Whether it is a new stand of alfalfa or cool-season grasses, late summer is an ideal planting time. These forages planted at this time establish well and usually have much less weed pressure. However, for nonirrigated acres, adequate and consistent moisture will be needed after planting.
Proper seedbed preparation is crucial for late-summer plantings. Good seed-to-soil contact and weed control are critical when seeding into both tilled, prepared seedbeds and wheat stubble. Conserve soil moisture whenever possible, and put extra effort into getting a firm seedbed. For alfalfa, be sure to plant early enough so it has six to eight weeks between emergence and a hard freeze to develop good cold tolerance.
For cool-season grasses, plant at least three or more grasses in a mixture rather than a single species. No single plant is best adapted to all situations, so mixtures help maximize your stand and production potential.
Several grasses can be used, but one of the best is orchardgrass. It regrows fast after proper grazing and grows better in summer than most cool-season grasses. However, it does tend to thin out over time. Smooth brome works well with orchardgrass because it is long lived and can spread into areas as orchardgrass plants die. It also is very palatable, but summer growth is slow. Other good choices include meadow brome, intermediate wheatgrass, tall fescue and festulolium. Legumes such as alfalfa or red or white clover can also be part of the mixture.
With late-summer plantings of alfalfa or cool-season grasses, be especially wary of grasshoppers. They sometimes seem to come from nowhere, and they love to eat new seedlings. Spray field margins with insecticides before planting if necessary.— Jerry Volesky, Nebraska Extension range and forage specialist
