Frost Seeding Red Clover into Winter Wheat publication now available

Kevin B. Shelley,  UW Nutrient and Pest Management Program

UPDATED 3/10/09 with direct link  to file >>>  Frost Seeding Red Clover file

A new publication entitled Frost Seeding Red Clover in Winter Wheat is available from the University of Wisconsin Extension Nutrient and Pest Management Program. This four-page publication describes the practice of frost seeding (over-seeding in early spring) medium red clover into winter wheat that was planted the previous fall. The publication’s objective is to help farmers evaluate the economic potential of using red clover as a green manure cover crop, providing biologically fixed nitrogen to the following year’s corn crop. This is in addition to the soil quality, soil conservation and weed suppression benefits likely to accrue.

The publication emphasizes recommended practices for managing the red clover for maximum yield of creditable nitrogen while allowing for optimum wheat production. This includes clover seeding rates and the “art” of frost seeding, weed management in both wheat and the following clover stand, and successful termination of the clover before corn. Estimating the optimum nitrogen fertilizer rate for the following corn crop is also covered. Measuring the practice’s value is described relative to clover biomass production, the cost of clover seed and the price of nitrogen fertilizer.  The information provided is based on data collected from a combination of research station trials and on-farm experience in Wisconsin from 1991 to 2008. 

 The publication is available for download at UW-NPM’s website at http://ipcm.wisc.edu . Click on the Publications menu item and type frost seeding in the search box for the resource files. Then click on Download. Or, use the direct link  Frost Seeding Red Clover file

For more information, contact Kevin Shelley at the Nutrient and Pest Management Program 1-800-994-5853.