WinterKing Hairy Vetch
A PVP protected variety which began with selection work by Steve Groff in E. PA, WinterKing demonstrates improved winter hardiness, delayed flowering and the capacity to produce large amounts of high-nitrogen biomass.
Improved Winter Hardiness
Better winter hardiness equates to more biomass. More biomass provides increased forage for livestock, more biomass for cover croppers, and increased weed suppression for all. Those desiring high nitrogen-fixing legumes for green manure, forage grazing, wildlife and pollinator attractants should find WinterKing an improved option over other legumes that lack cold tolerance.
Delayed Flowering
As an annual legume, hairy vetch may need to be terminated either mechanically or chemically when followed by a row crop. Some producers may find the late maturity of WinterKing reduces the potential for undesired seed propagation found in earlier maturing cover crop varieties. For livestock producers, WinterKing’s late maturity means more vegetative high value feed longer into the spring season.
Nitrogen-Fixing
WinterKing has shown potential to produce 150-200 lbs. N/acre, especially when allowed to reach maturity later in the season. This is beneficial for green manure as well as providing an extended high-protein source for grazing livestock throughout the full spring season.
Cover Crop Performance
In the October of 2019, researchers with the University of Tennessee planted extensive cover crop trials in three Tennessee locations – Knoxville, Spring Hill, and Milan. In addition to assessments of nitrogen content and release, assessment were conducted for ground cover, biomass and height. The data below reflects averages of all three sites. Site-specific data and complete results available upon request.
University of Tennessee
Biomass, Canopy Cover, and Height
Three Location Average
|2019-2020
| Variety | Biomass (Tons DM/A) | Canopy Cover (%) | Height (in) | |||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | May | Nov | Feb | Nov | Feb | April | May | |
| AU Merit Hairy Vetch | 1.2 | 2.3 | 7 | 75 | 4 | 6 | 14 | 23 |
| Patagonia Inta Hairy Vetch | 1.0 | 1.9 | 5 | 71 | 4 | 5 | 14 | 23 |
| Purple Bounty Hairy Vetch | 0.8 | 1.9 | 3 | 50 | 4 | 3 | 16 | 26 |
| Namoi Woolypod Vetch | 1.4 | 1.8 | 3 | 68 | 4 | 9 | 15 | 25 |
| WinterKing Hairy Vetch | 1.2 | 1.8 | 3 | 53 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 24 |
| Villana Hairy Vetch | 0.7 | 1.6 | 2 | 40 | 4 | 4 | 14 | 25 |
| Common Vetch | 1.0 | 3.0 | 3 | 45 | 4 | 8 | 12 | 18 |
University of Tennessee
Nitrogen Content/Estimated Nitrogen Release
Three Location Average
|2019-2020
| Variety | Biomass (Tons DM/A) | Total Nitrogen (%) | Est. N Released: April Termination (lbs/ac) | Est. N Released: May Termination (lbs/ac) | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| April | May | April | May | 2 wks. | 4 wks. | 12 wks | 2 wks. | 4 wks. | 12 wks | |
| AU Merit Hairy Vetch | 1.2 | 2.3 | 4.1 | 3.9 | 3.0 | 7.0 | 44.3 | 5.3 | 12.3 | 91.7 |
| Common Vetch | 0.6 | 2.2 | 3.3 | 2.7 | 1.3 | 3.0 | 18.7 | 4.0 | 9.0 | 70.0 |
| Patagonia Inta | 1.0 | 1.9 | 4.0 | 3.5 | 2.3 | 6.3 | 37.0 | 3.7 | 8.3 | 62.7 |
| Villana Hairy Vetch | 0.7 | 1.6 | 3.8 | 3.5 | 1.7 | 4.0 | 25.3 | 3.3 | 8.3 | 61.7 |
| WinterKing Hairy Vetch | 1.2 | 1.8 | 3.9 | 3.4 | 3.0 | 6.3 | 40.0 | 3.7 | 8.3 | 61.7 |
| Purple Bounty Hairy Vetch | 0.8 | 1.9 | 4.0 | 3.0 | 2.0 | 4.3 | 29.0 | 3.0 | 7.3 | 53.3 |
| Namoi Woolypod Vetch | 0.8 | 1.5 | 3.8 | 3.3 | 1.7 | 4.0 | 27.0 | 2.7 | 6.0 | 46.0 |
Forage Quality
Louisiana State University
Hairy Vetch Evaluation Trial (Forage Quality)
Winnsboro, LA
|2017-2018
| Entry | NDF | ADF | CP |
|---|---|---|---|
| AU Merit | 0.52 | 0.38 | 24.31 |
| WinterKing | 0.49 | 0.36 | 22.93 |
| Oregon VNS | 0.50 | 0.37 | 22.47 |
| Villana | 0.53 | 0.39 | 20.80 |
Yield Data
Louisiana
Louisiana State University
Hairy Vetch Evaluation Trial (Forage Quality)
Winnsboro, LA
|2017-2018
| Variety | Harvest Date | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Entry | March 27 | May 11 | Total |
| WinterKing | 1141 | 1983 | 3124 |
| Oregon Origin | 931 | 1907 | 2838 |
| Villana | 958 | 1678 | 2636 |
| Villata | 1067 | 502 | 1569 |
| Common Vetch | 1068 | 322 | 1391 |
| Naomi Wooly Pod | 1108 | ------ | 1108 |
| LSD | 221 | 488 | 597 |
Pennsylvania
Penn State University
Hairy Vetch Evaluation Trial
State College, PA
|2007-2008
| Entry | % Flowering | June 5th Harvest (DM/AC) |
|---|---|---|
| Groff Vetch1 | 50.0 | 616 |
| AU Early Cover | 75.0 | 508 |
| Purple Prosperity | 50.0 | 359 |
| Purple Bounty | 53.3 | 192 |
Coat for Optimal Performance
For optimal performance, WinterKing should be inoculated with Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar viceae. This is best achieved with Nitro-Coat®.
A Valuable Variety For Seed Dealers
Our hairy vetch varieties not only perform well for farmers, they also are very valuable to seed dealers. Contact us today to see if dealer options are available in your area.
Planting Instructions
WinterKing hairy vetch can be seeded at a rate of 10-40 lbs/acre depending on the mix or purpose. For best results, plant 3-6 weeks prior to the average first killing frost. Ideal seeding depth: ½–1½".
Seeding Rate
Planting Dates
3-6 weeks prior to the average first killing frost
Planting Map
Planting Depth
1/2 – 1 1/2"