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Hairy Vetch

Legume

Hairy Vetch Seed

Image Source: 1

Hairy Vetch Plant

Image Source: 2

Estimated Cost

$1.99

($/lb)

Planting Window

Fall seeded, spring seeded

Best for

Improving nitrogen availability

Alternate Species

Sunn Hemp, Red Clover, White Clover, Crimson Clover, Yellow Sweet Clover, Alfalfa, Spring Pea, Austrian Winter Pea

1. Steve Hurst, ARS Systematic Botany and Mycology Laboratory, United States, Virginia, Richmond, hosted by the USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

2. Tom Lawler 2021, Indigo Agriculture.

Seeding Detail

Hairy Vetch

Drilled Seeding Rate (lbs/ac)

15.0

Aerial Seeding Rate (lbs/ac)

22.0

Broadcast Seeding Rate (lbs/ac)

18.0

Additional Information

Why We Recommend This

Hairy vetch is one of the best dry matter producers and N fixers of any legume; it is capable of providing N to the upcoming crop and successfully outcompeting weeds. It can also improve water infiltration and decrease water surface ponding, soil crusting, and is a better P scavenger than other legumes. It is drought tolerant and successful in many different cropping systems.


 Things to Watch Out For

Hairy vetch is known to significantly increase the risk of Southern corn rootworm in no-till corn systems. 10 to 20% of hairy vetch seeds will not germinate until subsequent seasons, which can present a weed problem to other grains. Hairy vetch should not be planted with cash crop winter grains as vetch will pull down many of the stalks.

Neither Indigo nor any of its affiliates makes any representations, warranties or guarantees as to any specific results or outcomes, including, without limitation, with respect to soil health outcomes or any minimum amount of greenhouse gasses sequestered or number of carbon credits generated. Participation in Carbon by Indigo is subject to the terms, conditions and limitations of the program contained in the applicable enrollment agreement. Any payments under Carbon by Indigo are subject to multi-year vesting and are contingent on continued long-term maintenance of regenerative agricultural practices and soil carbon levels. All Carbon Credits generated are subject to buffer pool holdbacks required by third-party crediting; participants will not receive payments for such holdback. Not available in all areas.

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