Improved white clover worth the price?

[badaxemoo]

In general, are the "improved" white clovers worth the extra money, or should I just stick with a straight Ladino?

I was think of buying a couple bags of Kopu II to try, bit it's $4/lb. vs. $3/lb for the older varieties. Supposedly it has greater persistence>

 

[Dave]

In general, yes. There is of course regional differences but those can be helped by planting a variety that was bred for you region and conditions. And seeding rates for clover are fairly low in pounds per acre because clover seed is so small. So, although it is a dollar a pound more there are only a few pounds per acre.

 

[western]

In general, are the "improved" white clovers worth the extra money, or should I just stick with a straight Ladino?

I was think of buying a couple bags of Kopu II to try, bit it's $4/lb. vs. $3/lb for the older varieties. Supposedly it has greater persistence>

I agree! I have heard Kopu II is a better grazing variety as well. higher stolon (sp?) density.

 

[pasturedave]

I have seen Kopu II at Marshfield, West Salem, Lancaster, and Arlington, Wisconsin several times and it is far more persistent than VNS ladino. It was actually the best clover at all sights. Here in Northern Indiana and also in Michigan we have to be careful not to plant more than 2#/acre because it is so persistent; much better than other varieties of white clover.

 

[western]

I have seen Kopu II at Marshfield, West Salem, Lancaster, and Arlington, Wisconsin several times and it is far more persistent than VNS ladino. It was actually the best clover at all sights. Here in Northern Indiana and also in Michigan we have to be careful not to plant more than 2#/acre because it is so persistent; much better than other varieties of white clover.

Do you have to worry about Kopu II taking over your pasture? I've heard a lot about Durana and Patriot... i wonder how Kopu II compares.

 

[Dave]

I have seen and heard some good things about Alice too. Does anyone have experience with it?

 

[rmcva]

I have seen and heard some good things about Alice too. Does anyone have experience with it?

I had some but may have lost it all in last years drought. After it started to rain in Sept. I could see some clover leaves but very small.Don't know if it was the Alice or other type. So I won't know until spring if the Alice made it or died.

This(07) would have been it's 5th year. I sewed it in fescue on some tobacco land. By the 3rd year you could see it was putting out more nitrogen. I was very pleased with it. Will be even more pleased if it puts out this spring and survived last years drought. The seed are expensive. Last I bought was about $90 for 25 pounds. I'm sure it's higher now. What isn't? :roll:

So I guess the drought will be the test for me. If it comes out this spring I will buy more Alice. Droughts are so close together now it's hard to keep clover from one year to the next.

 

[western]

I have seen and heard some good things about Alice too. Does anyone have experience with it?

I had some but may have lost it all in last years drought. After it started to rain in Sept. I could see some clover leaves but very small.Don't know if it was the Alice or other type. So I won't know until spring if the Alice made it or died.

This(07) would have been it's 5th year. I sewed it in fescue on some tobacco land. By the 3rd year you could see it was putting out more nitrogen. I was very pleased with it. Will be even more pleased if it puts out this spring and survived last years drought. The seed are expensive. Last I bought was about $90 for 25 pounds. I'm sure it's higher now. What isn't? :roll:

So I guess the drought will be the test for me. If it comes out this spring I will buy more Alice. Droughts are so close together now it's hard to keep clover from one year to the next.

Here is a link to an article from the U. of Wis. comparing Alice and Kopu II

http://www.agriview.com/articles/2004/0 ... ucer01.txt