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Product Information
LTH 25 is a special genetic package of seed designed for maximum erosion protection and nutritious livestock forage. This seed blend was designed by Speare Seeds, a seed company based in Harriston, Ontario. They specialize in forage blends, cover crops and lawn and turf seeds. This seed blend is Speare Seeds called their Long Term Hay blend, sometimes referred to as “LTH 25.” It was developed by Speare Seeds as a versatile, low maintenance crop for agriculture. It is renowned for its excellent erosion prevention, cold tolerance and excellent regrowth capabilities.. Description The Long Term Hay blend is a cutting edge seed package composed of both grasses and legumes. It contains the following species; Survivor Alfalfa, Promesse Timothy, Barfest Festulolium, Baridana Orchardgrass, Barlox Tall Fescue and Prairie Brome Grass. Each one of these species is unique and contributes to the package individually.

Background and Production
The species that compose LTH 25 are grown in North America. They are cleaned as individual species and then, mixed and packaged at the Speare Seeds facility in Harriston, Ontario. They can be distributed directly from the plant in 25 kg bags, or in larger totes if necessary.

Labor Required and Cost Evaluation In terms of producing this seed blend, a significant amount of management is required to ensure that a quality product is achieved. However, in terms of commercial production, farmers will find that LTH 25 is extremely low maintenance and requires minimal labour after planting. The cost of the blend is also quite reasonable. Retail value sits at $230.95 per 25kg bag or $9.23 per kg. Recommended seeding rates are 18lb or 8.2 kg/ac. Calculating the cost per acre gives us an even $75.75/acre or $30.68/ha CDN/$.

1. Planting
Planting requires a good weed free environment, adequate soil moisture and optimum soil to seed contact. These points are all important however the latter is critical to ensure good germination. It must be noted that seeds of this nature should not be worked too deep. Recommended seeding depths for forage seeds of this nature are in the range of one-quarter to one-half inch deep. Often, broadcasting followed by packing or a light harrowing is sufficient. One modern planting tool that does an excellent job of planting fine forage seeds is a planting implement known as the Brillion drill.

2. Fertilizer
To summarize the following information, fertilizer input levels cannot be developed until soil testing has been completed. This applies to both Micro and macro nutrients. However it can be noted that pastures containing more than 25% legumes generally do not require nitrogen fertilizers because of the N fixing capability that legumes have. Because this blend is right on the threshold, there is a possibility that N fertilizers may be required. Nitrogen as well as Phosphorus and Potassium requirements will depend on the soil tests of the area possible that might be required. It should also be noted that using this seed in rotational grazing may reduce the need for industrial fertilizers as livestock species grazing on the crop will naturally fertilize it as they graze.

3. Weed Control
Competitive weeds can be difficult to manage in Hay or forage crops. Effective selective herbicides are difficult to find for use in grass and legume hay mixtures. Pasture management through grazing also reduces competitive weeds if grazing takes place early enough. It is a fact that many weeds at early growth are nearly as nutritious and palatable as forage crop species. J. D. Green, W. W. (2006). Weed Management in Grass Pastures, Hayfields, and Other Farmstead Sites. Retrieved from University of Kentucky: http://www2.ca.uky.edu/agc/pubs/agr/agr172/agr172.pdf Another effective weed control methods are by effective mowing which knocks back competitive annual weeds and allows rapid regrowth of the crop.

4. Pest Control
Pest control is an important factor for a successful crop. Probably the most vulnerable species in this blend is the Survivor Alfalfa. Methods of integrated pest management (IPM) will come into play such as scouting and managing threshold levels. (IPM, 2014). Many pests of Alfalfa can be controlled with pesticides or early harvest of the forage either mechanically or through grazing.

5. Harvest
Harvest of Forage species generally takes place with mechanized equipment and is stored till it is needed in the form of fermented silage in silos, or as wet or dry hay. However, because of the nature of this product and its potential for marginal land, most of the harvest of this product will take place naturally through rotational or constant grazing.

Patents and Restrictions
Almost every product designed, fabricated or engineered or developed in Ontario falls into some form of patent restriction or licensing system. All seed sold in Canada must comply with the Seeds act and Seeds Regulations Act of Ontario and will be listed with the CFIA. Even custom seed blends must be composed of species that are licenced and regulated. All seeds sold from Speare Seeds are “Blue Tag” certified and registered with the CFIA.

Market Community
The target market of this product in North America is typically for farmers wishing to seed perennial pasture in Class 3-5 land for continuous or rotational grazing systems and perhaps some mechanical harvests. It will work well in many other circumstances however its hardy nature allows it to do exceptionally well in less than average conditions. Also, because this is a “dual purpose” seed blend, it is a valuable crop not only for livestock farmers, but any farmer who wants to manage erosion.

Benefits and Environmental Sustainability
The benefits to Canada are endless. Not only does this allow Canadians to be a part of creating and improving agriculture in North America, it also improves the local economies by creating more jobs in the seed research and production industry. Farmers experience more options and solutions for the challenges they face in their production businesses, and livestock are given the opportunity to perform at their peak potential with quality feed. Also, plant life is invaluable to the environment. Plants absorb and reduce Carbon Dioxide in the environment, converting it to energy useable for other life on earth. Furthermore, plants emit Oxygen and Water as by-products of this process. BGCI. (2014). Why plants are important. Retrieved from Plant Conservation Day: http://www.bgci.org/plantconservationday/whyplantsimportant/</ref/

Bowman, S. (2014, October 3). Speare Seeds. (G. V. boogaard, Interviewer)

LTH 25
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