If peas or vetch are included in a seeding mixture, seeding should be completed by September 30 in areas having a growing season comparable to Central and Southern Maryland and by October 10 in areas with a growing season comparable to the Delmarva Peninsula. Peas and vetch are not adapted for double-crop spring silage production in mountainous areas of western Maryland, West Virginia and western and northern Pennsylvania. If seeding mixtures of small grains only, seeding dates should correspond with the normal seeding dates for the least winter-hardy species contained in the mixture. Early fall growth on winter small grain crops can be grazed during late fall and winter. Moderate fall and winter grazing has little deleterious effect on subsequent grains yields.
Damage occurs from heavy or late spring grazing which can seriously reduce grain production.
In some cases the forage may not be grazed for 6 weeks after planting. Suggested seeding rates for small grain species seeded alone and in various combinations for winter silage production.