Puna
■ass chicoi
-rass
Tillers per
plant