Birdsfoot Trefoil Seed – Inoculated Perennial Legume

A Long-Lived Legume for Pasture and Cover Crops

Birdsfoot trefoil (Lotus corniculatus) is a deep-rooted perennial forage legume used for pasture, hay, silage, cover crops, and green manure. Also known as broadleaf birdsfoot trefoil, it offers an option for sites where acidity, lower fertility, or imperfect drainage can limit alfalfa production.

Build a mixed forage planting with compatible grasses, then manage it with rest periods between grazing or cutting. Establishment is slow, but a well-managed stand can persist for many years.

Seed and Coating Details

This offering is listed as coated, inoculated seed. Approximately 34% of the supplied weight is coating material containing the inoculant. The coating is intended to help retain moisture around the seed during germination.

Birdsfoot trefoil requires the appropriate Rhizobium inoculant for Lotus corniculatus. Inoculants intended for alfalfa or other legumes are not interchangeable. Check the supplied seed label for inoculant handling and planting directions.

Plant Highlights

• Botanical name: Lotus corniculatus.
• Life cycle: Long-lived perennial legume.
• Uses: Pasture, hay, silage, cover crops, and green manure.
• Soil adaptability: Sandy loams through clays; tolerates a range of soil fertility and acidity.
• Site selection: Best production comes from fertile, well-drained soil; avoid persistent standing water.
• Grass companions: Timothy, smooth brome, orchardgrass, tall fescue, and perennial ryegrass.
• Wildlife: The existing listing notes attraction for deer, turkey, and rabbits.

Planting and Establishment

Plant in early spring or late summer where local conditions permit. Early spring is preferred in the existing guidance because moisture is often more available for germination and seedling development.

Prepare a weed-controlled seedbed and sow shallowly, with only a light covering of soil. Small seeds and slow early growth make weed control and careful seed placement important. Avoid direct contact between seed and concentrated fertilizer.

The existing listing gives a general seeding rate of 5–8 lb per acre. Confirm the appropriate rate for your seed lot, coating, grass mixture, and region using the supplied label and local forage guidance.

Soil Fertility

Use a soil test to guide pH adjustments and nutrient applications. The existing guidance places productive soil conditions around pH 6.0–6.5, while noting tolerance of a broader range. Base phosphorus, sulfur, and other nutrient inputs on the soil test rather than a fixed fertilizer schedule.

Grazing and Hay Management

Use rotational grazing rather than continuous hard grazing. Allow plants to develop and recover between uses; the existing guidance recommends beginning grazing around first flower and taking hay around early bloom.

Avoid excessive shading from grasses and weeds. Persistent wetness, severe grazing, and inadequate recovery can weaken the stand. Allowing some seed production under light summer grazing can help maintain stand density when moisture supports new seedlings.

Harvest dates and the number of grazing or cutting cycles depend on local climate, irrigation, and regrowth. Plan management around plant development rather than a fixed calendar.

Available Pack Sizes

Choose a 1,000-seed packet, 1 oz, 4 oz, 1 lb, or 5 lb. Weight-based packs include the seed coating described above.