Ten Great Ten Great Reasons for Reasons for

Growing Growing CloverCloverOregon Clover Commission

Oregon Clover Commission

1.1.Biological Nitrogen FixationBiological Nitrogen Fixation2.2. Improved Forage QualityImproved Forage Quality3.3.Better Distribution of Better Distribution of

GrowthGrowth4.4. Increased Forage YieldIncreased Forage Yield5.5.Reduced RiskReduced Risk6.6.Benefits in Crop RotationBenefits in Crop Rotation7.7.Reduced Animal ToxicitiesReduced Animal Toxicities8.8.Environmental AcceptabilityEnvironmental Acceptability9.9.More Interesting and More Interesting and

Attractive PasturesAttractive Pastures10.10.Increased ProfitIncreased Profit

Oregon Clover Commission

BiologicalBiologicalNitrogenNitrogenFixationFixation

Oregon Clover Commission

Nitrogen FixationNitrogen Fixation

40 to more than 200 40 to more than 200 pounds / acre / yearpounds / acre / year

Oregon Clover Commission

Oregon Clover Commission

Improved Improved Forage Forage QualityQuality

Oregon Clover Commission

Forage Quality DifferenceForage Quality Difference

Forage Crude Protein Digestibility Time in

Rumen

-------------%------------ hours

Grasses 15.3 55 90

Legumes 19.3 62 36Source: University of Kentucky

Oregon Clover Commission

Clover Increases GainClover Increases GainPasture Daily

GainLb/steer

Total Gain

Lb/steer

Total GainLb/A

Fescue + Ladino

1.53 307 582

Fescue + Nitrogen*

1.06 203 374

*150 lbs/N/ac/yrSource: Hoveland, et.al., Bull. #500, Alabama.

Oregon Clover Commission

Improved Improved Distribution Distribution of Growthof Growth

Oregon Clover Commission

YIELD

MONTHMAR FEB

Cool season grasses Do Not produce as well duringhot, dry months of summer. Deep-rooted clovers like red

clover can improve summer production.

AUG

SUMMERSLUMP

Winter annuals(small grain/annualryegrass/annual clovers) Warm-season

perennial grasses

Winter annuals(small grain/annualryegrass/annual clovers)

REL

ATI

VE G

RO

WTH

RA

TE

Growth curves for warm season perennial grasses and winter annuals.

Oregon Clover Commission

Increased Increased Forage Forage YieldYield

Oregon Clover Commission

Oregon Clover Commission

YIELDS (LB DM/AC) OF RYE, RYEGRASS YIELDS (LB DM/AC) OF RYE, RYEGRASS & LEGUMES;& LEGUMES;

6 LOCATIONS, 3 YR AVG6 LOCATIONS, 3 YR AVGRye, Ryegrass, 200# N 5,771Yuchi Arrowleaf Clover 5,530Turkish Clover 5,408Autauga Crimson Clover 5,331Regal Ladino Clover 5,248Redland Red Clover 5,226Cahaba White Vetch 5,008Mt. Barker Sub Clover 4,940

Hoveland & Alison - AAES Bulletin 543 Oregon Clover Commission

Reduced Reduced RiskRisk

Oregon Clover Commission

Benefits in Benefits in Crop Crop

RotationRotationOregon Clover Commission

Reduced Reduced Animal Animal

ToxicitiesToxicitiesOregon Clover Commission

Environmental Environmental AcceptabilityAcceptability

Oregon Clover Commission

More Interesting More Interesting and Attractive and Attractive

PasturesPasturesOregon Clover Commission

Increased Increased ProfitProfit

PotentialPotentialOregon Clover Commission

Oregon Clover Commission

Funding For This Presentation Was Provided By:

Oregon Clover CommissionP.O. Box 2042

Salem, Oregon 97308-2042Phone: 503-370-7019 FAX: 503-587-8063

E-mail: info@profadminserv.comwww.oregonclover.org

Developed by: Dr. Garry Lacefield, University of KentuckyDr. Don Ball, Auburn University

John McCulley, Oregon Clover Commission