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Radish, winter pea and clover are among the
most expensive species, and they are most pop-
ular with horticulture producers on small plots
of land, the latest survey indicates. About two-
thirds of the survey’s 151 horticulture respon-
dents reported paying more than the median
range for seed, and about one in four paid more
than $40.
A separate study by the USDA Economic
Research Service said oat seed planted as a
cover crop on cotton, corn and soybean acres
cost about $19 to $21. Winter wheat seed cost
about $15 to $16.
Justin Fruechte, a senior forage and cover crop
specialist at the South Dakota-based Millborn
Seeds, said grains and brassicas are generally
the cheapest seed types per acre, while legumes
are the most expensive.
When Millborn Seeds designs mixes for South
Dakota producers, the company considers issues
such as the producer’s goals, how the seeds will
be planted, and the distinct nature of the farm-
ers’ soil and climate, Fruechte said.
“We can do a lot of cover crops for around $15
per acre, and as guys want to get more creative
or try different things or have more legumes in
the mix, then that cost per acre can get more
expensive,” he told Agri-Pulse. “But usually it
Ray .Weil, .University .of .Maryland .(Photo: .Edwin .Remsberg/SARE) probably peaks at $25 to $30 per acre.”
He’s noticed that many producers in the area
The median cost of seed was actually lower than tend to like radishes, turnips and rye, and a
$25 at $16 to $20 an acre in the 2019-20 survey growing number are planning to use cover crops
by SARE, the Conservation Technology Infor- as livestock feed.
mation Center and the American Seed Trade
Association. The median in the 2012, 2013 and Kent Wasson, a Montana wheat and cattle
2014 surveys was $25 an acre. producer, is in the latter group. He plants a
mixture of cowpeas, chickpeas, millet, sorghum,
Myers said some types of seed, like cereal rye, radishes, turnips and an early maturing type of
may have become less expensive per pound
because more farmers are growing it for cover corn to primarily be used as cattle feed.
crop seed. However, he said seed for clovers He had to pay more than $20 an acre for seed
and vetches are not likely to be much cheaper this year, but by grazing his cover crops he also
than a few years ago. cuts back on his feed costs, he said.
www.Agri-Pulse.com 19
