white clover planting question

[cypressfarms]

Hi all,

I bought a sack of white clover over a month ago. I was waiting for some rain before I planted. I've already planted ryegrass, and just recently we received enough rain to get a stand.

My question is when is the latest that I can plant the white clover. I live in south Louisiana so the climate is very user friendly, I've heard until Dec 15th, but I wanted to post to see if anyone had any other opinions. This stuff was $75 a sack, so I really don't want to waste it.

 

[Crowderfarms]

Hi all,

I bought a sack of white clover over a month ago. I was waiting for some rain before I planted. I've already planted ryegrass, and just recently we received enough rain to get a stand.

My question is when is the latest that I can plant the white clover. I live in south Louisiana so the climate is very user friendly, I've heard until Dec 15th, but I wanted to post to see if anyone had any other opinions. This stuff was $75 a sack, so I really don't want to waste it.

You may want to PM Mr. Billy, he's the resident God of Sod. We put out Regal Ladino, was 118.00 a bag. You dont want to waste it no matter what it costs, but I've always been told Clover seed will last in the ground for years, and come up eventually, if conditions get right.

 

[cypressfarms]

Thanks Crowder,

PM is on the way.

 

[preston39]

Hi all,

I bought a sack of white clover over a month ago. I was waiting for some rain before I planted. I've already planted ryegrass, and just recently we received enough rain to get a stand.

My question is when is the latest that I can plant the white clover. I live in south Louisiana so the climate is very user friendly, I've heard until Dec 15th, but I wanted to post to see if anyone had any other opinions. This stuff was $75 a sack, so I really don't want to waste it.

====
cypressfarms,

My dad always liked to sow clover on a snow...and we do too. Even in your area I would not think there is enough time left for growth and a good root system development before the end of growth period and possible cold snap. A cold or light freezing....soon to come no doubt...should be considered for sowing. i think crowder is correct..the seed will lay there for sometime and then come up. But, we think the ultimate loss of seed germination is greater.

 

[cypressfarms]

Well some good news.

Yesterday evening I planted the clover in my ryegrass fields with my trusty sidekick (my middle daughter). Not even an hour later the rain started. In all we got just over an inch of rain. Wife told me I need to put a little extra in the collection plate at church. Anyway, got lucky this time; I just hope it's not too late for the clover to come up and be helpful in my ryegrass pastures.

 

[cypressfarms]

TCM,

Your right about bloat, but planted with ryegrass it normally doesn't cause a problem. The amount of clover in the field will (if we keep getting rain) be very minor compared to the ryegrass, but enough to give some major protein to the cows. I always put a "bloat block" out in the spring when the clover comes in, and keep an eye out.

Also wanting to get a couple of cuttings of hay this spring from it, and the clover will definitely help out there.

 

[preston39]

Tenn....,

Clover has always been a standard part of the pasture mix here in the mid south/west...when you can keep it. It's fickle, especially red clover.

It is great in putting nutrients back into the soil. Given the costs of ferterlizer,etc...it is often recommended in most pasture management reviews. We have fescue,OG and clover or timothy,rye and clover in different fields and never had a problem. But, like fescue and some other types it must be managed in the herd environment. When we happen to have a good stand in a season we anxiously cut it for hay..the cows seem to love it and do well.

Just some varying thoughts.

 

[preston39]

You are right experience causes us to be a little leary. We drilled 140 acres of winter wheat in september for additional winter pasture. as I drive thru for review I am reminded of the loss of a commercial cow some few years ago after she spent about 12 hours in the field in early December. We normally let them on it in middle january for short periods for a few days.After which they seem to handle it fine.

 

[cypressfarms]

Tenn....,

Clover has always been a standard part of the pasture mix here in the mid south/west...when you can keep it. It's fickle, especially red clover.

Just some varying thoughts.

White clover works great down here. Not only will it come back year after year, it will increase in your pasture. For us, we have a month or so in the spring when the ryegrass is starting to fade and the summer grass hasn't kicked in fully. Clover can help fill that gap down here. It's a very high quality forage.

 

[dun]

So9me of our pastures have as much as 50% clover, mostly red. The cows just graze right through it like they do the grass parts of the pasture. Maybe it's because we have so much clover that they don;t consider it anything special.

dun