Seeding Forages into Wheat Stubble

Seeding Forages into Wheat Stubble

July 13, 2007

Wheat stubble can be an excellent seedbed for no-till planting alfalfa or grasses. With no-till, soil moisture is conserved, erosion is reduced, weed seeds remain buried and tillage expenses are eliminated. When planting into no-till wheat stubble, using the following practices can help ensure thicker stands and more frequent success.

One of the bigger challenges is heavy residue that might interfere with proper drill operation and seed placement or partly smother new seedlings. Residue can be especially troublesome right behind the combine even when using a good straw chopper. When planting alfalfa the best way to minimize this is to bale the straw and be sure to have a well-functioning drill.

Late summer weeds, such as annual weeds that develop after harvest or volunteer wheat that sprouts later in the summer, provide another challenge. Control weeds that exist prior to planting with herbicides like glyphosate and be ready with post-emerge herbicides like Select or Poast Plus for weeds or volunteer wheat that emerge later.

Also, to ensure a good stand consider cross-drilling or double-drilling. This means planting one-half of the seed while driving in one direction and the other half while driving at an angle to the first direction. This helps fill in any gaps and develops canopy, which leads to improved weed control earlier in the season.

Wheat stubble makes a good seedbed. Make it even better with a few management adjustments.

Bruce Anderson
Extension Forage Specialist

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