As cover crop, seed at 100–200#/acre. For grain, seed early at 120–150#/acre, 3–4#/1000 sq ft. ①
As cover crop: Probably the most bang for your buck you can get in the world of cover crops. Offers high biomass and excellent weed competition. Tolerates a wide range of weather and soil conditions. Plant heavily in August or September (planting rates should increase with later seeding dates) for a frost-tolerant cover crop that holds nutrients, builds organic matter and helps control weeds—but that also winterkills, leaving less of a management headache in the spring than winter rye.
As feed grain: Consistently high-yielding, produced more than 100 bushels/acre with 13.3% protein in North Dakota trials. Excellent feed for cows and horses; too high in fiber for hogs.