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The Midwest Cattleman · February 3, 2022 · P16
Legumes – Don’t Overlook Annual Lespedeza
By Keith Carmichael
Legumes more than pay
their own way
I’m sure you have priced ni-
trogen lately. There is another
source. Legumes added to the
pasture or hayfield produce
nitrogen which eventually be-
comes available to grasses as
well and they are a very im-
portant protein source.
Without legumes, you
really don’t have your
very best pasture or
hay scenario.
They add more intake, bet-
ter performance, and gain per
acre. Without them, you’re
leaving money on the table.
Over-seeding pastures and Legend lespedeza Photo by Ron Locke
hay fields with legumes is
basic, common-sense man- ity and diversity like the pro- very productive summer for- sure you have annual
agement. No single legume fessionals, use several types age for over two decades. lespedeza in your plan.
can do it all. Soil fertility, pH, of clover and perhaps alfalfa Double Crop Lespedeza Legend Lespedeza - now
texture, and drainage all help if your soil pH will support after wheat for Summer in its 22nd year
determine which legume is it. If not, you should insist on Grazing or Hay From northern Missouri and
best for your operation. If you annual lespedeza. The tall- When wheat harvest and southeast Kansas to Geor-
believe in having forage qual- er, more productive Legend straw baling is finished, there
lespedeza has proven to be a gia there has been renewed
can be other options besides interest in annual lespedeza
soybeans. Many producers mostly because of the success
use summer annual forages of Legend lespedeza. This
for grazing to either fill that annual-striate lespedeza that
summer slump or keep live- has been grown effectively
stock gaining. Wheat acres for both pasture and hay all
provide an excellent opportu- over the lower Midwest and
nity for double cropping with throughout the South is now
forages that when harvested in its 22nd year of commercial
at the proper growth stage production.
can provide high quality late Compared to other types,
gestation - early lactation for- the taller Legend exhibits a
age. greater leaf to stem ratio. In
Annual Lespedeza some tests the advantage in
Annual Lespedeza is well dry-matter yield has proved
known for its unique toler- to be 2 to 1. Producers who
ance to drought and low pH have grown a variety of les-
soils. It is also one of the pedezas over the years char-
few legumes that has no risk acterize Legend as a “very
of bloat. Adding annual les- leafy lespedeza that grows
pedeza with other legumes taller and reseeds itself very
into cool-season grass pas- well”.
tures can mean extra forage Annual lespedeza should
and therefore extra pounds not be confused with its pe-
because many grasses often rennial cousin – Sericea
leave a significant forage gap which is a serious weed prob-
in summer months. Milk pro- lem in many areas.
duction, weaning weights and Spring, Summer, and Fall
reproductive efficiency are all When planting the newer,
closely tied to the animal nu- safer types of fescues, or other
trition during this period. cool-season grasses, lespedeza
is the one legume that can be
If you want cows to recommended as a compan-
milk and breed, and ion the first season because it
calves to gain during
the summer, make continued on page 32
