The base crop in all my fields is clover, and alfalfa. Every August I mow, then take a steel drag (making sure rain is in the forecast) and drag the fields. I might even set my disk blades straight and do that before I drag. This exposes dirt but doesn’t do much harm to the clover or alfalfa. Once done I lightly broadcast turnips, beets and radishes right over the clover and alfalfa. The seeds take, every time, and when the clover is no longer palatable the turnips, beets and radishes are good to go. An added benefit is these crops help keep the soil from being compacted because they bore into the soil and make holes, and by spring they are gone. In my opinion clover is the #1 crop for deer on a (almost) year round basis, period. Lastly, in the spring you can over seed clover and/or mix in chicory and add to the protein content of the crop.
I’d never kill clover...ever.