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Forage Seeding Rates and Seed Weights
Vance Owens and Brent Turnipseed
This article is a follow-up to "Spring Planting Tips for Forages" written in a recent issue of Field Facts. The table illustrates the typical seeding depth (inches), seeding rate (Pounds pure live seed/acre), and seed weight (seeds/pound) of numerous common forages grown in South Dakota. Recognize that these are averages. Therefore, make adjustments according to the conditions of your farm or ranch. You can contact your local Extension Educator for help in interpreting, and perhaps modifying, this information.
| Name | Planting Depth | Pounds PLS per acre | Average Seed per Pound |
| Alfalfa | 1/4 to 1/2 | 10-15 | 227,000 |
| Birdsfoot Trefoil | 1/8 | 7-9 | 375,000 |
| Grama, Blue | 1/8 to 1/4 | 2-3 | 850,000 |
| Grama, Sideoats | 1/4 to 1/2 | 4-7 | 200,000 |
| Bluegrass, Kentucky | 1/8 | 5-10 | 2,177,000 |
| Bluestem, Big | 1/2 to 3/4 | 5.5-8 | 160,000 |
| Bluestem, Little | 1/2 to 2/4 | 3.5-5 | 260,000 |
| Bromegrass, Meadow | 1/4 to 1/2 | 10-12 | 90,000 |
| Bromegrass, Smooth | 1/4 to 1/2 | 6.5-8 | 135,000 |
| Buffalograss | 1/4 to 3/4 | 49,940 (burs) | |
| Cicer Milkvetch | 1/4 to 1/2 | 10-12 | 130,000 |
| Clove, Alsike | 1/4 to 1/2 | 5-7 | 700,000 |
| Clover, White | 1/4 to 1/2 | 3-6 | 800,000 |
| Clover, Red | 1/4 to 1/2 | 10-12 | 275,000 |
| Creeping Foxtail, Garrison | 1/8 to 1/4 | 5-8 | 450,000 |
| Fescue, Creeping Red | 1/8 to 1/4 | 3-5 | 615,000 |
| Fescue, Tall | 1/4 to 1/2 | 10-16 | 227,000 |
| Green Needlegrass | 1/4 to 1/2 | 5-7 | 170,000 |
| Indiangrass | 1/4 to 1/2 | 5-8 | 175,000 |
| Meadow Foxtail | 1/8 to 1/4 | 5-8 | 575,000 |
| Orchardgrass | 1/4 to 1/2 | 5-8 | 654,000 |
| Reed Canarygrass | 1/4 to 1/2 | 6-8 | 550,000 |
| Ryegrass, Perennial | 1/4 to 1/2 | 14-18 | 240,000 |
| Sand Dropseed | 1/8 | 1-2 | 5,600,000 |
| Sand Lovegrass | 1/8 | 2-4 | 1,600,000 |
| Sweetclover | 1/4 to 1/2 | 9-12 | 260,000 |
| Switchgrass | 1/4 to 1/2 | 4-7 | 390,000 |
| Timothy | 1/4 to 1/2 | 6-9 | 1,200,000 |
| Wheatgrass, Crested | 1/2 to 1/2 | 5-7.5 | 190,000 |
| Wheatgrass, Intermediate | 1/4 to 1/2 | 10-12 | 90,000 |
| Wheatgrass, Slender | 1/4 to 1/2 | 8-12 | 135,000 |
| Wheatgrass, Tall | 1/4 to 1/2 | 11-14 | 80,000 |
| Wheatgrass, Western | 1/4 to 1/2 | 8-10 | 110,000 |
| Wildrye, Canada | 1/4 to 1/2 | 8-10 | 87,000 |
| Wildrye, Russian | 1/4 to 1/2 | 5-7.5 | 175,000 |
Source Volume 2, 2001, SD Field Facts Newsletter
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