Farmer question planting crimson clover

I was wondering about planting crimson clover in the fall as a cover crop. Here in southern Illinois a lot of farmers planted it then they sprayed it after it had went to seed and no tilled the ground. What benefits were gained from doing this?

Crimson clover is a legume, therefore it helps boost nitrogen in the soil which benefits the next crop to be planted.

Plus it helps keep weeds shaded out, reduce soil erosion, etc.

Deer like it also.

Over and over

Tommy James & the Shondells!

First thing that came to mind.
(Sure wish I could get it out of my head now)

'Cover crop' is a general description of some sort of 'expendable/sacrificial' ground cover seeded after harvest or during the late maturity stage of the grain crop. Primarily used for wind/water erosion control/prevention and often has some attributes of adding organic matter or in the case of clover, possibly some fertility improvement.
Currently, there are incentive programs for establishing 'cover crop' in some areas. Another incentive is offered in certain areas for using the cover crop as livestock forage either late fall or prior to planting next crop. I think we got $35-40 per acre credit on 2024 crop insurance by seeding cover crop and allowing livestock to graze.
Now, the downside. I've lost a lot of interest in cover crop after planting this year. Cover crop rye thrived during the wet spring conditions prevented early planting resulting in 3-4' tall jungle of tough as rope stems. In an afternoon of planting, I often spent 2 hours digging rope like rye stems out of my planter--not acceptable. I'm going to vote for a different game plan next year.

I think peanuts will be planted after my summer squash peters out.

I can't think of something worse for me since I am in Texas and only have a yard with a small garden. Clover is my 3rd worst weed.

" Clover is my 3rd worst weed."
OMG, I have no idea how much I've spent interseeding clover into pastures to IMPROVE them.

I used to plant Dutch White Clover around my place to keep the deer around. What I discovered was that around here clover is a bear magnet. After the clover died out I didn't plant any more. I don't want my dog killed.

Mobuck said:

" Clover is my 3rd worst weed."
OMG, I have no idea how much I've spent interseeding clover into pastures to IMPROVE them.

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Read the first part of my post.

I guess my mind goes to the song.... "Roll me over in the clover and......"

I didn't realize clover grew fast enough to be used as a cover crop / green manure. My food plots are Ladino Clover and take a couple of years to become well established. Maybe it's the type of clover I'm using or I'm doing something wrong?

Like mirglip said, the bears love it.

"Read the first part of my post."
So, what's the problem with clover in your yard?

wheelgun1958 said:

Over and over

Click to expand...

That was the first thing that popped in my head when I saw this thread.

Mobuck said:

"Read the first part of my post."
So, what's the problem with clover in your yard?

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Can't speak for GasGuzzler, but I share his opinion.

I, too, have a "small suburban yard" - 90' x 120'. I want grass in that yard (my personal preference is Zeon Zoysia - a Texas A&M hybrid groomed for shady yards). Clover is the absolute enemy of sod grasses, and is virtually impossible to eliminate without resorting to a weed-killer that also attacks the sod grass.

blume357 said:

I guess my mind goes to the song.... "Roll me over in the clover and......"

Click to expand...

Sing it out blume357, sing it out!

What you plant, when you plant, how you plant and especially what your desires are for your ground is a deciding factor in planting anything.

Farmers want to keep to soil as good as possible for their planned crops to be used for sale. A cover crop of what they choose has to do with their needs to produce the best tonnage for sale. A casual gardener will often have entirely different desires. And a person who desires a green grass yard may not want anything "invasive" to his preferred appearance. Then you have the folks who want something specific for wildlife.

ALL kinds of various desires & needs.

I like clover. I use it to help keep the deer in my area. And for my yard,, as long as it's green colored, and keep the soil from washing away,, I could care less about what grows. Function over appearance.

Clover is easily controlled in grass with a light application of broadleaf herbicide that will not damage grasses.

A Buckwheat, turnips and icycle radish plot really attracts game, breaks hardpan. Does make better milk with turnip tops. Turkeys love buckwheat