General Description

Hairy vetch is an annual or biennial, hardy, cool season agronomic legume, also commonly referred to as fodder vetch, winter vetch, or sand vetch. It has a weak tap root that grows up to 60 to 90 cm (24 to 35 in) with many side branches in the top 20 cm (8 in) and is known as an excellent nitrogen fixer. 

Type

Tame legume.

Origin

Native to Europe and Asia. Now the most used vetch in North America.

Longevity

Annual or biennial.

Use

Hay, grazing, erosion control. Consumption of seed can be poisonous to livestock. Hairy vetch is especially known for erosion control, bank stabilization, winter cover crop, and soil conditioning. It can be a suitable plant in organic and no-till pasture and cropping systems.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring and winter. 

Recovery After Use

The growth habit of hairy vetch means it is typically used once per grazing season.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

High palatability, high crude protein values and very digestible.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

450mm / 600mm.

Drought Tolerance

High drought tolerance.

Flooding Tolerance

Some flooding tolerance but not adapted to poorly drained soils.

Winter Hardiness

Winter hardy but dependent on good snow cover. Vetch seeded alone may be vulnerable to frost heave damage.

Soil Texture Preference

Prefers sandy soils but is adapted to all soil textures.

Erosion Control

High ability to control erosion. Hairy vetch can provide a heavy surface mulch.

Salinity Tolerance

Low to moderate tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Low tolerance, prefers pH 6.0 to 7.5.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Low tolerance.

Seeds per kg

44,000 seeds/kg (97,003 seeds/lb).

Suggested Mixtures

Hairy vetch is commonly fall-seeded with rye for pasture use.

Ease of Establishment

Easily establishes where adapted.

Competitiveness

Once established, hairy vetch can be aggressive and competitive. It sets seed and can proliferate from self-seeding.

Management Considerations

Hairy vetch is normally planted in the fall. It can be broadcast or drill seeded.

General Description

American vetch is a long-lived, cool season, native perennial legume. It has climbing or trailing tendrils; the name vicia is from the Latin vincio meaning to bind or climb. It is commonly found throughout British Columbia. Its common names include American vetch, wild vetch, stiff-leaf vetch, and wild pea. Currently recognized subspecies are Vicia americana ssp. americana and Vicia americana ssp. minor Hook. 

Type

Native legume.

Origin

Native to North America.

Longevity

Long-lived.

Use

Reclamation, pasture. American vetch is used as a nitrogen-fixing cover crop, as a legume in native seed mixtures for revegetating disturbed areas, and for wildlife and livestock grazing. First Nations used the leaves for poultices, and the pods and seeds for food.

Optimal Time of Use

Summer.

Recovery After Use

Not tolerant to heavy or continuous grazing; decreases with overgrazing.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Low yielding but valuable forage for grazing both wildlife (mule deer, grizzly bear, black bear, small mammals, game birds) and livestock (cattle, sheep, horses).

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

230mm / 1270mm

Drought Tolerance

High tolerance.

Flooding Tolerance

Is not tolerant of saturated soils or flooding.

Winter Hardiness

Considered winter hardy where it is adapted in the lowland, steppe, and montane zones.

Soil Texture Preference

Prefers fine or clay soils to medium-textured or loamy soils. It prefers moist to dry soils and full sun.

Erosion Control

Some erosion control value if established.

Salinity Tolerance

No tolerance to moderate tolerance. Ecotype variance should be expected.

Acidity Tolerance

Low tolerance, tolerates pH levels down to 5.9.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Low tolerance, up to pH 7.2.

Seeds per kg

72,230 seeds/kg (32,763 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

In pasture situations, can be mixed with a taller-growing grass or fall rye so that it can climb. Should be mixed with other suitable native species for native plant community restoration, or where native species are desired.

Ease of Establishment

Scarification (scratching or etching) of the seed will decrease the germination time from 14 to 7 days but will not improve overall germination. Spring or fall seeding. Low seedling vigour.

Competitiveness

Can be very competitive in some environments.

Management Considerations

Managed grazing is required to maintain American vetch in the plant community.

General Description

White clover requires adequate growing season moisture and moderate summer temperatures. White clover is widely distributed, especially in cool temperate climates. The plant has stolons or creeping stems near the soil surface. Leaves, flowers, and roots grow directly from these stolons. It is a relatively short plant with indeterminate growth, although taller types can grow up to 25 cm (10 in).

There are three types of white clover which vary mostly in height and persistence. The small type is commonly found in lawn mixes, or naturalized in disturbed or heavily grazed moist areas. It is highly persistent. The large type, often called Ladino, is larger (four-times) than the small type. With its low persistence it is rarely used, but can be seeded for short term hayland especially under irrigation. The intermediate type, also called common or Dutch, yields well,  is a prolific seed producer, and is often used in for pasture in high moisture regions. 

White clover has 3 leaflets attached at a single point, and are dark green, often with a white watermark. Leaflets are finely toothed, hairless, and nearly round, up to 3 cm (1 1/4 in) wide. Plants are only as high as the length of the flower and leaf stocks, which varies by type from ground level 25 cm (10 in). Seedling plants develop a taproot initially and then as plants age they develop threadlike, fibrous roots growing from detached stolons. White clover can cause bloat.

Type

Agronomic legume.

Origin

Mediterranean origins. Brought to North America by settlers.

Longevity

At least 10 years. Stolon survival and self-seeding (seed set) is critical for persistence.

Use

Intermediate types used for pasture. Small types tend to increase in continually grazed pastures.

Optimal Time of Use

Summer, fall. Late spring, once the plant has reached full height and leaf canopy it is safe to begin use. 

Recovery After Use

Requires a minimum 30-45 days of recovery after use. Tolerates frequent grazing and can be grazed repeatedly throughout the season to 5 cm (2 inch) height. Intermediate and large types benefit from rotational grazing. Low growing points make small type white clover well adapted to use in continuous, closely grazed systems. Only graze lightly in the last six weeks of the growing season for improved winter survival.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Excellent palatability, highly digestible. White clover crude protein is approximately 19.5-21% and total digestible nutrients is around 65%. Quality is maintained throughout the growing season as new leaves are grown. Can cause bloat. Sheep may select for white clover increasing their risk for bloat.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

400mm / 1770mm

Drought Tolerance

Poor tolerance. White clover is unproductive even in short duration drought. It easily dies from long or extreme drought. Small types tend to be more drought tolerant.

Flooding Tolerance

Tolerates 1-2 weeks of spring flooding. High moisture is desired over the growing season, but flooding or water logging is not tolerated.

Winter Hardiness

Poor to fair hardiness. Growing points are in the stolons which are at or on the soil surface so very susceptible to winter kill. Maintaining soil fertility and restricting grazing to light or no grazing in the last six weeks of the growing season improves winter survivability. Intermediate and small types have some winter hardiness while large types are the least winter hardy.

Soil Texture Preference

White clover prefers fertile clay and loam textured soil. White clover may grow on coarser sandier soils if moisture is adequate.

Erosion Control

Not well suited. White clover may be included in some erosion control mixtures as a nitrogen fixer for grasses or as a plant for higher moisture areas. 

Salinity Tolerance

Not tolerant.

Acidity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. White clover can grow in pH 5.0, but prefers 6.0 to 6.5.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Low tolerance.

Seeds per kg

1,764,000seeds/kg (800,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

White clover mixes well with most cool season perennial grasses, particularly bunch grasses that can tolerate frequent grazing allowing for an open canopy; meadow bromegrass, orchard grass, tall fescue. Has also been grown with Russian wildrye and timothy. White clover can compete with sod forming grasses such as Kentucky bluegrass, and smooth bromegrass when moisture and fertility are not limiting and frequent defoliation keeps the canopy open.

Ease of Establishment

White clover should be seeded shallow (6 mm / 0.25 in). Although seedlings are small and slow to develop, they can establish easily if fertility and moisture conditions are favourable. Competition from grasses and cover crops should be minimized. Stand will thicken as stolons develop.

Competitiveness

Small volunteer types can invade continuously grazed pastures, especially under moist conditions. Healthy stolons are critical for competitiveness. Shading of white clover decreases its competitiveness.

Management Considerations

It is important to monitor livestock for bloat while grazing white clover. Inoculate white clover with Rhizobium trifolii for better nodulation and nitrogen fixing. Grows best on fertile, moist soils without shading from other plants. Stolon survival is critical for persistence so maintaining adequate fertility is important. Although white clover can tolerate a shorter rest period than most other legumes in a grazing system, grazing should be light enough not to damage stolons. Restrict or reduce grazing in the last six weeks of the growing season to restore stolon health and provide a canopy to help insulate stolons for winter. White clover can be grazed after a killing frost, however, reducing the canopy increases the risk of winter kill.

General Description

Sweet clover is a widely adapted biennial (grows two years) found across North America from roadsides, to fertile cropland to invading native prairie. Two different species are often grouped together (including in U-Pick) as they have many similar characteristics. White flowered sweet clover (Melilotus alba) has coarse stems and flowers 10-14 days after yellow flowered. Yellow flowered sweet clover (Melilotus officinalis) tends to be shorter, finer stemmed and is considered to be more drought tolerant. Some sources indicate it is potentially more winter hardy. 

Sweet clover grows on average 1 m (3 ft) tall in its first year and 1.5 m (5 ft) tall in its sceond year. Many branched stems make up each plant. Leaves are made up of three oblong toothed leaflets which attach to the branched stems with short stalks. Sweet clover has yellow or white spike-like flower clusters. Sweet clover can cause bloat in livestock. Use a low coumarin variety of sweet clover when haying to avoid sweet clover disease (Dicoumarol from a moldy plant interferes with blood clotting in livestock). Volunteer sweet clover plants are common.

Type

Tame legume.

Origin

Turkey, Siberia, Spain. Canadian varieties have been developed.

Longevity

Biennial. Sweet clover can reseed itself for some stand persistence.

Use

Pasture, hay. Most commonly used for plow-down green manure crops to improve soil organic matter.

Optimal Time of Use

Summer. In the year of establishment, a late fall grazing may be possible after roots have established. Graze sweet clover in the late vegetative stage to maximize palatability and feed quality. Cut sweet clover at the bud to very early bloom stage for the best quality hay. If cut late, sweet clover hay is very stemmy, loses leaves and is unpalatable.

Recovery After Use

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Sweet clover is palatable in the vegetative through the bud stage but palatability decreases as it matures. Yellow sweet clover has an average digestibility of 58% and crude protein of 16% in the early bloom stage. Sweet clover can cause bloat in livestock. Use a low coumarin variety of sweet clover when haying to avoid sweet clover disease (Dicoumarol from a moldy plant interferes with blood clotting in livestock).

Drought Tolerance

High tolerance.

Flooding Tolerance

Sweet clover can withstand 1-2 weeks of spring flooding.

Winter Hardiness

Good to excellent winter hardiness. Sweet clover is only a biennial despite hardiness.

Soil Texture Preference

Sweet clover is suited to all soil textures (sandy, loamy, clay), but produces best on fertile clay to clay loam soils.

Erosion Control

Sweet clover has up to moderate ability to reduce erosion, depending on the soil zone. Sweet clover can be used as a plow down crop to add organic matter and nitrogen to the soil.

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Alkalinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Seeds per kg

570,000 seeds/kg (259,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Can be used as a short lived component of a forage mixture. Often seeded to provide cover to other seedlings during establishment or for some production in the establishment year and year after. Avoid high seeding rates in a mix, as sweet clover is very competitive and is only a biennial.

Ease of Establishment

Sweet clover seedlings establish easily. It grows best with little competition. Seeding sweet clover very early in the spring allows for it to establish well enough to overwinter the first year. Sweet clover has a high hard seed count and should be scarified before seeding.

Competitiveness

Sweet clover is competitive with weeds once established. Sweet clover has become invasive and naturalized across North America. Once established and setting seed, it can be difficult to control unless seed set is controlled.

Management Considerations

When haying, choosing a low coumarin variety is important to eliminate the risk of sweet clover disease (bleeding) in livestock. Inoculate and scarify sweet clover seed prior to seeding. Allowing only light fall use in the year of establishment will allow for maximized production the second year. Conduct a soil test at the beginning of the second year and fertilize accordingly to maximize sweet clover production.

General Description

Sainfoin is a relatively short-lived, deep-rooted, non-bloating perennial legume able to withstand some drought. It can be useful in grazing systems because it is non-bloating and maintains good forage quality for late-season grazing or stockpiling. It has deep branching taproots with many small lateral roots, and a stout branched crown. Sainfoin’s erect, hollow stems can reach up to 100 cm (39 in) tall. Stems are very succulent and palatable in spite of their coarse appearance. There are 11 to 29 paired leaflets on each compound leaf. Sainfoin flowers are brilliant pink. 

Type

Tame legume.

Origin

Origins in Europe, Russia, Turkey, and parts of Asia. Varieties developed in Canada.

Longevity

At least 5 years. Stand persistence is very dependent on crown survival.

Use

Pasture, hay, stockpiled.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall, winter. Often grazed in spring and early summer. Can be fall grazed after first killing frost through to winter. Hay at 50-100% bloom. Sainfoin maintains its nutritive quality into full bloom. 

Recovery After Use

Sainfoin may recover in 60-80 days with favorable growing conditions, but normally allow a full season rest period after use. Sainfoin regrowth occurs from buds on remaining stems. It has poor tolerance to close and/or frequent grazing and is better suited to rotational rather than continuous grazing. To increase longevity, cut or graze leaving 30 cm (12 in) stubble and do not use during the last 4-6 weeks prior to frost (stockpiled grazing thereafter).

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Palatable with 18% protein during full bloom and 63% digestibility. Sainfoin is a non-bloating legume for livestock and when it is consumed in a mix with alfalfa it can reduce bloat (due to tannin levels in sainfoin). Its stems are generally more palatable than the stems of alfalfa.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

300mm / 600mm

Drought Tolerance

Good drought tolerance. However, it is unable to sustain production during prolonged droughts.

Flooding Tolerance

Can withstand 1 week of flooding or saturated soils in the spring. Root and crown rot will limit stand longevity.

Winter Hardiness

Fair to good winter hardiness. Winter survival is improved when crowns are protected with vegetative cover and plant litter. Rest from grazing during the last 4-6 weeks prior to frost improves winter survival. Stockpiled grazing can begin post-frost.

Soil Texture Preference

Sainfoin is suited to well drained soils of all soil textures, even on gravelly or thin soils.

Erosion Control

Moderate ability to control erosion.

Salinity Tolerance

Not tolerant to salinity.

Acidity Tolerance

Slight tolerance. Tolerates soil pH levels as low as 6.0.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Good tolerance.

Seeds per kg

66,000 seeds/kg (30,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Mixes well with less competitive grasses such as meadow bromegrass, Russian wildrye and crested wheatgrass. Sainfoin can be out-competed by grasses that are creeping-rooted once the grass becomes established. Sainfoin can be used in mixes to lower the bloat risks associated with alfalfa. Newer sainfoin varieties have improved stand persistence.

Ease of Establishment

Sainfoin germinates well when planted directly into the soil. It establishes slowly but satisfactorily. Cover crops can be a detrimental competitor to sainfoin seedlings. Some sources state that scarifying seed improves germination. Seeds are large and are often contained in seedpods. Seed should be planted shallow (<3/4 inch deep).

Competitiveness

Sainfoin is not competitive in many mixtures, but does well with bunchgrasses over the long term. Weeds and creeping rooted grasses can often out-compete sainfoin so plant health should be managed to maximize competitiveness.

Management Considerations

As a best practice, inoculate and scarify seed before establishing sainfoin. Manage sainfoin stands to maintain cover and promote healthy plant crowns. As a non-bloating legume for livestock, production advantages can be seen using sainfoin. Allowing seed set and drop can allow for new plants and a longer stand longevity.

General Description

Red clover is an introduced, commonly grown, shorter-lived perennial legume. Red clover needs adequate moisture in the growing season and moderate summer temperatures. It can thrive in cooler temperatures and more acidic soils than alfalfa. Single cut types, also called mammoth or late-flowering red clover, are generally hardier and most commonly grown. Double cut varieties produce multiple cuts as the name implies but lack persistence in adapted soil zones.

Each red clover crown produces many branched, hairy stems, which grow to 75 cm (30 in) in length. Leaves are made up of three hairy leaflets attached at one point and often have white “V-shaped” watermarks. Red clover produces globe-shaped, purple, cross-pollinated flowers. Once it flowers it stops growing (determinant growth) like alfalfa.

Type

Tame legume.

Origin

Europe and Turkey. Varieties such as Altaswede developed in Canada.

Longevity

Less than 5 years in the Black soil zone; however, at least 10 years is now common in rotationally grazed pastures in the Grey soil zone. Red clover crowns and roots that are close to the surface, easily damaged, and break down naturally which limits longevity.

Use

Pasture, hay, stockpiled, reclamation. Red clover can cause bloat, however, the risk of bloat is lower than for alfalfa. It is used for soil improvement in site rehabilitation in a variety of contexts.

Optimal Time of Use

Summer, fall. Delay grazing until a full canopy of leaves has developed. Delaying grazing until full bloom can prevented bloat and increased the stand persistence. Hay single cut red clover varieties at 25%+ bloom with regrowth used in fall.

Recovery After Use

Requires 30-60 days for recovery. Recovery after use may be varied depending on the site, moisture availability and management. Some sources indicate red clover recovers well after mid-season cutting and can be left for fall grazing. Other sources say using red clover twice a season can reduce longevity. Still others advise against its use for grazing because of its inability to resist traffic from grazing animals. It is recommended to leave at least 10 cm (4 in.) to allow for regrowth as recovery may depend on where the growing tip is in relation to cutting or defoliation from grazing.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Red clover is highly palatable and may be grazed preferentially. When red clover is cut or utilized at 25% bloom, crude protein can be 19% and dry matter 65% to 70%. Weight gains on red clover are similar to gains on alfalfa.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

400mm / 1600mm

Drought Tolerance

Low tolerance. Red clover is more drought tolerant than alsike clover but less than alfalfa.

Flooding Tolerance

Withstands 1 to 2 weeks of excess moisture, early in growing season; but intolerant of flooding during its actively growing period. Requires adequate moisture all season long.

Winter Hardiness

Good hardiness in single cut varieties. Fair tolerance in double cut varieties.

Soil Texture Preference

Most suited to heavier wet, fertile soils. Will grow on sandy textured soils as long as moisture is sufficient.

Erosion Control

Little ability to control erosion. Red clover has value for soil improvement in erosion control seeding and may be included in a mix.

Salinity Tolerance

Not tolerant.

Acidity Tolerance

High tolerance. Red clover can tolerate pH levels as low as 5.0 but yield is reduced significantly. Prefers pH of 6.0 to 7.0.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Seeds per kg

600,000 seeds/kg (272,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Often grown in a mix with meadow bromegrass, timothy, smooth bromegrass, tall fescue or hybird bromegrass. Including grass in hay mixes assists with dry-down of windrows. In the Peace River Region red clover is often grown in the place of alfalfa in mixes because of its better acidity tolerance.

Ease of Establishment

Red clover is very easy to establish with moist conditions and moderate temperatures. Seedlings tend to be vigorous and shade tolerant. Use red clover the year after establishment. Red clover is successfully sod seeded.

Competitiveness

Red clover is competitive and can grow dominantly in a pasture situation for the first few years but can then decrease depending on grazing strategy. Persistence is dependent on how well the plant’s crown is maintained. Red clover is not invasive.

Management Considerations

Red clover is high in moisture and hay stands benefit from having a grass species in the mix to assist with drying-down. Short duration rotational gazing is beneficial for red clover longevity as grazing of newly emerging regrowth could be avoided. New growth is required to sustain the plant. Seed should be inoculated with Rhizobium trifolii for better nodulation and nitrogen fixing.

General Description

Purple prairie clover is a native legume found across the prairie region. Branched stems 20-90 cm (9-40 in) tall grow from the base with bright flowers at the end of branches. Leaves consisting of 3-5 leaflets line the stems. Livestock and wildlife find purple prairie clover palatable. 

Type

Native legume.

Origin

Mixed grass prairie.

Longevity

At least 10 years.

Use

Reclamation, pasture.

Optimal Time of Use

Graze purple prairie clover in the bud to bloom stage. If purple prairie clover is a minor component in the pasture mix, time grazing for the forage species that makes up the majority of the production.

Recovery After Use

Purple prairie clover regrows slowly after defoliation. It should be grazed once per year to promote longevity. Allow purple prairie clover four to six weeks of rest before the first killing frost to reduce winter injury.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Purple prairie clover is a palatable warm-season native legume. Purple prairie clover could possibly cause bloat in the pre-bud or bud stage, but seldom is abundant enough to. Purple prairie clover has an average digestibility of 68% in the vegetative stage to 50% in late flower. Crude protein levels range from 20% in the vegetative stage to 12-13% in late flower.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

350mm / 530mm

Drought Tolerance

Good drought tolerance.

Flooding Tolerance

Purple prairie clover will tolerate up to one week of saturated soils in the spring.

Winter Hardiness

Good winter hardiness.

Soil Texture Preference

Occurring on well drained, dry, coarse textured upland areas in nature, purple prairie clover is suited to sandy through loamy-clay soil textures in the Brown, Dark Brown, and Black soil zones. Purple prairie clover grows well on sandy sites.

Erosion Control

Limited value for controlling soil erosion.

Salinity Tolerance

Poor salinity tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Poor tolerance of acidic soils.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Unknown.

Seeds per kg

606,000 seeds/kg (275,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Include with native grass species for reclamation. Can be used in mixtures with tame or seeded grass species for grazing.

Ease of Establishment

Purple prairie clover seeds benefit from scarification to maximize germination. Lower percent germination can be expected with purple prairie clover. During the establishment year purple prairie clover can grow 15-30 cm (6 to 12 in) tall.

Competitiveness

Purple prairie clover is able to persist in seeded native species mixtures used in livestock pastures. It will spread by seed if seed set occurs.

Management Considerations

Inoculate seed to encourage nitrogen fixation. Rotational grazing will assist with purple prairie clover longevity in a stand as it is highly palatable. Purple prairie clover will establish from seeds allowed to drop. It increase within a seeded pasture.

General Description

Type

Tame legume.

Origin

South-eastern Europe (Caucasus Mountain region).

Longevity

At least 10 years. While it is a lesser used species in Canada, known stands have persisted thus far.

Use

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall, winter. Kura clover is a versatile species. Time grazing to begin once the full canopy develops. Once established, kura clover is very tolerant of close, frequent grazing and high animal traffic (advantage of rhizomes). Maximum yields can be obtained with rotational grazing. Winter use is possible due to deep crowns, rhizomes, and average leaf retention.  

Recovery After Use

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Kura clover is very palatable. Due to a very low fibre content is at least of similar bloat risk as alfalfa or may be greater. It is noted to increase the palatability of a mixed stand. In stands seeded in a Saskatchewan research project they indicated that the crude protein concentrations of pure stands of kura clover were highly variable, ranging from 10.9 to 21.2 %, even though all were all samples were similar in maturity. NDF concentrations were also variable, ranging from 20.9% to 37.9% at cut 1 and 22.5% to 33.6% at cut 2. ADF ranged from 15.8% to 20.5% at cut 1 and 17.3 to 23.5 at cut 2; these are very low values relative to other legumes” (indicating high digestibility of kura clover).

Drought Tolerance

Good tolerance. Kura clover is slow to show effect but will become dormant under drought conditions, drawing on its extensive root system to initiate growth once adequate moisture is available.

Flooding Tolerance

Kura clover withstands 1-2 weeks of spring flooding, but excess soil moisture is not tolerated. It persists better than white and red clover on poorly drained soils but not as well as alsike clover, and is superior to alfalfa in areas with high water tables.

Winter Hardiness

Good to excellent winter hardiness. Low growing points, deep tap root and rhizomes contribute to winter hardiness.

Soil Texture Preference

Adapted to moist sandy-loam through clay soils. Prefers non-calcareous, clay and clay-loam soils.

Erosion Control

Moderate ability to control erosion. Spreads by rhizomes once established. 

Salinity Tolerance

Not saline tolerant.

Acidity Tolerance

Low tolerance. Does best at pH between 6.0-7.0.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Unknown.

Seeds per kg

552,000 seeds/kg (250,000 seeds/lb) though is known to vary greatly- ranging from 346,000 to 821,000 seeds/kg.

Suggested Mixtures

Mixes well with grasses that have limited root competition like Kentucky bluegrass (short roots), or timothy. Stands with more competitive grasses like meadow bromegrass, tall fescue, and orchardgrass have also been successful when managed to reduce root competition in the establishment year. Seeding rates for these grasses should be reduced by half, and delayed 4-8 weeks after the clover is seeded. Once kura clover is established it is very competitive and can be managed for long term persistence.

Ease of Establishment

Competitiveness

Once established, kura clover is very competitive and will be an increaser in pastures with the right management and site conditions. Rhizomes allow for plants to fill in bare ground. Frequent defoliations with 4-6 weeks of recovery can be used to help manipulate percentage of kura clover in grass mixtures. Kura clover will be very competitive against Kentucky bluegrass or creeping red fescue in mixtures and will have to be managed to prevent overtaking them.

Management Considerations

Kura clover is a promising high producing legume species for the black and grey soil zones. Research plots have been seeded in the brown soil zone with success. Sourcing Kura clover seed has proven difficult in the past due to its characteristic of low seed production. Kura clover is noted for its rapid, leafy petiole top growth with a high protein: low fiber content so has a similar or greater bloat risk as alfalfa. Kura clover requires a specific innoculant (Rhizobia spp.) different from other legumes.

General Description

Cicer milkvetch is a palatable, non-bloating, perennial legume. 

Deeply branched taproots and tough rhizomes develop from wide, winter-hardy crowns. Stems begin growing upright but soon fall or lodge. These hollow, succulent stems can be up to 120 cm (47 in) long, growing to about half that in stand height. Compound leaves grow up to 15 cm (6 in) long, and are made up of 13 to 27 hairy, paired leaflets. 

Seed heads develop from buds on the stems, while leaves keep growing. There can be up to 40 pale yellow to white flowers attached to one stem. After cross-pollination, seed pods grow up to 15 mm (1/2 in) long, turning black as they ripen. Each pod easily shatters to reveal up to 12 bright yellow to pale green seeds, which are hard and impervious to moisture. 

Cicer milkvetch retains its leaves through the fall making it a popular option for stockpiled grazing. Cicer milkvetch does not accumulate toxic levels of selenium, unlike many of the other milkvetches or “loco weed.”

Type

Tame legume.

Origin

Native to Europe and Russia. Varieties developed in Canada.

Longevity

At least 10 years. Once established, allowing seed-set encourages new seedling growth.

Use

Pasture, hay, stockpiling.

Optimal Time of Use

Cicer milkvetch grows slower than alfalfa in the spring. With adequate rest, can be grazed early summer to fall. Since it holds its quality very well, it can be stockpiled for fall or winter grazing with good expected weight gains. When stockpiled it can still provide a maintenance feed before growth begins in early spring. Haying at 25% bloom maximizes quality and yield.

Recovery After Use

Recovery can occur within 45-60 days in the black and grey soil zones and 60-80 days in the brown soil zones. Cicer milkvetch can have a high rate of recovery if not grazed to less than 10 cm (4 in), and can be grazed frequently. Because of its rhizomes, it is tolerant to animal hoof action. Managed grazing improves the spread and fill of cicer milkvetch in a stand. Allowing cicer milkvetch to set seed every 3 years can keep new plants in the stand.

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Crude protein values of 14.6% and digestibility of 61.5%. It has slightly higher protein levels and digestibility than alfalfa and red clover, but less than alsike and white clover. Cicer milkvetch maintains leaves and therefore quality late into the fall. It is a non-bloat legume.

Annual Precipitation min/max (mm)

350mm / 600mm

Drought Tolerance

Moderate drought tolerance. Cicer milkvetch is known to go dormant during dry periods.

Flooding Tolerance

Tolerates up to 1-2 weeks of spring flooding. Cicer milkvetch does not tolerate more than brief periods of flooding during growing season.

Winter Hardiness

High winter hardiness. Rhizomes and vigorous crowns allow cicer milkvetch to persist in this climate.

Soil Texture Preference

Adapted to all soil texture types but prefers well-drained soils. It can tolerate soils with high water table.

Erosion Control

Moderate. Cicer milkvetch’s creeping roots (rhizomes) are effective at controlling erosion once the plant has established

Salinity Tolerance

Slight tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. Some varieties tolerate soil pHs as low as 6.0, while others are more tolerant when seeded in moderately acidic soils in western Canada (5.5).

Alkalinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Seeds per kg

270,000seeds/kg (122,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Bunchgrasses or legumes with similar regrowth characteristics or the ability to maintain palatability are a good mixture fit. Meadow bromegrass, tall fescue, hybrid bromegrass, timothy, red clover, and smooth bromegrass have been used.

Ease of Establishment

Many sources report that Cicer milkvetch is difficult to establish but newer varieties with increased seedling vigour have improved establishment characteristics. Delayed germination of seed may continue for up to 2 to 3 years because of hard seeds. Cicer milkvetch can be established with the spread of seed by grazing animals.

Competitiveness

Very competitive once established. Cicer milkvetch has become a weedy species in roadways, field margins, and urban areas.

Management Considerations

Planting inoculated seed encourages nitrogen fixation. Allow adequate time for good establishment (i.e., up to 2 growing seasons) before using Cicer milkvetch. Allowing this species to set seed every 3 years to promote the recruitment of new plants in the stand. As cicer milkvetch photosynthesis’ from existing growth to regrow- ensure leafy residue remains after first grazing/cutting to encourage regrowth and recovery (allows for a 2nd grazing event).

General Description

Birdsfoot trefoil is a perennial non-bloat legume. It is highly adapted to grow in a range of challenging conditions including infertile soils, soils with high acidity or poor drainage, and poorly prepared seed beds. It can persist in a long-lived stand when allowed to set seed.

It has a wide crown and taproot, intermediate in depth between alfalfa and red clover. Roots sometimes develop from older stems that have soil contact. 

The plant produces many fine stems or branches from the crown, which can grow up to 75 cm (30 in) long. Plants can be erect or prostrate. Birdsfoot trefoil has compound leaves with paired leaflets up the stalk and a single leaflet at the tip. Flowers initially form on lower branches and continue up the stem. Flowers are a brilliant yellow and found in clusters of 2 to 8. The name is derived from the way the pods form at right angles to the stem, looking like a bird’s foot. 

Type

Tame legume.

Origin

Native to Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia. Canadian varieties were developed and selected for winter hardiness.

Longevity

Less than 5 years. However, long-lived stands are found frequently where seed set is encouraged and stands are managed for improved winter survival through snow cover, litter cover, and managed grazing intensity.

Use

Pasture, hay. Best suited for pasture, especially in higher rainfall areas. Although used for hay, leaf loss after cutting and difficulty curing are noted for birdsfoot trefoil.

Optimal Time of Use

Spring, summer, fall. A full canopy of leaves and ground cover must be produced before spring grazing. The plant needs late season rest to build root carbohydrate reserves. Hay quality and yield are maximized at early bloom. May be prone to winterkill if grazed on during the winter (eg. bale grazing). 

Recovery After Use

Yield

Palatability/Nutritional Value

Drought Tolerance

Fair drought tolerance. Birdsfoot trefoil is adapted best to higher moisture soil zones, but can withstand some drought with its deep taproot.

Flooding Tolerance

Can tolerate 2-5 weeks of flooding, and tolerate wet soils throughout the year.

Winter Hardiness

Variable (poor to good). Winter survival is improved by deep snow cover and adequate rest before frost to protect the plant’s crown.

Soil Texture Preference

Adapted to moist sandy loam to clay soils. Adapted to waterlogged soils or conditions of poor fertility.

Erosion Control

Poor ability to control erosion. However, birdsfoot trefoil is well suited to grow on poor soils.

Salinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Acidity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance.

Alkalinity Tolerance

Moderate tolerance. Similar to alsike clover.

Seeds per kg

815,000 seeds/kg (370,000 seeds/lb)

Suggested Mixtures

Ease of Establishment

Birdsfoot trefoil seedlings grow slow initially but establish well under good growing conditions with use in the year following seeding. Establishment is enhanced with shallow seeding (3-6 mm/ 1/4 in), control of weeds, and seeding without a cover crop. Seedlings can have weak roots that are sensitive to shade.

Competitiveness

May be more competitive under ‘adverse’ conditions such as acidity or low fertility. Considered weedy or invasive in some regions including along roadsides, field margins, and in urban locations.

Management Considerations