Professor Emeritus, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT and Chief Agronomist, Timeless Seeds, Conrad, MT.
Selections were made periodically from 'Robinson' snail medic imported from South Australia in 1976. Selections were based on early growth during Montana spring weather and on forage (biomass) production. The variety 'Jamie' was released in February, 1998.
'Sava' snail medic was "late seeded" into summer fallow fields from 26 July to 8 August, 1993 at eight locations throughout Montanas' dryland grain producing areas where saline seeps were suspected to be likely to increase in size due to about 200%+ growing season rainfall. Stands were excellent, water was used and soils were protected from wind erosion throughout the fall/winter windy season.
Producers in central and eastern Montana report approximately 1 AUM/acre from Black Medic pastures maintained in rotation with annual crops, primarily wheat.