lukem86
Well-known member
Anybody using birdsfoot trefoil in their pastures? Have you tried it in the past?.?.? Thinking about seeding some of it down this spring, but am looking for some opinions first...
thanks
thanks
lukem86":3hvj8psr said:Anybody using birdsfoot trefoil in their pastures? Have you tried it in the past?.?.? Thinking about seeding some of it down this spring, but am looking for some opinions first...
thanks
luke- Birdsfoot Trefoil is our major forage source. We have used it for pasture, haylage production, and dry hay. It is the most economical for us: Doesn't require heavy adjustment for lime as alfalfa does here(Northern WI)., Reseeds itself, and a good stand will maintain production several years beyond a clover or alfalfa stand.lukem86":z8zkujan said:Anybody using birdsfoot trefoil in their pastures? Have you tried it in the past?.?.? Thinking about seeding some of it down this spring, but am looking for some opinions first...
thanks
How soon after planting do you turn cattle out in pasture?K-SHIRES":7yfwbcut said:luke- Birdsfoot Trefoil is our major forage source. We have used it for pasture, haylage production, and dry hay. It is the most economical for us: Doesn't require heavy adjustment for lime as alfalfa does here(Northern WI)., Reseeds itself, and a good stand will maintain production several years beyond a clover or alfalfa stand.lukem86":7yfwbcut said:Anybody using birdsfoot trefoil in their pastures? Have you tried it in the past?.?.? Thinking about seeding some of it down this spring, but am looking for some opinions first...
thanks
B4 I go further, should ask, Pasture for horses or cattle? Horses will not eat green growing trefoil. They will eat it as dry baled hay-if they are hungry. Cattle, on the other hand, if not previously exposed to trefoil, may take 10 days to accept it. After that, they love it and thrive on it. Seems to be an acquired taste.
As far as seeding, do not plant unless soil is 50F for good results. We have broadcast seeded it on paddocks along with clovers, alfalfa and had good results. For a newly tilled field or future hayfield, we use Brillion seeder, go abou 14-16 lbs. per acre for a good stand. A truly good stand(6 Tons/acre forage hayfield) takes about 2 years to really get thick. It's a slow starter. But once it takes off, stands will persist 8, 10....and more years. It's tough stuff.
Just for info: The old EMPIRE variety is low to ground, thick and wiry, but will stand up to extreme grazing pressure. The newer varieties, VIKING, for example, stand more upright like alfalfa, have finer stems, and faster regrowth. Won't stay in ground as long though. Just depends what you're after.
Best of luck if you decide to give it a go.
Lukem - In our country we don't usually plant grass because too much of it is going to come along wanted or not. For your beef/rot. grazing, You can probably get away with grazing late August to fall IF: You remove cattle after heavy rain so they don't tear up seedlings, and you move them thru a FAST rotation(Just let them top it off) the first time thru.lukem86":aib05q34 said:K-
Thank you for you responses.... You mentioned seeding with clovers and alfalfa, have you seeded with any grasses before? I have only seen where guys have seeded it with bluegrass, would it work to put some brome or ryegrass in with it?
This pasture is for beef cattle, will be rotationally grazed, planning on moving cattle everyday... Do you think from a production/yield standpoint it will yield as much as say an alfalfa, ryegrass, brome mixture?
Good or bad idea.... Seeding this spring, letting the pasture get established (can be irrigated if we dont get rain), and grazing toward the end of the summer. Would this let the trefoil get established enough? I would have the option to keep the stocking rate down until next year... This pasture is on a new farm, I need to put up fences during the summer so the animals will not be on it right away...
Thanks
lukem86":9upjedo3 said:K-
I know the cattle dont bloat on trefoil but with nothing but clovers in there and little grass at first dont you still run the risk of the cattle bloating?
you also talked about only letting them top the trefoil off the first time through... would you run another rotation this late (late aug/sept) ? Or just the one time?
We are down by milwaukee, this particular farm is a lot of red clay...OM is fairly high though, has been notill corn and soy for 10 years, corn on corn the last 3...
lukem86":91glmqsb said:k-
What seed companies carry empire and viking varieties that you know of? Thanks....
Olds is coming out with a variety called Vull, i believe its a semi-erect, for both hay and pasture..
K-SHIRES":2asro54z said:;-) HUTCH AND ALL ,
****One of the more successful methods of establishing killer stands of Trefoil is to plant it in August with a cover crop of winter wheat. Good strategy on low, wet ground hard to get on in the spring.