question for Allan in ne

No, what I was talking about was old fashioned cheat grass or "military grass". Probably not what you are thinking of?

Anyway, it is a cool, short season grass. Usually only see it in the spring.

Heck, I dunno what is gonna show up out there; first go around and all. I just hope the alfalfa takes a bite. :>)

Allan

A "cover" or "nurse" crop is planted with and is used to "jump start" a new seeding of hay (usually alfalfa) and can be almost any fast growing/fast maturing crop that will go from seed to the bin in a relatively short period of time.

In other words, it is used to make use of the season while the new hay crop is taking time to establish itself. It also serves to cut down on erosion in certain locales during this "nursery" time while the hay crop is rooting itself down.

Allan

The cover crop tends to shade and canopie the baby crop so that it doesn't do much until the cover is removed. Once the cover is taken off and the sunlight hits the new crop, away she goes.

Allan

That's gotta be a new wrinkle, don't ya think? I've never heard of that one either.

I know that the beets are at their most vulnerable when small, so maybe they've figured out a new plan to keep the wind off 'em or something.

They are really doing some strange things with the sprays nowadays.

BTW, most of our certified seed comes down out of that Red River Valley. Old ocean floor to an old ocean floor thing, I guess. :>)

Allan