Red clover seeded in winter or early spring may be grazed the first summer. In general, red clover is more productive in southern Wisconsin where the growing season is longer as compared to northern Wisconsin. Greg Andrews – UW Extension, Pierce County It is often suggested that you should mow your clover plots 2-3 times during the growing season depending on conditions. Ladino clover food plots require very little maintenance and care once established. Slight different school of thought like Bill said but I thought it might be helpful to some…, Catchem unfortunately I have a ton of experience mowing clover! To sow clover alone, mix it with enough sand to facilitate spreading. Also called incarnate clover because of their blood-red blooms, crimson clover has been used as a cover crop in the United States since the mid-1800s. Existing clover patches can be encouraged by mowing with the blades set at 1.5-2 inches, which favors clover over most traditional turf grasses. Do not graze from Sept. 10 to Nov. 1 or frost, whichever occurs first. High yield is obtained by sowing of 3.63 to 4.54 kg of red clover seeds per acre in a well-prepared soil. Some people mow them more regularly, to keept he clover lush, but I find that my deer keep the clover mowed without any real help. On a dry sandy soil, it may only need cutting twice in the season. Most growth occurs in summer and autumn. Later cuttings can be made at late-bud or early-bloom stage. Red clover cultivars that were developed during the 1970s and 1980s proved to be higher yielding, more disease resistant, and persistent than those that were developed prior to 1970. Will be using a NH 256 rolabar rake and a NH 5070 small square baler. 5 Reasons Food Plots Fail – Don’t fall victim to one of these five common food plot mistakes. Along with detailed management information on the most commonly used species—including grasses, grains, brassicas and mustards, and legumes—Managing Cover Crops Profitably offers chapters on the role of cover crops in […] However, significant forage yield and quality differences were measured among harvest management systems. I have always mowed my clover when the weeds start to become obvious. Good luck. Generally, all that is required to maintain a hearty forage base is a high mowing (if it’s a large plot >1 acre) to control annual broadleaves or at least one or two herbicide sprayings a year to keep the grass and other weeds at bay. However, red clover is particularly sensitive to soil moisture conditions, and forage productivity can be limited with dry soil conditions. Also called incarnate clover because of their blood-red blooms, crimson clover has been used as a cover crop in the United States since the mid-1800s. I'm not really sure what is the best way to rake and bale it. 1998. Smith, M.J. Mlynarek, R.E. (Lol) For like 5 or 6 years all I had to mow it was a lawn mower and it would mow it about 4” max. The first harvest of red clover should be made when the field is at early bloom. When comparing the various cut systems for total season yield, the three-cut system was the highest yielding system (Figure 1). Mowing will stall the maturation process and promote growth of runners and “daughter” plants. Farmers should harvest red clover three times (2 summer cuts + a late fall cut) when it is between bud stage and 20% bloom stage for optimum forage yield, quality, and persistence. This often involves a herbicide treatment or mowing. In fact, the clover is actually a lawn conditioner. Its use began as early as the mid 1800s and interest in using it increased around 1940. Grain production in the Midwest in general has been severely affected by the drought. Red clover requires no watering, no mowing, and no fertilizers to thrive (making it great for xeriscape gardens). How to make red clover hay - posted in Alfalfa/Hay: I mowed a field of pure red clover with the haybine at 5 oclock this evening. In fact when red clover has a lot of late summer or fall regrowth, it may be better to harvest the crop to reduce the risk of winter smothering. With this harvest system farmers end up cutting too late to obtain maximum forage quality. Here is a prime example of why I recommend establishing your new clover plot seedings for whitetails in the fall with a nurse crop of winter rye. Mowing when you start seeing white clover heading out can keep the plot vigorous and increase stolon or runner production. Traditionally, red clover is cut twice a year when it is at 50% bloom or greater. In maritime, Soil erosion concerns after silage harvest Some guys prefer to mow twice a summer to keep the clover lush and growing so it is most attractive to the deer. Red clover generally establishes quickly and can grow on soils too wet or too acid for alfalfa. There are also some times and reasons not to mow. In a multi-year study, five red clover varieties were seeded at Northern, Central, and Southern Wisconsin locations. 4. Red clover and oats also make suitable companion plants. Undersander. With this harvest system farmers end up cutting too late to obtain maximum forage quality. Two-cut systems were lower yielding than three and four cut systems. When well managed and properly fertilized, newer varieties of red clover can potentially yield 4 to 5 tons of good quality forage. Maximum nutrient yields are obtained by harvesting red clover when the plants are between bud stage and 20% bloom. Best suited to well-drained, fertile, slightly acid to neutral soils. Plots were harvested for two years after the seeding year under the following harvest management systems: Red clover varieties were evaluated for forage yield, forage quality, and persistence. “It’s a myth that you have to mow in order to have a nutritious clover plot,” said Craig. Mowing when you start seeing white clover heading out can keep the plot vigorous and increase stolon or runner production. Some guys prefer to mow twice a summer to keep the clover lush and growing so it is most attractive to the deer. Forages cut at bud stage had the highest concentration of crude protein (CP) and lowest concentration of neutral detergent fiber (NDF) and acid detergent fiber (ADF). Thanks again keep up the good work. Continue reading for more crimson clover information. [email protected]. Red clover ( Trifolium pratense ) is used worldwide as a fodder plant due its high nutritional value. Red clover is also considered as a medicinal plant. by Ken Barnett1 Is there a specific time of the year you would recommend doing it; spring, mid-summer, or late summer? There are also some times and reasons not to mow. When adding clover to an existing lawn, first mow it close and remove any thatch to allow the seed to fall to the soil surface. Renegade is classified as semi-dormant in winter growth habit, and provides more grazing than Ladino clover during hot summer months. 5 Reasons Food Plots Fail – Don’t fall victim to one of these five common food plot mistakes. Overall, there were insignificant forage yield differences among varieties. Red Clover Cutting Management. If you do not understand the ideal dietary recommendations, consult an animal feed expert, veterinarian, or other qualified professional. In the middle of summer, stop mowing to encourage clover from flowering and seeding. Managing Cover Crops Profitably explores how and why cover crops work, and provides all the information needed to build cover crops into any farming operation. It will also remove weeds that have grown after harvest. Early flowering red clover types include common medium red clover, suitable for 2-3 hay cuttings per year. I thought man is this stuff gonna come back worth a darn? If it blooms before Sept. 10, it should be removed. Cutting red clover at bud stage results in lower yield per cut than at 20% or 40% bloom stage of maturity. If not, the best time to mow is when you see clover plants begin to flower. Provide minimal benefits to nature, it should be cut regularly when it is at its most productive on! S hot and dry i only like to mow and it seems that the clover lush growing. Applying nitrogen fertilizer by Ken Barnett1 Introduction the legume and grass content a! 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