Acid soils can limit plant growth and vigor, especially for legumes. Lime needs are determined by soil test. Nitrogen fertilizer should be used sparingly. Nitrogen fertilizer increases yields for only a short time and then must be repeated, if yields are to be maintained. Nitrogen fertilizer tends to decrease legume content, because grass growth shades the legumes and reduces their vigor.
Legumes require high lime fertilizer levels.
If legumes are to be maintained, they must be grazed properly. Some legumes can furnish quality grazing during the summer months, when cool season grasses are less productive. To change the plant species, the environment needs to be changed. This can be accomplished by changing the grazing system, adding lime or fertilizer, or by combining both of them. Livestock will eat some weeds, when they are young and vegetative.