A similar study in Montana (Table 11-14) but with alfalfa seeded in rows 30.5 cm (12 in) apart showed that a seeding rate of 15.7 kg/ha (14 lb/ac) was required to produce the highest yield in the seedling year (Cooper, Ditterline, and Welty 1979). No advantage of size of seed was found. Seedling density was as good or better with small as with large seeds at the same seeding rate. Donald (1963) explained seeding rate in forages as having to reach equilibria in mixtures. If full production is desired in the first year of a perennial forage crop, then a heavy seeding rate must be used, but this will lead to plant losses