Nitrogen Fixation crops
Nitrogen is a very hot item these days, and is the most limited nutrient for crop growth. Choosing a nitrogen fixing crop adds N to your system in a relatively easy and inexpensive way. This reduces the reliance on purchased fertilizer N and maintains an efficient, low cost farming system. Legumes will utilize soil N first if it is available, then fix sufficient N to satisfy any remaining demand. Both, uptake of soil N and N fixation can occur simultaneously.
Crimson Clover (Trifolium incarnatum)
Crimson clover, serves as a valuable forage crop for cattle and other livestock. It is rich in protein and should be sown promptly after the grain harvest. The crop thrives in lightly cultivated soil, where scarifiers and harrows are preferred over deep ploughing. During spring, it grows rapidly, providing an abundant yield of green, highly palatable feed. Additionally, crimson clover can be used for making hay.
Inkara
Inkara
Key features
- Very high yields
- Excellent resistant to lodging
- Mid early flowering
- Not sensitive to frost
- Good resistant to diseases
- Very fast establishment
INKARA is a variety of the Slovenian breeding Institute, exclusively represented by Westyard.
INKARA is a high forage quality variety which can grow in various soil conditions. Inkara is very cold tolerant and has an excellent nutritional value. Inkara has dark green leaves and flowers between the second half of April and first half of May. It has a good resistance to lodging and diseases.
INKARA has very high seed yields with medium to high content of crude proteins. It is primarily used for fresh feed but also in mixtures with Italian ryegrass and other annual overwintering catch crops.
Seed density: 5 – 10 kg/ha
Seed depth: 0,5 – 1,0 cm
Fertilization: pH min 5.0
Redhead
Redhead
Key features:
- Early to mid-early variety
- High yields in green and dry mass
- Excellent resistant to frost
- Very fast establishment
- Long plants
- Excellent resistant to lodging
- Good resistant to diseases
- High protein content
REDHEAD is a variety of Selgen, a Czech well known breeder in Europe. REDHEAD is a high forage quality variety which can grow in various soil conditions. REDHEAD is very cold tolerant and has an excellent nutritional value. It has a good resistance to lodging and diseases.
REDHEAD has very high seed yields with medium to high content of crude proteins. It is primarily used for fresh feed but also in mixtures with Italian ryegrass and other annual overwintering catch crops.
Seed density : 5 – 10kg/ha
Seed depth : 0,5 – 1,0cm
Soil : pH min 5.0
Red Clover (Trifolium pratense)
Red clover is a popular forage crop, appreciated for its ability to fix nitrogen and enhance soil fertility. This characteristic also makes it a great choice as a green manure crop. The latest varieties of red clover have been developed to provide more reliable yields, ensuring a consistent supply of fresh protein throughout the year. This makes it an excellent option for farmers looking to maintain a sustainable and productive agricultural system.
Marieta
Marieta
Key features
- Flexible and adaptable variety in all kind of areas
- Excellent resistance to diseases, especially leaf scorch
- Convenient for cultivation in monoculture, undersowing and clover-grass mixtures
- Very good resistance to mildew, stem rot and anthracnose
- Well balanced in terms of forage quality and seed
- Very winterhard
MARIETA, a diploid variety, has a high forage and hay quality and high production of crude protein. Rapid re-growth after each cut increases its agronomic value and enables three harvests in one year. During several tests MARIETA exceeded the control varieties in production of gross proteins by 16%. Also in green mass (5,4%) and hay harvests (5,8%) it turned out to be better than the other varieties. Because of these characteristics MARIETA is top in the range of diploid varieties.
Seed density: 10 - 12 kg/ha
Seed depth: 0,5 – 1,0cm
Soil: pH min 5.0
Violetta
Violetta
Key features:
- A diploid sunthetic variety
- Early to mid early
- Predominantly pale mauve-red flowers and medium sized leaves
- Very leafy and productive
- Fairly resistant to Sclerotinia
VIOLETTA, a diploid variety, establishes quickly and boasts excellent forage and hay quality. Its rapid regrowth after each cut enhances its agronomic value, allowing for three harvests in a single year. Notably, VIOLETTA exhibits strong resistance to various root diseases, mildew, and virosis. Additionally, it delivers high yields of green and dry matter during the first and second years.
Use:
- In pure culture or in mixtures with grasses for temporary lays, both silage and hay
- Gives high dry matter and protein yields without nitrogen dressing
- Direct seeding in early autumn can also be recommended
- Can be sown pure or under cover crop in spring
Garant
Garant
Key features
- Rapid spring growth
- Good resistance to lodging
- Excellent health – very high resistance to a complex of mycoses, root diseases, powdery mildew and virosis
- Very good pereniality up to the 3rd year of vegatation
- Yield of green and dry matter in the first and second year is high
GARANT is on the official Swiss list of leading recommended varieties of red clover. GARANT has one of the best figures of all the varieties mentioned on this list. https://www.agroscope.admin.ch/agroscope/de/home/aktuell/dossiers/sortenlisten.html
GARANT is a diploid variety, with a fast establishment and a high forage and hay quality.
GARANT has a rapid re-growth after each cut increases its agronomic value and enables three harvests in one year. This variety has a very high resistance against various deseases in root, mildew and virosis. Furthermore it has a high yield in green and dry matter in the first and second year.
Alfalfa (Medicago sativa)
Alfalfa, also known as lucerne is a perennial forage legume often used in livestock feed for its high protein content, typically around 18-20%. It’s also valued for its role in soil improvement due to its deep rooting system that helps with nitrogen fixation and water infiltration. This makes it a great cover crop. Additionally, alfalfa’s drought tolerance allows it to grow in less irrigated areas, making it a resilient choice for farmers. By providing a local source of protein-rich feed, alfalfa can reduce costs associated with milk production and contribute to more sustainable agricultural practices.
Vlasta
Vlasta
Key features
- Suitable for all alfalfa areas in Europe
- High protein yield
- High dry matter yield
- Good resistance to lodging
- Fast spring growth
- Good resistant to diseases
- Veryfast establishment
VLASTA is a variety of the Czech breeder, Agrogen sro, and representedby Westyard since 2015.
Other features
- Listedsince 1995 in the EU
- Nematoderesistant
- Highplants
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Rob Westerhof
Managing Director
