A survey of legume production and persistence in the United States

Abstract

This chapter reviews the results of a survey that conducted in 1988 of forage specialists in different regions and within regions in the USA. This survey clearly indicates that producers are facing many problems when they attempt to use legumes for pasture production in many areas of the USA. Reasons given for legumes not being grown more extensively were problems in establishment, difficulty of management, and lack of persistence. In Virginia, H. E. White lists the white clovers and red clover as the legumes most extensively used for pasture. Legumes are grown throughout North Carolina, but only about 25% of the pastures contain appreciable amounts of legume. Legumes grown in Kentucky, in order of importance, are white clover, red clover, and Korean lespedeza. In selected North Central states, legumes are considered to be extensively grown in pastures of Missouri and Iowa, but not in Indiana; Nebraska; and Wisconsin.