The following data summarize the results of the Ohio State University red clover performance trials seeded in August 1993 at three sites. Yields were determined in 1994 and 1995. This crop has the ability to produce profitable levels of highly palatable, nutritious forage.
Red clover is well suited for use as a forage legume in short rotations with corn.
It can withstand more shading than most other forage legumes, making it very compatible with grass sods in pastures and as a green-legume crop interseeded in wheat. When direct seeding red clover, cut before it blooms in the seeding year. If allowed to reach full-bloom stage, red clover often has reduced stands and yields the following year. After the seeding year, harvest red clover in early bloom stage. This means a three-cut system for most of Ohio.