Publication Date
1997
Description
Recent enhancement of economic incentives for using legumes in forage/livestock systems seems likely to result in greater usage of clovers in the USA. To determine attitudes regarding clovers, a questionnaire was sent to forage crop agronomists having Extension assignments. Responses to most questions varied greatly, particularly among geographic regions. Poor grazing management was identified as the primary concern or problem associated with clovers, followed by poor persistence, and a lack of recognition of the benefits. Improved forage quality was ranked as the most important benefit, followed by better distribution of pasture growth, and biological nitrogen fixation. The importance of benefits associated with using clovers ranked considerably higher than concerns or problems. Respondents overall strongly indicated they consider themselves to be advocates of legume usage, that they feel clover usage is becoming more important and feasible, and that more profitable livestock producers tend to use clovers.
Citation
Ball, D M. and Lacefield, G D., "Extension Agronomist Perceptions Regarding Clover Use in the USA" (2024). IGC Proceedings (1989-2023). 5.
https://uknowledge.uky.edu/igc/1997/session24/5
Included in
Agricultural Science Commons, Agronomy and Crop Sciences Commons, Plant Biology Commons, Plant Pathology Commons, Soil Science Commons, Weed Science Commons
Extension Agronomist Perceptions Regarding Clover Use in the USA
Recent enhancement of economic incentives for using legumes in forage/livestock systems seems likely to result in greater usage of clovers in the USA. To determine attitudes regarding clovers, a questionnaire was sent to forage crop agronomists having Extension assignments. Responses to most questions varied greatly, particularly among geographic regions. Poor grazing management was identified as the primary concern or problem associated with clovers, followed by poor persistence, and a lack of recognition of the benefits. Improved forage quality was ranked as the most important benefit, followed by better distribution of pasture growth, and biological nitrogen fixation. The importance of benefits associated with using clovers ranked considerably higher than concerns or problems. Respondents overall strongly indicated they consider themselves to be advocates of legume usage, that they feel clover usage is becoming more important and feasible, and that more profitable livestock producers tend to use clovers.
