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Everything is coming up aces

Ragan & Massey is the first and only company to bring you this cool-season clover developed by Auburn University. This innovative product, designed for use in the southern United States, flowers up to six days earlier than Cherokee, giving your pasture the jump-start it needs to start the growing season right.

In trials, Red Ace produced as much as 12,500 lbs./acre—roughly 26 percent more than our competitors. Plus, you can use it in a variety of ways. So whether you’re looking to extend your production season, make hay or produce a green manure crop, Red Ace is an ideal solution.

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

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

Forage Yield
AU Red Ace Clover 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 per 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 the total yield. Subsequent cuts amounted to 48 to 55% of the total yield. Considering the high forage yield of the but production would be later when aiming to get the highest yield.

Duration
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, climate and weather conditions. Field observations indicate that red clover can persist for many years if al-lowed to reseed and if there is enough soil moisture.

Specifications

Seed Species: Red ace clover

Coverage Area: 5 acres

Mature Height: 12 inches

Where to use:

Pastureland throughout the southern states

When to use:

Planting Date
September – November

Growth Habit
Cool season crop

How to use:

  1. Take a soil sample
  2. Plant seeds alone at a rate of 10-12 lbs/acre or with ryegrass
  3. Adequate moisture is required for proper germination

Advice

  1. GRAZING CROP RESIDUES

    Grazing crop residues (especially after harvest of corn or grain sorghum) can routinely be used to provide a substantial number of days of grazing for beef cattle, but can be especially valuable in years when pasture and hay production have been less-than-optimum. This option becomes even more attractive if grassed [...]

  2. CHANGES MAY BE IN STORE REGARDING HAY

    During a discussion of the economics of forage-livestock production, the point will usually be made that stored feed (predominately hay) should be a major consideration.  It is a fact that feeding animals during times when pasture forage is not available is typically the greatest expense associated with production of grazing [...]

  3. VARIETY SELECTION IS IMPORTANT

    Once a forage-livestock producer has decided to plant a given forage species, he or she will usually find there are several varieties of which seed is available. So how should a person go about deciding which variety to plant? Advice from friends, neighbors, and respected advisors can be helpful, but [...]

  4. MANAGEMENT APPROACHES CAN BE SYNERGISTIC

    Numerous management factors can have an impact on the economics of beef production, as well as on other livestock enterprises.  Every farm is different, so the relevance of a given issue to a particular farm varies. However, a  management approach that typically is of great economic value often interacts with [...]

  5. Reducing Stored Feed Needs

    The most expensive aspect of raising livestock is providing feed for them. In general, pasture forage is less expensive than hay or other stored feed, including hay. Here is a concise review of the major options for reducing stored feed.   Use Cool Season and Warm Season Forages On some [...]