Birdsfoot Trefoil (Lotus corniculatus)

Description

Birdsfoot trefoil is a long-lived, non-bloating perennial legume that can provide excellent nutritional value to pasture and additional summer production when grasses often go into a growth slump. It is tolerance to poorly-drained and somewhat acid soils.

Strengths

Medium yields; tolerates poor drainage and acid soils better than alfalfa; fair summer regrowth; tolerates drought; excellent forage quality; non-bloating.

Limitations

Slow to establish; less productive than alfalfa on well-drained, fertile soils; subject to invasion by weeds; slow recovery after hay harvest; fair palatability; intolerant to close cutting; susceptible to root and crown rot; must allow self-reseeding for improved persistence.