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Frost Seeding Legumes
DR. ANTHONY OHMES
JACKSON, MO.
Research has shown that investing in legumes in cool-season grass pastures will result in improved forage quality and yield while reducing overall fertilizer costs. Legumes, such as clover, fix atmospheric nitrogen (free N) and when legumes make up 20 percent to 30 percent of overall stand the result is little to no nitrogen required for the companion cool-season grass crop. Legumes not only reduce the need for nitrogen, they also improve overall livestock daily gain and conception rates. Legumes help reduce the negative effects of ergovaline, the toxin produce by endophyte infected KY 31 fescue.
White (Ladino) clover is the most suited companion legume for pastures and the cheapest to spread. Other legumes include red clover and annual lespedeza. Red clover is more suited for hay production since it less tolerant to grazing than white. Annual lespedeza should be considered in the mix since its production is during summer, therefore, providing some feed when cool-season grass and clover production tends decrease.
Frost seeding is the most common method employed by producers. The window for frost seeding legumes is typically February. Later planting will reduce overall success of establishment since it is the freezing and thawing action of the soil that moves seed into the soil/seed zone. Seeding rates for ladino clover, red clover and annual lespedeza are 2 lbs/A, 10 lbs/A, and 25 lbs/A of pure live seed, respectively. Also, it is important to consider inoculating clover seed to insure good nodulation especially in fields where legumes have not been in the mix for some time. For more information on frost seeding legumes into existing pasture contact your local MU Extension Center and ask for guides G4651 and G4652, “Renovating Grass Sods with Legumes” and “Seeding Rates, Dates, and Depths for Common Missouri Forages” or find them on the web: http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G4651 and http://extension.missouri.edu/p/G4652. ∆
DR. ANTHONY OHMES: Agronomy Specialist, University of Missouri
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