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Forage Crops - SOS

Other legumes

Birdsfoot trefoil
(Lotus corniculatus L.)

Description / Uses BFT is a long-lived perennial forage legume grown primarily for pasture and hay BFT is fine-stemmed, leafy, and does not cause bloat Quality Harvested at flower, bft is equal in quality to alfalfa and red clover Protein declines with maturity and becomes more fibrous. Advantages Does not cause bloat High quality Long-lived perennial Reseeds itself by seed shattering Disadvantages More difficult to establish than alfalfa Slower regrowth compared to alfalfa Less N-fixation than alfalfa Not a tall growing plant

Sweet Clover
(Melilotus spp. )

Description / uses Oldest legume species brought to the U.S. Wide range of adaptability to soil and temperate zones Cultural practices are the same as alfalfa Advantages An excellent soil-improvement crop Very deep root system and adaptable to a wide range of soils. Excellent source of nectar for honeybees Disadvantages May become a weed problem due to hard seed content Contains coumarin, which prevents blood clotting and animals may bleed to death

Alsike Clover
(Trifolium hybridum L.)

Description / Uses A short-lived perennial that is adapted to the upper Great Lakes region and northern California Management and uses are very similar to that of red clover Susceptible to the same insects and diseases as red clover Susceptible to the same diseases as red clover Advantages Adapted to cool climates and wetter soils Tolerates more acidic and alkaline soils than alfalfa and other clovers Disadvantages Will produce only one harvestable crop per year May be injured by prolonged hot weather Hard to determine full bloom because it is a indeterminate plant

Crimson Clover
(Trifolium incarnatum L.)

Description / Uses Winter annual that is best adapted to the south-eastern U.S. In Maine and northern states it is considered a summer annual Advantages High quality can be obtained if harvested prior to bloom Will aid in soil retention when planted for a winter/spring grazing crop Susceptible to few disease since it is a winter annual Heavy pubescence reduces most insect problems Disadvantages Old varieties have a high hard seed content similar to sweet clover Must reseed every year which increase costs

 

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