CLOVER PLANTED TOO LONG
 

DOES ANY ONE KNOW IF YOU HAVE TOO ROTATE YOUR CLOVER FIELDS IF YOU'VE BEEN PLANTING THE FIELDS WITH THE SAME CLOVER FOR THE PAST EIGHT YEARS, SEEMS OUR FIELDS JUST DOES NOT PRODUCE LIKE THEY USE TOO, WE TAKE SOIL TEST AND ADD WHAT IS NEEDED IN RESPECTS TOO LIME AND FERTILIZER, WE CUT THE FIELDS AND USE HERBICIDES TOO CONTROL GRASS AND WEEDS, WE HAVE BENN DOING EVERYTHING ACCORDING TO DIRECTIONS, BUT STILL HAVE A POOR CROP. WE USE WHITE TAIL CLOVER ONLY. ANY SUGGESTIONS ?
(KNAPPER)

RE: CLOVER PLANTED TOO LONG
 

You should rotate your plots every 3-4 years.Clover puts nitrogen back in ground so next year plow it under and plant R.R.corn for a couple of years.

RE: CLOVER PLANTED TOO LONG
 

I thought I readthat insects and diseases can build up, nematodes and the like, that could rob the vigor from your crop. I am debating the same issue with a long-term clover field that is just not thriving like it used to. I am thinking of planting annuals for a few years before going back to clover. I've also readof clover fields lasting 15 years or better, so go figure...
-fsh

RE: CLOVER PLANTED TOO LONG
 

Good advice - rotate every 4 years - plant something different for 2 years at least.

When Nitrogen gets too high in the soil(clover adds it - like was said) - the clover gets outcompeted - especially by grasses.

Brassicas, & corn like Nitrogen alot - and can work great in a crop rotation with clover. You should not need much fertilizer (unless you bail the clover off the field).

Look at the post I put on tonight about rotation - it might provide you with some pictoral advice on your plot.


FH