In addition to alfalfa and red clover (which are discussed in the general text), here are other popular legume species grown in Illinois:
Ladino clover is an important legume in pastures, but it has received little attention recently because of its short-lived character. The very leafy nature of ladino makes it an excellent legume for swine. It also is a high-quality forage for ruminant animals, but it often leads to problems of bloat.
Ladino lacks drought tolerance because its root system is shallower than that of red clover or alfalfa.
Birdsfoot trefoil has been popular in permanent pastures in northern Illinois. It has a long life but establishes slowly, and its seedling growth rate is much slower than that of alfalfa or red clover. Also, it tolerates wetter and more acid soils than alfalfa or red clover.
A root rot has made birdsfoot trefoil a short-lived crop throughout southern Illinois; but the variety Dawn has some resistance to increase its persistence throughout the state. Other varieties, which also may resist the root and crown rots and aid in longevity, are being developed.
Because birdsfoot trefoil is not as deep-rooted as alfalfa it is not as productive during drought.
Crownvetch is well-known for protecting erosive soil areas. But as a forage crop, it is much slower in seedling emergence, seedling growth rate, early season growth, and recovery growth than alfalfa or red clover. The growth rate is similar to that of birdsfoot trefoil. The potential for crownvetch as a hay or pasture plant seems restricted to rough sites and soils of low productivity. Also, the palatability of crownvetch is less than birdsfoot trefoil alfalfa, or red clover.
Sainfoin was introduced into the western United States from Russia. This species has failed to become well-enough established in Illinois tests to be able to make valid comparisons with alfalfa, red clover, and other legumes. But observations indicate that sainfoin has a slow growth and recovery rate and is not well-suited to the humid conditions in Illinois.
Hairy vetch is an annual legume that has limited value as a hay or pasture species because of its low production and viny nature. Hairy vetch may reseed itself and become a weedy species in small grain fields.
Lespedeza is a popular annual legume in the southern third of Illinois. It comes on strong in midsummer when most other forage plants are at their low ebb in production, and it survives on soils of low fertility.
However, it is low-yielding. It does not produce as well as a good stand of alfalfa, even in midsummer, nor will it encroach on a good alfalfa stand. As alfalfa or other vigorous pasture plants fade out of a pasture, lespedeza may enter.