The process begins on July the 1st when the fescue grass seed fields are mature enough to swath. The fields are swathed at night when there is dew on the grass to prevent seed loss, farmers will often work all night during this time of year.
The grass will lay in windrows for approximately a week to 10 days until completely dried before combining. The dried seed will thrash out more easily in the heat of the day. The combining process begins after the dew has dried and will go into the evening at a slow rate of about 2 mph.
The seed is hauled directly from the field to the cleaner for prompt processing. The seed is assigned a lot number that will stay with the seed all the way through planting. The lot number provides information about things like crop year, cleaner and farm where it is produced. A typical lot is 55,000lbs of cleaned seed. Once the seed is cleaned samples are sent to labs for testing. All seeds get a germ and purity test. See a copy of the test here.
Every lot of Estancia seed containing a beneficial endophyte is tested for the ArkShield endophyte presence as well as any potential off-types according to the Alliance for Grassland Renewal quality assurance protocol. Researchers at USDA-ARS in Lexington, KY recently published a scientific paper on the stability of the NTE04 (ArkShield) endophyte. As it turns out the ArkShield endophyte is more stable than the wild endophyte found in KY-31 fescue. Read more here.
While the seed samples are being tested the commercial lots are kept in cold storage at the Mountain View Seeds warehouse in Salem, OR. The cold storage protects the viability of the endophyte and helps with breaking summer dormancy of the seed. Breaking summer dormancy will provide a more vigorous germination when planted this fall.
As the orders come in from distributors across the fescue belt the seed is finally packaged in 25lb branded bags, palletized and shrink wrapped for retail sale. In one short month from the initial swathing the seed is ready to ship!
Contact your local seed dealer or distributor to reserve your Estancia /ArkShield seed now, and you can enjoy the benefits of a safe and sustainable Estancia/ArkShield pasture like this Kentucky horse farm for years to come.
~ Article shared by Mountain View Seeds
The Alliance for Grassland Renewal 