Interseeding legumes into grass-dominated irrigated pastures can increase the yield and quality of forage produced and reduce the need for inputs of nitrogen fertilizer. The challenge is to get the legumes established given the competition from existing vegetation. Suppressing the grasses with glyphosate prior to seeding resulted in the most consistent legume establishment. Close mowing to simulate heavy grazing generally did not result in improved establishment compared to no suppression. Alfalfa (Medicago sativa), sainfoin (Onobrychis viciifolia), red clover (Trifolium pretense), birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus), and white clover (Trifolium repens) were sown into irrigated pastures in spring of 2010.
Oral presentation and poster titles, abstracts, and authors from the Society for Range Management (SRM) Annual Meetings and Tradeshows, from 2013 forward.