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    La Crosse Seed Product Tech Sheets

    For general Information regarding this species, scroll below the list of tech sheet links.

    General Information Concerning Forage Legumes

    Characteristics

    Our Forage First® brand forage legumes include red clover, intermediate, ladino and alsike clover, and birdsfoot trefoil. Our forage legume family offers improved and elite varieties known for rapid growth, high forage quality, winter hardiness, disease resistance and more. Many of these legumes form foundations to our premium Forage First® pasture mixes.

    Balansa Clover

    Balansa clover is a small seeded annual legume that is quick to germinate, offers excellent forage production, and is well-adapted to a wide range of soil types. Established stands tolerate water-logging and extreme pH soils.

    Non-Forage Benefits (5=Excellent):
    Compaction Alleviation: 3
    Weed Suppression: 4
    Biomass Production: 4
    Erosion Control: 4
    Disease/Pest Control: 3
    Pollinator/Beneficials: 5
    P & K Cycling: 3
    Ease of Establishment: 4
    Nitrogen Fixer/Scavenger: Fixer

    Nutritional Value:
    Crude Protein: 16
    NEL¹ Mcal/lb.: TBD
    ADF%²: 31
    NDF%³: 45
    TDN: 65
    DM Tons/Acre: 1-4
    Days to First Harvest: 40-50
    Days to Next Harvest: –

    Ranking (Good, Better, Best):
    Graze: Better
    Baleage: Good
    Chop: Best

    Planting Time:
    Feb.-Mar.;Aug.-Sept.

    Seeding Rate:
    Mono (lbs./acre): 3-6
    Mix (lbs./acre): 1-4
    Forage (lbs./acre): 3-6

    Seeding Info:
    Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio (C:N): 15:1-20:1
    Seeding Depth (in./with drill): 1/4
    Seeds/lb.: 500,000
    Bulk Density (lbs./ft.³): 56
    Aerial Application Rate: 3-6
    Germination Soil Temp.: 40 F
    USDA Hardiness Zone: 5
    Days to Emergence: 14

    Management:

    • Quick to germinate, however it is slower to establish than other clovers (crimson and red clover)
    • Balansa is a prolific re-seeder; termination or grazing prior to flowering will remove the risk

     

    Berseem Clover

    Berseem clover is a summer/winter annual legume known for its ability to tolerate waterlogged soils and soil salinity, while providing higher protein levels than many other legumes.

    Non-Forage Benefits (5=Excellent):
    Compaction Alleviation: 2
    Weed Suppression: 4
    Biomass Production: 3
    Erosion Control: 4
    Disease/Pest Control: 1
    Pollinator/Beneficials: 3
    P & K Cycling: 4
    Ease of Establishment: 4
    Nitrogen Fixer/Scavenger: Fixer

    Nutritional Value:
    Crude Protein: 18
    NEL¹ Mcal/lb.: .73
    ADF%²: 23
    NDF%³: 36
    TDN: 69
    DM Tons/Acre: 1-2.5
    Days to First Harvest: 60
    Days to Next Harvest: –

    Ranking (Good, Better, Best):
    Graze: Good
    Baleage: Best
    Chop: Better

    Planting Time:
    Mar.-Apr.;Aug.-Sept.

    Seeding Rate:
    Mono (lbs./acre): 8-20
    Mix (lbs./acre): 5-10
    Forage (lbs./acre): 15-20

    Seeding Info:
    Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio (C:N): 15:1-20:1
    Seeding Depth (in./with drill): 1/4
    Seeds/lb.: 150,000
    Bulk Density (lbs./ft.): 52
    Aerial Application Rate: 6-15
    Germination Soil Temp.: 40 F
    USDA Hardiness Zone: 8
    Days to Emergence: 5-8

    Management:

    Berseem clover has a moderate tolerance to salinity and can withstand short periods of waterlogged soils. Berseem clover is sensitive to weed competition and as a result should only be sown on clean, well-prepared seed beds.

    At 18-28% protein, young berseem clover is comparable to or better than crimson clover or alfalfa as feed. No cases of bloat from grazing berseem clover have been reported. Forage quality remains acceptable until
    the onset of seed production.

     

    Crimson Clover

    Crimson clover is a semi-upright winter annual legume that germinates quickly and prefers well drained soil. Crimson tends to remain actively growing in cooler temperatures when warmer season clovers go dormant. Crimson can be successfully established in both fall and spring.

    Non-Forage Benefits (5=Excellent):
    Compaction Alleviation: 2
    Weed Suppression: 4
    Biomass Production: 3
    Erosion Control: 3
    Disease/Pest Control: 3
    Pollinator/Beneficials: 3
    P & K Cycling: 3
    Ease of Establishment: 4
    Nitrogen Fixer/Scavenger: Fixer

    Nutritional Value:
    Crude Protein: 17
    NEL¹ Mcal/lb.: .56
    ADF%²: 31
    NDF%³: 42
    TDN: 59
    DM Tons/Acre: .5-2
    Days to First Harvest: 60
    Days to Next Harvest: –

    Ranking (Good, Better, Best):
    Graze: Better
    Baleage: Best
    Chop: Good

    Planting Time:
    Feb.-Mar.;Aug.-Sept.

    Seeding Rate:
    Mono (lbs./acre): 10-15
    Mix (lbs./acre): 4-8
    Forage (lbs./acre): 6-15

    Seeding Info:
    Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio (C:N): 15:1-20:1
    Seeding Depth (in./with drill): 1/4
    Seeds/lb.: 150,000
    Bulk Density (lbs./ft.³): 52
    Aerial Application Rate: 6-15
    Germination Soil Temp.: 42 F
    USDA Hardiness Zone: 7
    Days to Emergence: 7-10

    Management:

    • Heavy stands may attract voles and other pests
    • Crimson clover can cause bloat (see Soil First® Management Guide page 15 for more information)
    • Ideal pH of 5.5–7.0

     

    Sunn Hemp

    Sunn hemp is a warm season legume, upright and quick in its growth habit. Sunn hemp needs 60°F soil temps before it can planted and will kill at the first signs of frost. Higher seeding rates of sunn hemp will help with weed suppression.

    Non-Forage Benefits (5=Excellent):
    Compaction Alleviation: 2
    Weed Suppression: 4
    Biomass Production: 5
    Erosion Control: 3
    Disease/Pest Control: 3
    Pollinator/Beneficials: 4
    P & K Cycling: 3
    Ease of Establishment: 3
    Nitrogen Fixer/Scavenger: Fixer

    Nutritional Value:
    Crude Protein: 25
    NEL¹ Mcal/lb.: Varies Greatly
    ADF%²: Varies Greatly
    NDF%³: Varies Greatly
    TDN: Varies Greatly
    DM Tons/Acre: 1-5
    Days to First Harvest: 40-45
    Days to Next Harvest: –

    Ranking (Good, Better, Best):
    Graze: Better
    Baleage: Good
    Chop: Best

    Planting Time:
    July-Sept.

    Seeding Rate:
    Mono (lbs./acre): 15
    Mix (lbs./acre): 5-8
    Forage (lbs./acre): 5-15

    Seeding Info:
    Carbon/Nitrogen Ratio (C:N): 18:1-29:1
    Seeding Depth (in./with drill): 1/2-1
    Seeds/lb.: 15,000
    Bulk Density (lbs./ft.³): –
    Aerial Application Rate: NR
    Germination Soil Temp.: 65 F
    USDA Hardiness Zone: Frost
    Days to Emergence: 3-7

    Management:

    • Prefers soil pH levels above 6 (6–7)
    • Kills at first frost, or control by mowing or herbicide at first flower for maximum benefit
    • Residue (green manure) should be incorporated while still green
    • In far southern areas (below 28° latitude), sunn hemp will produce seed which can be toxic to livestock

     

    Winter Hairy Vetch

    Winter hairy vetch is a vigorous annual legume crop used for fixing nitrogen, biomass production and enhancing organic matter. It’s an excellent choice for green manure as its low carbon to nitrogen ratio (C:N) allows for quick plant decay and even quicker capture of organic material and nutrients in the soil profile. Hairy vetch tends to be very tolerant of variable soil conditions, including low fertility environments.

    Non-Forage Benefits (5=Excellent):
    Compaction Alleviation: 3
    Weed Suppression: 4
    Biomass Production: 4
    Erosion Control: 3
    Disease/Pest Control: 3
    Pollinator/Beneficials: 5
    P & K Cycling: 4
    Ease of Establishment: 3
    Nitrogen Fixer/Scavenger: Fixer

    Nutritional Value:
    Crude Protein: 26
    NEL¹ Mcal/lb.: .58
    ADF%²: 33
    NDF%³: 48
    TDN: 64
    DM Tons/Acre: 1-3
    Days to First Harvest: Spring
    Days to Next Harvest: –

    Ranking (Good, Better, Best):
    Graze: Better
    Baleage: NR
    Chop: Good