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FILLING IN DROWNED-OUT
SPOTS WITH CLOVER
I recently suggested that we can fill in some of the
drowned-out spots in alfalfa fields with Ladino clover. Several people seemed to be
interested and wanted to know how to do it. I am not sure of all the details, but here are
some suggested steps.
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Improve drainage, if possible.
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Disk to kill weeds that have come in since the floods and
to prepare a seed bed.
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Fertilize as for good alfalfa production.
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Sow Ladino clover at about 3 or 4 lb/acre. Seeds are much
smaller than alfalfa.
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Plant with a grain drill at a depth of a 1/4" to
1/2".
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Rows can be 15 to 20 inches apart because Ladino clover
will spread. This allows us to block some seed drops, if necessary to get the low planting
rate.
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Ladino clover can be sown later than alfalfa (early
October).
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Let it get established during the first winter. Do not
graze Ladino clover before it is well established.
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Avoid use of dormant-season herbicides where Ladino
clover was planted during the first winter.
WHY USE LADINO CLOVER?? Here are a few things we
know.
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We know that the drowned spots will become weedy and
contaminate much of the hay in subsequent harvests.
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We know that it is difficult (or impossible) to reestablish
alfalfa in the wet spots.
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We know that white clover will grow standing in water much
better than alfalfa and most other clovers.
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We know alfalfa contaminated with white clover will not be
noticed as grasses and most other clovers.
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We know Ladino clover produces high quality hay (equal to
alfalfa or better).
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We know red clover (another perennial clover) makes black
hay that would not look good in alfalfa. Also, Red clover generally thins faster than
alfalfa.
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We know arrowleaf clover (an annual clover) gets stemmy
during June and July. In addition arrowleaf clover must reseed each year.
This will work to keep down the weeds and utilize the
drown-out spots. Some Ladino clover will be in the first cuttings each spring, not much in
later cuttings.
The choice of varieties is probably of little importance.
Regal has been a popular variety. Cal/West Seeds has other varieties that are similar.
Louisiana S-1 flowers much earlier and produces much less forage than Regal, C/W 190, and
C/W 191.
Try a little Ladino clover and let others know how it
worked. |
