We have all been cautioned to be skeptical of the idea of getting ‘something for nothing’. “If it’s too good to be true, it probably is," we’ve been told. In the beef business though, there are two times when we can get something for nothing — one is when we use heterosis or cross-breeding to produce more pounds of beef, and the other is when we use legumes — clovers, alfalfa and annual lespedeza to add protein and nitrogen to a pasture to produce more pounds of beef. With commercial nitrogen prices now through the roof, now is the time to get serious about next year’s grazing program and pasture fertility.
Legumes pay their own way
In addition to being a very important protein source in the pasture mix; legumes like clovers and annual lespedeza add diversity and produce their own nitrogen, which eventually becomes available to grasses as well. At today’s nitrogen prices, the cost of seed and establishment is easily offset by an increase in animal performance or the added nitrogen produced — one or the other is free. Overseeding pastures and hay fields with legumes is basic, common sense management, but which is best for your operation? The answer is probably all of the above. No single legume can do it all. Soil fertility, pH, texture and drainage all help determine which legume is best for a particular pasture.
Annual Lespedeza
Annual Lespedeza has been proven a good choice because it is tolerant to drought conditions and low pH soils. It is also one of the few legumes that does not cause bloat. Consider adding annual lespedeza with other legumes into cool-season grass pastures because these grasses leave a significant forage gap during the summer months. Milk production, calf weights and reproductive efficiency are all closely tied to the animal nutrition during this period. The effects of endophyte toxicity in fescue pastures during this time are hard to measure, but are well documented. This fungus affects all of animal performance — especially reproduction. Annual lespedeza in pastures can ‘dilute’ and significantly reduce its effect. With annual lespedeza, it’s all about timing. It can provide what you need most when you need it most. Keep in mind, annual lespedeza is not to be confused with its perennial cousin — Sericea which is weed problem in many areas.
Keith Carmichael owns Cutting-Edge Agri-Products, in Lowry City, Mo.
