Now that we are past April 1, we are past the time of year when we can establish a forage crop for hay or pasture unless we use a drill. Spring seeded forage crops must be drilled by about April 25 in southern Ohio if they are going to survive the summer heat and water stress.

The soils are very wet at this point. We have had between 7 and 8 inches of rain and snow moisture in March. Last year in March I think we had less than four inches. Most soil labs are pretty quick in getting your results back to you if you give them an e-mail address, so I don’t think it’s too late to soil test. The problem is it takes six months for phosphorus and potassium to get into the seed zone. The same is true for lime. If your Ph comes back below 6.0 for grass and clover and below 6.5 for alfalfa, I would put the lime on now and wait to seed in early August.

If your phosphorus levels are below 15 ppm for grass and below 25 ppm for alfalfa, your chances for the spring seeding success is doubtful.

Critical level for potassium is between 90 and 150 PPM depending on your caution exchange capacity and the forage species.
If you are below any of these levels, it would be best to make the application recommended now and seed in August. You could apply the nutrients now and seed, see what you get, and if it fails, reseed in August. But, to me, the cost may be prohibitive.
You want to control perennial and biennial weeds before seeding. These plants, Canada Thistle or Wild Carrot (also known as Queen Anne’s Lace), for example, are more easily controlled in the fall than the spring.

The varieties of forages you seed should have proven high yields for Ohio and also selected for their disease resistance. Yes, the varieties may cost more than the poorer varieties but it doesn’t take very many extra pounds of forage per acre to pay for the extra cost at today’s prices for forages.

Legume seed should be inoculated with the correct Rhizobium inoculants. Be sure the seed is stored in a cool dry location until you can get it in the soil.

When planting, you need to do everything possible to ensure good coverage and good seed soil contact. On clay and loam soils, seed should be placed at one-fourth inch to one-half inch depth, no deeper and no shallower.

Readers with questions or comments for Steve Bartels may write to him in care of this publication.

This farm news was published in the April 2, 2008 issue of the Farm World, serving Indiana, Ohio, Illinois, Kentucky, Michigan and Tennessee.