RED ACE CLOVER

In 2008, Ragan & Massey acquired exclusive lisence of AU Red Ace Clover. Developed at Auburn University under teh direction of Jorge Mosjidis, is a cool season medium red clover.

Seeding rate: 10-12 lb/a

Planting date: September – October

Growth Habit: Cool season crop AU Red Ace is a medium red clover (also called double cut). When undergoing testing, the actual number of cuts were 3-4. Plants are erect with pubescent stems that flower in the seeding year.

Use: This red clover can be grown for hay production or could be used in combination with other winter-grown species to extend production season of a pasture into the summer. Also it could be use as a green manure crop that could be killed in late April to early May when the first flush of growth reaches a peak or earlier if so desired.

Growth Area: It can be grown throughout Alabama and probably other southern states.

Maturity: AU Red Ace tends to flower earlier than Cherokee. Flowering (date when 20% of the stems have flowers) can be equal to or up to 6 days earlier than Cherokee depending on the year and location. Typically, plants will flower in the first part of April in south Alabama and in the second part of April in Central Alabama.

Forage yield: AU Red Ace had a high forage yield in the seeding year in the tests conducted at Tallassee and Fairhope, AL, in 2001 and 2002. Total forage dry matter yield has ranged between 8,700 and 12,500 lb/acre, depending on the year and location. It had a total forage dry matter production 12 to 26% higher than Cherokee. The high forage yield of AU Red Ace can be seen throughout the season. Forage yield of the first cut was between 45 and 52% of the total yield. Subsequent cuts amounted to 48 to 55% of the total yield. Considering the high forage yield of the first cut, AU Red Ace has the potential to be used as a green manure that can compete with crimson clover but production would be later when aiming to get the highest yield.

Persistence: The duration of a red clover planting (productive persistence) can be 1-2 years in Alabama (in particular locations it can last a little longer), depending on the location (soil and climate) and weather conditions. Field observations indicate that red clover can persist for many years if allowed to reseed and if there is enough soil moisture.