Frost Seeding Red Clover Into Winter Wheat

 

 

With spring right around the corner, we are approaching the ideal time to frost seed red clover into your winter wheat crop. Frost seeding is the practice of broadcasting red clover into winter wheat just prior to green-up. In most years, the ideal time is between mid-March and early-April. It is important the snow melts prior to frost seeding. Deep snow will cause the seed to move to the lower areas of fields as the snow melts and can result in poor stands. Seasonal freeze-thaw cycles cause the soil to repeatedly develop small cracks on the surface, allowing the clover seed to achieve good soil contact for germination.

 

 

 

The Michigan State University Extension Cover Crops Program has had excellent results frost seeding mammoth and intermediate red clover in winter wheat. Seeding rates range from 6 to 18 pounds per acre. The most consistent stands of red clover have resulted when seeding 12 pounds per acre. Many farmers are using all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) with spinners to seed red clover into wheat, covering a lot of ground without rutting or causing compaction.

 

Uniformity of stands is important to get the full benefits of red clover. One effective strategy to insure uniformity and avoid skips is set the spreader at half the intended seeding rate, spread the seed, then go over the field a second time applying the second half of the rate, driving half-way between the tire tracks left by the first application. Many ATVs are equipped with GPS systems that can also be used to insure accurate coverage.

 

Red clover cover crop has several benefits, including:

 

 

For more detailed information on red clover, read “Using red clover as a cover crop in wheat.” Additional cover crop information can be found at the Midwest Cover Crops Council (MCCC) website.