Hairy Vetch – AU-Merit

HIGH YIELDS, WIDE ADAPTATION, AND EARLY MATURITY
AU Merit was bred by Auburn University specifically for high forage and biomass production and early flowering. The result is a variety which exhibits high forage yields (up to 12% higher than common hairy vetch), early maturity, good disease resistance, excellent seedling vigor and tolerance to a wide range of soil types.

A winter-hardy winter annual legume that has the potential to produce 200 lbs of free nitrogen. Burn off or till into the soil after flower for a significant amount of free nitrogen. It can also be rolled down as a weed-suppressing mulch in organic no-till systems. Best used in mixtures.

Recommended seeding rate: 25-30 lbs/A.

Inoculate with pea/vetch inoculant for best growth and nitrogen fixation.

AUMerit-techsheet

Hairy Vetch as a Cover Crop (Penn State Extension)

PLANTING INFORMATION

  • WHEN: 3-6 weeks prior to the average first killing frost
  • DEPTH: 1/2-1 ½”
  • METHOD: Drill, broadcast with light disking
  • SEEDING RATE
    • DRILLED::15-20 lbs/A, 10-15 lbs./A
    • BROADCAST: 25-40 lbs/A , 15-20 lbs./A
  • TERMINATION: Roll kill, selective or non-selective herbicide allows for no-till seeding into terminated stand.