1. Adequate seed bed preparation is important
as are seeding rate and fertility. EverLeaf 126
produces a great deal of biomass and therefore
insufficient levels of plant nutrients and water
will limit overall productivity. |
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2. Even when mixed with a forage pea, it
is important to adequately supply enough
nitrogen fertilizer to meet your forage yield
goals. It is not unusual to need 80 to 100 lbs.
of additional nitrogen fertilizer in the west
and upwards of 120 to 140 lbs. of supplemental
N in the east. Please soil test and fertilize as
recommended. |
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3. Dryland production should be limited to
heavier soils with adequate rainfall. |
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4. Because of its “race-horse” nature and
superior forage quality, EverLeaf 126 has found
favor with many dairy producers. Planted on
recently manured ground, it is very efficient in
taking up the excess nitrogen found in dairy
waste and converting it back into a valued
feedstuff. |
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5. Always test forages for nitrate levels when
grown in high nitrogen regimes or when yields
become restricted due to inadequate rainfall. |
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| 6. Used as a nurse crop for newly seeded alfalfa, the delayed heading feature allow newly planted alfalfa stands to become more uniformly established before first cutting. This translates into higher quality forage and less damage to seedling alfalfa plants with immature crowns. However – one must remember that in this usage, establishing the alfalfa is the primary concern. When conditions get dry, the risk of the nurse crop “choking out” the alfalfa stand becomes increasingly a concern. In such situations it is usually best to harvest the oat forage early and allow the alfalfa to then proceed without competition, even if it means sacrificing some yield. Seeding the nurse crop at a reduced rate will also enhance alfalfa establishment and survival. |
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7. Although Everleaf 126 is unique relative to
other more common oat varieties – reddish
looking seed, wide-leaved with much higher
forage yield potential, and matures significantly
later – after it does reach boot stage it will
begin rapidly declining in forage quality
(increased fiber levels, lower digestibility) just
as all oats do. Harvesting at boot stage is still
the recommended harvest timing as it is with
all other oat varieties. |
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