Abril 2012

This year, just in time for the cover crop market, Smith Seed Services is able to offer limited quantities of MINO EARLY daikon radish. MINO EARLY, like other diakon radishes, has been and is primarily used in the vegetable markets. MINO EARLY is a specific variety, not a brand, with specific characteristics. In the vegetable markets, uniformity is very important. For the cover crop market, MINO EARLY offers that same predictable growth and uniform assurance. MINO offers:

1. Predictable growth - In vegetable production, MINO EARLY is harvested as early as 40 days. At this stage, the radish roots are long, uniform tubers. After about 40 days, the tubers become longer, wider and sometimes distorted in shape, depending on the soil structure. After 60-90 days, depending on soil temperatures, MINO EARLY radishes focus their growth away from vegetative production to seed reproduction. Cover crop farmers can apply these predicable growth traits to decide when and where to use MINO EARLY radish.
2. Uniform Performance - MINO EARLY is a specific variety (not a brand) with specific characteristics bred into it and reproduced in seed crops. This means variations between each plant should be minimal, with performance difference resulting more from soil and nutrient variations, rather than individual plant variants. In other words, MINO EARLY is MINO EARLY.

With limited availability, early booking is encouraged. Contact Dustin or Jonathan for further information.

If you have customers interested in certified annual ryegrass, we should be able to help. We have been producing certified annual ryegrass for years and usually have numerous certified varieties available, including Big Boss, Ed, and Big Daddy. While most of Oregon’s annual ryegrass production is uncertified, a growing number of acres are being planted under the Oregon Seed Certification Program. Prior to 2009, about 3,000 acres each year were registered under the State’s certification program. Today, that number has more than tripled due to increased export demand requiring certified seed from importing countries. As of December 2011, there were over 30 certified varieties amounting to over 10,000 certified acres. That’s about 20 MILLION pounds, by the way!

Our ‘featured’ cover crop annual ryegrass, Ed Diploid is available in both certified and uncertified production and has good cold tolerance. Those interested in certified seed may want to book needs early as certified supplies are limited. Learn more about Ed and our other cover crop seed solutions at www.CoverCropSeeds.com