Loss of production to weed infestations is a major concern of both farmers and livestock graziers. This concern has created a multi-billion dollar worldwide market for chemical and mechanical weed control products. From the amount of money and scientific effort being directed toward the problem, it would seem that great progress should be made and that real control would be within reach. Instead we find that the problem is becoming worse in all areas and under most management programs.
Click here to view an excellent chart listing the features and requirements of many legumes.
Among ranchers, opinion as to the value of forage legumes varies widely. The graziers who can grow them and who understand how to manage them, love legumes. Those who have yet to learn the tricks tend to shy away from legumes as dangerous, not worth the trouble, too expensive or “the darn things won’t grow here”. The following is an attempt to look at forage legumes as they can fit into a graziers’ forage plan. Truly successful forage plans rely on the concept of complex forage swards maximizing days of quality graze over time. This is considerably different from the more common concept of judging pasture solely on the number of tons of forage produced per acre per year.