Birdsfoot Trefoil Seed - Birdsfoot trefoil is a long-lived perennial legume ideally suited for many grass-legume pastures in central northeast. It grows and produces forage during July and August when most cool-season grasses are semi-dormant. Trefoil does not cause bloat, as do many other commonly used legumes.
A combination of trefoil and bluegrass or other cool-season grasses will produce three times as much feed as unimproved grass. Even heavily fertilized grass will produce one-third less beef per acre than a trefoil-bluegrass combination.
Other benefits from introducing trefoil into grass pastures include 30 percent higher daily gains by the grazing animals and more uniform distribution of forage production. Trefoil makes 60 percent of its production during June, July and August.
Plant: 5-10 lbs. per acre.
Region of adaptation
Birdsfoot trefoil will grow anywhere in Missouri, but it is more persistent in the northern and central regions. It produces exceptionally well on Shelby-Grundy and similar soil types. It has been least successful on level soils with poor internal drainage, such as Putnam and Mexico soil types. In poorly drained soils, diseases such as root rot become more severe and careful grazing management is necessary to maintain stands. It is not as sensitive to acid soils and soils with low fertility as most other legumes except lespedeza.
Use
In Missouri, birdsfoot trefoil should be used primarily as a pasture legume. It should not be expected to replace alfalfa or other forages as a hay crop for several reasons. It doesn't have the yielding ability of most legumes when managed as a hay crop, and in some cases it has been damaged when cut for hay.
Establishment
Trefoil is no more difficult to establish than other forages, but it requires a different technique. During the seedling period (first 60 to 90 days of life), it is less aggressive than most plants, so competition from other plants must be controlled.
Trefoil may be seeded in late winter, early spring or fall. Usually, late winter or early spring (February or early March) is ideal. For seedlings delayed to late April or early May, chemicals should be used for weed control.
Fall seeds have the advantage of less competition from weeds, but seedling failure is possible due to inadequate moisture, increased insect numbers, winter kill and heaving. Fall seedings should be before Sept. 1.
Suggested trefoil seeding rates are four to five pounds per acre. One pound of trefoil seed per acre is equivalent to 10 seeds per square foot. A seeding rate of five pounds in the spring should allow for around 15 plants per square foot the first fall and from five to 10 plants the following June. A full stand is considered to be around five plants per square foot.
Control competition to seedings
The competition produces shade and also competes for available moisture. For control, consider the following:
* Use a pre-emergent herbicide at seeding time if there is a great possibility of competition from weedy grasses. Seeding cost may increase, but establishment probability greatly increases.
* If no herbicide is used, a small-grain nurse crop, kept clipped and grazed to prevent competition, can be used. By using a crop readily accepted by animals, the type of competition is controlled. However, such a nurse crop can compete as weeds if not managed.
* Band seed trefoil in a fairly rough seedbed. A phosphate starter (50 to 100 pounds P2O4) placed under the seed band offers an ideal seedbed of high fertility and discourages weeds between the seeded rows. The trefoil seedling will start and grow faster than weeds, reducing the competition.
* Avoid planting more vigorous legumes with the trefoil. Alfalfa and red clover compete vigorously as most common weeds.
* Nitrogen may increase competition. Avoid fertilizer containing nitrogen when establishing trefoil.
Trefoil is not as sensitive to low pH or acid soils as are alfalfa and clover. However, it will not produce its best under low pH conditions. A salt pH above 5.5 is recommended.
Trefoil will grow on low-fertility soils; however, as on low pH soils, it will not do its best. Extremely low phosphate and potash levels should be raised before seeding if possible. Also a topdressing program should be initiated after establishment (fertilization needs).
Inoculation is extremely important for new seedings
Trefoil requires a specific rhizobium bacteria for inoculation. The inoculum should be stored in a cool place until ready for use and then applied to the seed. To help the inoculum stick to the seed, mix small quantities of sugar water, soda pop or condensed milk with the seed before mixing in the inoculum.
Trefoil may be established in rough or finely prepared soils; however, it is essential that the immediate seedbed for the seed be very firm. This may be accomplished by using a packer behind the drill or by using a brillion seeder. More satisfactory results are usually obtained with a drill or brillion seeder than by broadcasting and packing the soil.
Trefoil may also be seeded into existing bluegrass sod.
Varieties
Consider varieties carefully. In northern Missouri, Empire may do as well as Dawn, but moving southward, Dawn should be more beneficial. Dawn was developed at the University of Missouri on the basis of its increased resistance to diseases and can usually withstand more abuse than Empire.
Carroll, a variety developed by Iowa State University, may be of particular interest to northern Missouri producers. Carroll is a large-seed trefoil with more seedling vigor than Dawn or Empire.
Companion grasses
Bluegrass, where adapted, is the favored grass to grow with trefoil. Bunch grasses, such as timothy and orchardgrass, may also be used to good advantage with trefoil. Vigorous, sod-forming grasses such as bromegrass and fescue are sometimes used, but are more apt to crowd trefoil out of the stand in four or five years.
Seeding mixtures and rates
Keep the seeding mixture simple when using trefoil. Including two tall grasses in the mixture can bring uneven grazing and excessive competition in spots. Also, adjust seeding rates to suit the soil and climate of the area.
Suggested mixtures -- five pounds Birdsfoot trefoil along with:
* Timothy (two pounds) and Kentucky Bluegrass (one pound), or Orchardgrass (three pounds) and Kentucky Bluegrass (one pound). Omit the bluegrass if the seeding is to be made in old bluegrass sod or if Kentucky Bluegrass is not adapted to the area.
* Tall fescue, (five to eight pounds). Heavier seeding rates may be harder to manage growth that can over-compete w
