Clover – Viper Balansa
VARIETY SUMMARY
Viper balansa clover is an early maturing, high-yielding annual legume able to tolerate a wide range of soils. It produces significant amounts of nitrogen, ideal for cover crops and animal feed. Viper may be cut for stored forage or grazed. It is highly digestible, and adapted to rotational grazing. Viper can also take close grazing, even when young. Abundant flowers attract pollinators while hard seed production provides natural reseeding. Early trial results indicate Viper also has moderately good winter hardiness.*
Seeding rate
- Planting as a pure stand on prepared seedbed: 5-8 lbs/acre.
- Planting as mixture with grasses on prepared seedbed: 3-5 lbs/acre
- Planting into established grass pastures: 3-4 lbs/acre
Depth/Method
Plant at 1/8-1/4″ into a prepared/firm seedbed by broadcast or drill. Planting too deep may lead to poor establishment or stand failure. Cultipacking or dragging before and after seeding helps create a firm seedbed.
Fertilizing
At time of seeding, apply lime, potassium and phosphorus per soil test recommendation. No nitrogen is necessary.
Inoculation
Viper needs to be inoculated with Rhizobium leguminosarum biovar trifolii. This is best achieved with Nitro-Coat®.
King’s Southern Grazing Mix
Uses
- Dry Hay: Poor
- Haylage/Balage: Very Good
- Intensive Grazing: Excellent
- Continuous Grazing: Fair to good if not overgrazed
- Food Plots: Excellent
Establishment
- Seeding Rate: 25-35lb/acre. Cultipacker seeders or narrow spacing drills preferred. Use large seed box
- Depth: 1/8-3/8 inch
- Speed: Medium. Perennial ryegrass, red clover and chicory components will establish quickly
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