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. All varieties winter killed during the third winter (1995 - 96). Red clover is an excellent short-lived perennial legume that is better adapted than alfalfa to soils that are somewhat poorly drained and slightly acidic; however, greatest production occurs on well-drained soils with high water-holding capacity and pH above 6.0. This crop has the ability to produce profitable levels of highly palatable, nutritious forage. It is a vigorous establisher and is one of the easiest legumes to establish using no-till interseeding or frost-seeding techniques; therefore, it is an excellent choice when renovating pastures with legumes. 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. The longevity of red clover may be enhanced by the following management practices:
1. 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.
2. After the seeding year, harvest red clover in early bloom stage. This means a three-cut system for most of Ohio.
3. Choose varieties that have high yields and improved
persistence under Ohio conditions.
| Red Clover Varieties in Ohio Trials. | |
|---|---|
| Varieties | Marketer/ Seed Developer |
| Acclaim | Allied Seed |
| Arlington | Public (Wisconsin) |
| Cherokee | Public (Florida) |
| Cinnamon | Countrymark |
| Concorde | ABI Alfalfa |
| FUS | International Seeds, Inc./Central Indiana Supply Co.& Hill of Indiana |
| Kenland | Public (Kentucky) |
| Kenstar | Public (Kentucky) |
| Marathon | Public (Wisconsin) |
| Ram | Pickseed Canada, Inc. |
| Reddy | Countrymark |
| Renegade | International Seeds, Inc./Ohio Seed Company |
| Ruby | Dairyland Seed |
| Scarlett | Dairyland Seed |
| Walter | Pickseed Canada, Inc. |
| Common Red | Public |