However, when it comes to forage production, grasses are only half of the erosion-controlling team.
The other half is plants of the pea family, or legumes. While grass reduces erosion more effectively than legumes, the legumes make it more economical to put the land into hay or pasture production.
Legumes have a higher nutrient value than grasses, and they better satisfy the high-protein needs of dairy cattle and other high-producing livestock. Some hay markets even demand a straight legume crop, rather than grass-legume mixtures.
But in cases in which it is acceptable to mix grasses and legumes, the team works well. Grasses provide more ground cover early in the spring while legumes provide increased cover in summer.