Does vetch make good hay?

Forage Quality: Common vetch makes high quality hay, either grown alone or mixed with small grain. The protein content of vetch hay ranges from 12 to 20%, depending on the stage of development of the crop when cut. Bloat is a risk when dealing with common vetch.

Is vetch hay good for cattle?

Feeding Lucerne, Vetch or Clover hay can be a great protein source addition to your livestock’s diet. They both have a high crude protein (CP) source and low to average sugar content in the form of water soluble carbohydrates (WSC).

What rate do you sow vetch?

A sowing rate of 6–10 kg/ha should give a good seed set in the first year. In pasture mixes, a rate of 4–6 kg/ha is suggested. Heavy seeding rates are necessary because of the large seed size. If sowing with a combine, use a similar setting to that used when sowing wheat, and sow through the fine side of the seedbox.

How much is crown vetch per acre?

The usual seeding rate is 5 to 15 pounds per acre.

What is the difference between hairy vetch and common vetch?

They both have ferny foliage reminiscent of sweet peas with purple flowers that give way to small seed pods that look just like pea pods; however, they are non-edible. The main difference between the two species is size: hairy vetch grows as a sprawling mass about knee high, while common vetch can get waist high.

What is the difference between crown vetch and hairy vetch?

What puts vetch in the weed category is that the hairy vetch, an annual, drops its seed early and once established it’s very difficult to eradicate. Crown vetch, a perennial, spreads by rhizomes under ground as well as by seed dispersal.

How many bales of hay does a cow need a day?

As an example, a 30-cow herd would consume one 900-pound round bale per day. To feed a 30-cow herd, we could use one hay ring that is filled daily. But a better alternative would be to use three hay rings that are filled every three days.

What is the cheapest way to feed cattle?

“Corn residue is one of the lowest cost forages on a cost per pound of energy. That’s why mixing a high energy and protein feed like distillers’ grains with a low quality forage like corn stalks is so cost effective. Distillers’ is often a low-cost source of both energy and protein.

When should I plant vetch?

Plant vetch 30 to 45 days before killing frost for winter annual management; in early spring for summer growth; or in July if you want to kill or incorporate it in fall or for a winter-killed mulch.

Is crown vetch invasive?

Crown vetch is native to Europe, Asia and Africa. Since its introduction to the U.S., it has spread throughout the country. It is currently reported as invasive in many states, especially through the center of the country and along the eastern seaboard.

Can you mow crown vetch?

The aggressive plant is fairly attractive, and performs well as ground cover, but use it with care. However, with care, crown vetch can be utilized in the landscape to provide attractive, no-maintenance ground cover for areas that are impossible to mow or maintain.

What is vetch good for?

Vetch produces an abundance of vining stems and fine foliage that help protect soils from wind and rain, while improving structure and adding nutrients. Plant vetch as a cover crop or green manure and reap the rewards of healthy, thriving soil. Plant Vetch to: Plant Vetch to Fix Nitrogen in the Soil.

When to plant hairy vetch cover crops in Missouri?

Like crimson clover, hairy vetch is a winter annual legume, but with a much different growth pattern. It doesn’t grow as much in the fall as crimson clover, but it generally overwinters well and by late April starts to grow with great vigor.

What kind of hay can you use with hairy vetch?

Rye is commonly used for that purpose in the USA, though hay made of rye and hairy vetch is tangled and difficult to handle ( Undersander et al., 1990 ). The ideal time for cutting is a trade-off between quality (high protein) and yield. If the crop is cut at the onset of pods in hairy vetch, rye quality has already declined.

How does hairy vetch grow in the soil?

Something has to happen between the air and the soil to make nitrogen ready for plants, and that is nitrogen fixation. Enter legumes like hairy vetch, which have tumor-like structures growing on their roots called nodules. Rhizobia bacteria live in the nodules and turn nitrogen in the air into a form that is useable by plants.

Which is better for a garden, vetch or rye?

Vetch and rye grown together is most common and produces a hay of good quality. When compared to other vetches, hairy vetch tolerates poor soil conditions and cold weather the best. It can even be used as a companion plant in your smaller garden plot.