About J. Wayne Fears

Thanks to all of you who read this column and take the time to email me your questions and comments; I plan each column on what you request. This month’s column is a result of many emails, over a long period of time, from people wanting to know more about Durana clover (Trifolium repens), and how to grow it. Though I have included some information on Durana clover in this column several times over the years, it is still the most requested plant information I receive most months. For those who want to know more about this clover, here is a rundown.

History

Durana clover is a cool season, perennial legume developed by the University of Georgia and Ag Research of New Zealand. It was developed as a grazing crop for cattle, and took years of research and tolerance studies to bring it to the Durana clover we know today.

Test plots of the new white clover were planted in the late 1990s in Georgia. In 1998, tests were conducted during a severely dry late winter, spring, and summer. Researchers expected nothing to be left of the Durana test plots after the drought. In September that year, rain returned to the area and the Durana exploded. The plots recovered so well that they were grazed with cattle that fall. That was when the researchers knew they had a new clover that was special, both for cattle and deer. The results of the test plots – documented under drought conditions with fierce competition from weeds, Bermuda, and fescues – showed that the Durana did extremely well for the establishment and long-term management of food plots.

In performance tests at UGA Experiment Stations, Durana was not as productive as Regal Ladino, a clover standard, during the establishment year, but caught up to it in year two with both producing close to 4,000 lbs./acre dry weight. Both produced two to five tons of forage per acre at 25% to 30% protein levels and up to 80% digestibility. The difference was that Regal faded from perennial grasses in a few years (survival 17%) while Durana increased its original stand coverage (133%) and persisted for five years or more.

	Durana clover can produce up to 4 tons of forage per acre per year and can tolerate heavy grazing and drought conditions.

Research done for establishing long-term perennial food plots found that Durana clover should be considered as the crop to plant due to its shade tolerance, wide adaptability to weather extremes, low maintenance, high protein content (up to 28%), and long life – five years or more with proper management.

The food plot tests have reportedly attracted as many as 60 deer without any measurable grazing pressures. According to researchers, Durana will last three times longer than many other white clovers under continuous grazing and varying heat and cold conditions. Plus, it requires very little direct sunlight to thrive, so it works well in wooded settings.

Area of Adaptation

Durana clover thrives in the Southeast, Northeast, and Midwest on all soils except deep sands. It is also adapted to the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain regions, and southern Canada (where rainfall is adequate).

Best Time to Plant

Plan on planting Durana in September or October for a fall planting in the South, or in March or April for spring. In the North, plant for fall in August or September, or for spring in April or May. In areas where harsh winter weather can damage young clover seedlings, plant after the danger of a hard freeze has passed. Durana responds well to frost seeding when done correctly.

Planting Rate and Depth

Broadcast Durana at a seeding rate of 5 pounds per acre on a well-prepared seedbed. Do not plant any deeper than 1/8-inch deep, as many stand failures result from seed planted too deep. Seed can also be drilled with a no-till planter equipped with a seed hopper.

Durana seed is sold preinoculated with a coating of lime and selected Rhizobia strains (inoculant) for optimal nitrogen fixation. Preinoculated Durana seed is not inexpensive, at anywhere from $5.00 to $8.00 per pound, and remember it is a long-lasting perennial. The seed is available in 5, 25, & 50 pound bags.

Deer like Durana, as this exclusion cage shows.

Planting Instructions

Select food plots that receive from 3 to 12 hours of sun daily. Remember, Durana clover is shade tolerant and doesn’t require long hours of sunlight.

Before planting Durana, get a soil test done on each food plot prior to seedbed preparation. The soil that you begin with will be significant in how long your perennials will last. The pH of your soil needs to be fairly neutral (6.2 to 6.5) but Durana will tolerate a pH in the 5.5 range.

When ready to plant, work up a well-prepared seed bed, disking 4 to 6 inches deep. Culti-pack or roll the food plot to firm up the seed bed. Fertilize according to soil test results, or if you cannot soil test, fertilize with 300 lbs./acre of 19-19-19 at planting.

Just before a rain, spread the seed at the recommended rate of 5 pounds per acre by broadcasting evenly, being cautious not to over-seed. Clover seeds are small and it is easy to over-seed a plot. Once seeded, use a cultipacker to cover the seed 1/8-inch deep.

How to Maintain Durana Clover

Periodically mowing Durana clover food plots helps maintain clover health and productivity, and keeps unwanted weeds and grasses in check. When mowing, set the mower to remove no more than the top third of the clover foliage. With two-thirds of the foliage remaining and adequate soil moisture, the clover quickly recovers with new succulent forage growth. Note that taller broadleaf weeds may have 50% or more of their foliage removed by the mowing operation. This proves advantageous, as it leads to slower regrowth of weeds and allows the faster recovering clover to better compete for space, nutrients, and soil moisture. Fertilize once every year in early fall.

Durana Pros

• Well-suited for most of whitetail deer range
• Shade tolerant
• Tolerates overgrazing
• Food plots planted in well-managed Durana produce forage five or more years without having to replant
• Can produce 2 to 5 tons of forage per year

	Here is an example of just how well Durana will do in a shady area as a perennial food plot.

• 25% to 28% protein level
• Up to 80% digestibility

Durana Cons

• Seed is expensive
• Does not do well in sandy soils
• Does not compete well with grassy weeds
• Easy to plant too deep
• Seeds are small and easy to plant too thick

Whether your property has open fields, pine plantations, firebreaks, or old logging roads, Durana is one of the clovers you will want to consider planting. In most cases, you will not be disappointed if it is planted and managed correctly. For more information on Durana, go to www.penningtonseed.com.