|
Reestablishing
Pastures and Hay Meadows - Companion
or “nurse” crops
For steep slope
or riparian areas that are burned and subject to erosion, it is
advisable to establish a quick ground cover immediately after wildfire.
Several options that have been recommended in Montana following
the 2000 fire season were annual ryegrass (10 pounds per acre) or
barley, spring wheat or winter wheat (30 pounds per acre). Again,
it is critical to use certified seed, or seed known to be weed-free.
These
are fast-growing annual crops that establish quickly to reduce erosion,
then depending on conditions they make a seed crop and die. Nurse
crops are not typically recommended for mixed seedings with forage
crops, due to competition. However, after a wildfire, a companion
crop may be useful for areas with a mixed slope or other conditions
that may limit quick establishment of the perennial forage seeding.
If a companion crop is used, then reduce the seeding rate by 50
percent or more (10 to 15 pounds of grain) to reduce competition.
|
Home