What is the Northern/Transitional Dairy Cow & Cattle Pasture Mix?
A resilient perennial pasture seed mix featuring meadow brome, perennial ryegrass, orchardgrass, alfalfa, and white clover. Delivers high-protein, palatable forage for dairy cows and other livestock across northern and transition zone regions. This drought-tolerant, winter-hardy blend establishes quickly, providing season-long grazing, improved soil fertility, erosion control, and wildlife-friendly blooms.
Specifications
Sun Requirement
Full Sun
Soil Preference
Fertile, well-drained loam or silt-loam
Soil pH
6.0–7.0
Time to Maturity
~60 days to initial use; full stand maturity in 1 year
Height when mature
~24–40″ unmanaged (grasses 2–4′, alfalfa ~3′; lower under regular grazing)
Seeding Rate
~20 lbs/acre (drilled); ~25 lbs/acre (broadcast) for new pasture establishment
Planting Depth
1/4″ (no deeper than 1/2″ for small seeds)
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Cattle & Dairy Cow Pasture Mix | Cold & Warm Season
SKU: PB-COW-NTR
- Cattle
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Description
What seeds are in the mix?
Drought & Heat Tolerance
This mix is designed for pastures that face unpredictable weather. Orchardgrass and meadow brome bring strong summer performance, handling heat and moderate drought far better than typical cool-season grasses. Alfalfa’s deep taproot taps into moisture well below the surface, helping your pasture stay green and growing when others dry out. While regular rainfall still delivers the best results, this blend holds up impressively in dry spells, lasting longer through summer heat than a standard ryegrass mix.
Winter Hardiness
Don’t worry about harsh winters—this mix is made for them. All included species are cold-hardy perennials that survive deep freezes, late frosts, and heavy snow. Orchardgrass and meadow brome keep growing where others stall, while our alfalfa and white clover varieties bounce back early each spring. In USDA Zone 3 and up, you’ll get reliable regrowth year after year—and some of the first fresh forage of the season when everything else is still dormant.
Grazing Resilience & Regrowth
This mix handles heavy grazing with quick recovery. Meadow brome and orchardgrass regrow fast, ryegrass establishes early, and white clover stays productive even when grazed close—perfect for rotational systems with high stocking rates.
High Forage Quality & Palatability
High in protein, energy, and digestible fiber, this mix supports fast weight gain and high milk yields. Livestock graze it eagerly—ryegrass, alfalfa, clover, and fine-textured grasses offer exceptional nutrition for dairy, beef, or sheep systems.
Soil Enrichment & Low Input Needs
With 20–30% legumes, this mix fixes up to 150 lbs of nitrogen per acre, cutting fertilizer costs. Deep roots improve soil health, and perennials return yearly—ideal for low-input grazing that builds fertility and keeps your pasture productive.
Description
What seeds are in the mix?
Detail Product
Sun/Shade
Full sun; tolerates partial shade
Height
~24–40″ unmanaged (grasses 2–4′, alfalfa ~3′; lower under regular grazing)
Seeding Rate
~20 lbs/acre drilled (higher for broadcast or overseeding)
Uses
Grazing pasture, erosion control, land reclamation, habitat restoration
Color
Green foliage; blooms white (clover) and purple (alfalfa)
Water
Green foliage; blooms white (clover) and purple (alfalfa)
Native
Introduced Eurasian species (naturalized across the U.S. in cool climates)
Life Form
Herbaceous perennial grasses & legumes
Product Uses
Ideal for Milk, Meat & Multi-Species Grazing
This mix supports high milk yields and strong weight gains with protein-rich legumes and energy-dense grasses. Long-lasting, bloat-resistant, and great for grazing or hay, it’s a versatile, low-input option for dairy, beef, sheep, and more.
Protects Soil While Feeding Livestock
This mix stabilizes slopes, waterways, and erosion-prone ground with deep roots and fast cover. It builds sod quickly, curbs runoff, and improves soil health—ideal for pasture, reclamation, or conservation use.
Low-Maintenance, Meadow-Style Ground Cover
Skip the lawn—this mix creates a lush, natural look with spring blooms, minimal mowing, and built-in soil fertility. Great for large properties, orchards, or eco-friendly landscaping that supports pollinators and thrives with little input.
Great for Wildlife Food Plots & Habitat
This mix draws deer, elk, and rabbits with protein-rich clover and alfalfa, while grasses offer cover for birds and nesting. It supports pollinators, attracts insects for young game birds, and turns open land into a self-sustaining, multi-species habitat.
Questions & Answers
When and how should I plant this mix?
Plant in early spring or late summer/early fall, avoiding extreme heat or frost. In the North, seed as soon as the soil is workable or by August. Prepare a firm, weed-free bed, seed ¼” deep, and press soil firmly. Keep moist until seedlings are established.
How soon can I let my animals graze after planting?
Wait until the pasture is well-established before grazing—ideally 8–10 weeks after germination. Start lightly. Mowing or haying first helps root development. In dry areas, delay grazing until the second season. Once established, rotate and avoid overgrazing.
What kind of forage quality and nutrition can I expect? Is it good for dairy cows?
This mix delivers top-tier nutrition for milk and meat. With 15–25% crude protein from legumes and high-energy ryegrass, it supports strong milk yields and fast weight gains—ideal for dairy cows, beef cattle, and more. Manage bloat risk during lush growth. (297 characters)
What maintenance does this pasture require once established?
Legumes supply natural nitrogen, reducing fertilizer needs. Just follow a soil test, rotate grazing, and mow or overseed as needed. With light upkeep, this mix stays productive for 5+ years—ideal for farmers wanting reliable forage without constant inputs.
Can I mix this with other species or use it to improve an existing pasture?
Yes—you can overseed this mix into thin pastures to improve yield and forage quality. Clover and ryegrass establish easily via frost seeding or no-till. It also works well for fall overseeding into bermudagrass, adding cool-season growth to warm-season systems.
Can I use this mix for a lawn or as an ornamental ground cover?
This mix isn’t a turf lawn, but it works well as a low-maintenance, clover-rich ground cover. Mow to ~4″ to keep it tidy, or let it grow for a natural look. It’s ideal for large rural lawns, orchards, or anyone wanting a greener, eco-friendly alternative.
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