HIGH YIELDS, WIDE
ADAPTATION, AND EARLY MATURITY
AU Merit was bred by Auburn University
specifically for high forage and biomass
production and early flowering. The result is a
variety which exhibits high forage yields (up
to 12% higher than common hairy vetch),
early maturity, good disease resistance,
excellent seedling vigor and tolerance to a
wide range of soil types.
EARLY MATURITY
AU Merit is nearly ½ month earlier than other hairy vetch
cultivars. When used as a cover crop, this means more
biological N fixation (BNF) potential exists for early spring
planted crops. Forage producers will also enjoy the early
abundance of highly nutritious forage for spring grazing.
LOTS OF NITROGEN
AU Merit was evaluated as part of an extensive cover crop
nitrogen study conducted by North Carolina State
University in 2008-10. In this trial, AU Merit showed up to
175 lbs. of N/acre and direct positive grain yield contributions to the following corn crop.
WINTER HARDINESS
While a full winter hardiness evaluation has not yet been
completed, AU Merit is known for exhibiting good tolerance in
the Southeast US as well as showing good to excellent
survivability in cover crop trials in Ohio, Kentucky,
Pennsylvania, and New York.
WILDLIFE AND POLLINATORS
AU Merit provides wildlife and pollinators abundant forage
and flowers throughout the spring growing season.
