Page 9 - MWC 03-11-2021

The Midwest Cattleman · March 11, 2021 · P9
Frost Seeding Legumes for Pasture Improvement

By Clif Little, OSU Extension, Agriculture and Natural Resources
Frost seeding of legumes in the and out-compete legume plants.
spring can be used to improve pas- A pasture or hayfield composed
ture, hay quality and yield. Red of 35% or more legume needs no
and white clover are the most fre- additional nitrogen. Below are
quently utilized legumes in frost some legume species and seeding
seeding. The freezing and thaw- options:
ing of late winter and early spring • Red clover 6-8 lbs./A and
can provide good legume seed to Birdsfoot Trefoil 3-4 lbs./A This
soil contact and germination. The combination provides good le-
following steps will help to ensure continued on page 16
frost seeding success.
Site selection – Choose a pas-
ture that has been closely grazed,
as a thin sod will likely reduce
competition and allow for seed to ®
soil contact. Legumes do best in GELBVIEH & BALANCER
well drained areas, and a south-
easterly facing slope will receive
more sunlight and favor legume
Smart. Reliable. Profitable. .
growth. Animals may be utilized Smart. Reliable. Profitable
to help trample seed in for better
soil contact. However, to allow for- Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics offer
®
age plants a chance to establish a ®
Gelbvieh and Balancer genetics offer
strong root system, remove them more pounds of calf weaned, added fertility,
when seed germination occurs in more pounds of calf weaned, added fertility,
and greater cow herd longevity.
the spring and keep them off these
fields for 4 weeks after germina- and greater cow herd longevity.
tion.
Fertility – Soil pH should be
approximately 6.0 or above. A soil
test should have been taken and if
needed, phosphate and potash can
be broadcast when soil conditions
allow. Soil test kits are available
at your local Extension office.
Inoculate legume seeds – If
the legume plant being seeded
does not currently exist in the
field, inoculate the legume seed
with the appropriate strains of ni-
trogen-fixing bacteria. Remember
inoculants should be stored in a
refrigerator from the time of pur-
chase to use. The rhizobia bacte-
ria can be killed at high tempera-
tures. Also, check the expiration
date on the inoculate package.
Some legume seed is sold with a
coating of inoculate already ad- gelbvieh.org
ministered to the seed. Be sure to
purchase certified weed free seed
which is no more than 1 year old. For a list of Gelbvieh breeders in your area, go to
Grazing management –
Allow newly seeded legume plants www.MissouriGelbvieh.com and click on Member List.
to grow. Do not overgraze newly
seeded plants just after germina-
tion. Manage grass height so as To request a FREE
to allow sunlight to reach clover 2020/21 HAGA Breeders Directory
plants. Clover and other legumes
are often the preferred forage 2020/21 e-mail ginger@ertelcattle.com
species of grazing animals. For BREEDERS or call 660.234.5265. Please
this reason, rest periods between DIRECTORY include your mailing information.
grazing may need to be adjusted gelbvieh.org
to allow for adequate legume re- Trenton, MO 64683 237 SW 30th Ave. Heart of America
growth. OF AMERICA Gelbvieh Association
HEART
GELBVIEH
Use nitrogen in small and split ASSOCIATION
applications when fields contain Gelbvieh & Balancer ® ... Kevin Ireland, President • 237 SW 30th Ave., Trenton, MO 64683 • 660-635-1433 • ksi1987@grundyec.net
The SmartCross ® For
legumes, as excess nitrogen will PERMIT #3 EUDORA, KS PAID US POSTAGE NON-PROFIT ORG. Hybrid Vigor & Profitability American Gelbvieh Association | 303-465-2333 | www.gelbvieh.org
likely cause grass to overcrowd
2021 HAGA Jr. Pg MWC -2.indd 1 3/1/21 9:57 AM