Maintaining high quality forage for livestock production is important for success of pasture-based livestock operations.  Overseeding legumes into grass pastures improves overall forage quality with the added benefit of the legume plants fixing atomospheric nitrogen into the soil, thereby reducing the need for purchased nitrogen fertilizer. Here Ken Harless, Biological Science Technician, is hand-seeding red clover into research paddocks that are used for grazing meat goat research at the Appalachian Farming Systems Research Center.

Photo by Kim Cassida