{"product_id":"au-merit-vetch-grass-seeds-50-lbs","title":"AU Merit Hairy Vetch Seeds","description":"\u003cdiv\u003e\n\u003ch4 class=\"Polaris-Text--root Polaris-Text--headingLg Polaris-Text--semibold Polaris-Text--base\" tabindex=\"-1\"\u003eAU Merit Hairy Vetch Seeds\u003c\/h4\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAU Merit Hairy Vetch Seeds are a purpose-bred forage and cover crop developed by Auburn University to maximize early biomass, reliable establishment, and nitrogen fixation across a wide range of soils. It’s an ideal choice for growers seeking a versatile option for both spring grazing and soil-building rotations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eOrigin and Breeding\u003c\/b\u003e: Developed by Auburn University to deliver superior forage yield, biomass production, and early flowering characteristics.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eHigh Forage Yields\u003c\/b\u003e: Produces up to 12% more forage than common hairy vetch, extending grazing windows and supporting richer livestock nutrition.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eEarly Maturity\u003c\/b\u003e: Matures about half a month earlier than other hairy vetch cultivars, enabling earlier nitrogen fixation and extended spring grazing opportunities.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eNitrogen Fixation Potential\u003c\/b\u003e: In NC State University trials (2008–2010), AU Merit contributed up to 175 lbs of nitrogen per acre, with positive effects on subsequent corn grain yields.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWinter Hardiness \u0026amp; Adaptability\u003c\/b\u003e: Demonstrates good tolerance in the Southeast and strong survivability in cover crop trials across Ohio, Kentucky, Pennsylvania, and New York.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eDisease Resistance \u0026amp; Seedling Vigor\u003c\/b\u003e: Exhibits good disease resistance and excellent seedling vigor, supporting reliable establishment even in challenging soils.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSoil Type Tolerance\u003c\/b\u003e: Performs across a wide range of soil types, making it a flexible option for varied field conditions.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eWildlife \u0026amp; Pollinators\u003c\/b\u003e: Provides abundant forage and flowers throughout the spring, supporting wildlife and pollinator health.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003ePlanting \u0026amp; Termination\u003c\/b\u003e: Planting window 3–6 weeks before the average first killing frost, depth ½–1½\", and methods including drill or light disking; termination options include roll kill or herbicide enabling no-till seeding into a terminated stand.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eSeeding Rates\u003c\/b\u003e: Drilled 15–20 lbs\/A; Broadcast 25–40 lbs\/A. Adapt rates to your specific field conditions and equipment for optimal stand establishment.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cb\u003eVersatility\u003c\/b\u003e: Serves effectively as both a fast-growing cover crop for soil fertility and a high-quality forage for early spring grazing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAU Merit Hairy Vetch Seeds deliver tangible, farm-ready benefits. As a cover crop, it fixes nitrogen quickly to improve soil fertility for the next crop, adds biomass to reduce erosion, and supports soil health across diverse soils. As a forage, it provides early, nutritious feed for spring grazing with a robust stand that establishes reliably even in less-than-ideal conditions. Its early maturity and strong establishment extend your rotation windows, while its nitrogen fixation potential—up to 175 lbs\/acre in trials—can reduce synthetic fertilizer needs and boost subsequent yields. With wide soil adaptability, disease resistance, and ongoing bloom, AU Merit also supports wildlife and pollinators. If you’re evaluating options for hairy vetch in a rotation, AU Merit stands out for yield, early payoff, and resilience across varied climates and soils.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Seed Ranch","offers":[{"title":"1 Lb.","offer_id":61540589601138,"sku":"AUmerit1","price":16.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"5 Lbs.","offer_id":61540589568370,"sku":"AUmerit5","price":40.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"10 Lbs.","offer_id":61540589535602,"sku":"AUmerit10","price":68.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"25 Lbs.","offer_id":61540589502834,"sku":"AUmerit25","price":138.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true},{"title":"50 Lbs.","offer_id":61540589470066,"sku":"AUmerit50","price":232.0,"currency_code":"AUD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0198\/8486\/files\/AU-Merit-production-field-_2__0.jpg?v=1768839497","url":"https:\/\/www.seedworldusa.com\/en-au\/products\/au-merit-vetch-grass-seeds-50-lbs","provider":"Seed World","version":"1.0","type":"link"}