“So, Why Is Your Clover Different?”

By WHITETAIL INSTITUTE STAFF

 Earlier this summer, I was speaking at a food plot seminar in Pennsylvania when a gentleman walked up to me and asked, “So what makes your clover any different than any other clover I can buy? I mean, why is it so much better than red clover or ladino clover or something like that?”

Having heard this question many times, I proceeded to explain to him how, through genetic selection, the Whitetail Institute has been able to produce varieties of clover that have the traits specifically needed for maximum deer nutrition and attraction. The gentleman then asked me, “So what does that mean?”

I thought to myself, “That’s a pretty good question.” After all, if you are not familiar with plant genetics, food plot development and deer nutritional needs, then how did my answer really explain anything? This guy found himself in the same position I would be in if I asked how rocket propulsion worked, and I was answered with a bunch of jargon about laws of physics, thrust and a host of other things that I had heard about but really didn’t understand. So, in this article I would like to fully explain the differences and advantages of Imperial Whitetail Clover over other types of clover by examining first the process of genetic selection and then how the traits selected make Imperial Whitetail Clover the best clover blend on the market for whitetail deer food plots.

Many years ago, Ray Scott, founder of the Whitetail Institute, was preparing to plant his green fields for deer season. A trip to the local feed and seed store resulted in a booty of oats, wheat, rye and a few different varieties of clover. After planting his fields he began to notice that one particular type of clover seemed to draw deer more than any of the other things he planted. Curiosity lead him to call Auburn University where he got in touch with the world-renowned plant geneticist Dr. Wiley Johnson.

Ray told Dr. Johnson that he could understand why clover may be more attractive than oats, wheat or rye, but what he did not understand was why the deer seemed to prefer one clover over another clover. Dr. Johnson explained that while he didn’t know how it specifically related to deer usage, different clover varieties have different characteristics such as nutrient content, taste, growth traits, heat and cold tolerance and many others. Dr. Johnson surmised that maybe the variety of clover where Ray saw the most activity contained the traits that were preferred the most by deer.

While this answered Ray’s question, it did not end his interest on the subject. In fact, Ray began to dig deeper into the issue and began to develop a theory. His theory was that if certain types of clover are better for deer than others, it might be possible through genetic selection to develop the ultimate clover for deer. To test his theory, Ray brought together a wildlife biologist and a plant geneticist (Dr. Johnson) and told them, “Develop the best clover variety possible for whitetails.”

The development of Imperial Whitetail Clover began with identifying over 40 clover varieties world-wide, each containing various traits that were vital in producing the ultimate clover. Testing was done on each variety to identify which had the best combination of these traits. The characteristics the researchers were looking for were nutrient content, attractiveness, early vigor, hardiness, ease of establishment, cold and heat tolerance, disease, drought resistance and longevity of plant life. Those varieties that had the best of these characteristics were crossbred to produce new varieties of clover. These varieties were likewise tested; and again, the varieties showing the best characteristics were crossbred to produce yet another new clover variety. This procedure was repeated many times over the course of seven years until eventually a clover strain was developed that contained all the traits needed for the ideal clover for whitetail food plots.

The culmination of this long, complex project culminated with the development of Advantage™ ladino clover. Advantage became the first and only clover type genetically engineered for whitetails. There was simply no other clover on the market bred for deer. All others were developed for domestic livestock production and do not contain all the traits vital for whitetail food plots.

The researchers at the Whitetail Institute did not stop testing after the development of Advantage. Even though Advantage was, without doubt, the best clover on the market for deer, our researchers thought that if there were improvements that could be made, they would make them. Therefore, a new project was started using Advantage as the starting point. After eight more years of testing, the Whitetail Institute research group developed yet another clover type that exceeded even Advantage in certain characteristics. This new clover is called Insight™ ladino. Insight has all the same vital characteristics as Advantage but is even hardier, more drought resistant and more cold tolerant than Advantage. When blended together, Insight and Advantage produce a clover food plot that truly has no equal.

So now that we know how Imperial Whitetail Clover was developed, why are these traits so important? Let’s start by taking a look at nutrients. Imperial Whitetail Clover averages up to 30-35 percent protein. Other clovers have protein ranges that are as low as 10 percent.

Even more important are growth characteristics. Imperial Clover maintains a high protein level throughout the antler-growing cycle. Other clovers may start out at 20-24 percent protein early in the spring but soon begin dropping in protein as the plant matures. When these other clovers bloom and produce flowers, most of the nutrients – including protein – go to the blossom (seed), leaving the foliage much lower in nutrients. Furthermore, these mature forages drop dramatically in digestibility with age. As more stem and less leaves are produced, they become less attractive, and deer lose the ability to get what nutrients are left from the foliage.

In contrast, Insight and Advantage ladino clovers were bred to stay in a vegetative state for a longer period of time. In fact, Insight and Advantage can stay in a vegetative state throughout the antler-growing cycle, thus maintaining protein levels much higher than other clovers. Also, Insight and Advantage were bred to be very low seeding plants, keeping more nutrients in the foliage and out of the blossom. Due to the characteristic of staying in a vegetative state, Insight and Advantage clovers also stay high in digestibility throughout the antler-growing cycle. Containing and maintaining a high protein content and high digestibility is crucial when you consider that a growing antler consists of up to 80 percent protein.

Often, people first planting Imperial Whitetail Clover are astonished at how much more attractive it is compared to other clovers and forage types. I myself was astonished the first time I planted Imperial Clover. I sat and watched deer go through an 18-acre red clover field – not once taking a bite – only to get to my Imperial Clover field and eat for over an hour. Again, the reason for the unbelievable attractiveness is in the breeding. Because both Insight and Advantage clovers were bred to be highly digestible, have high protein and stay vegetative for a long period of time, deer are naturally more attracted to it than they are to other clover varieties. The large succulent leaves produced by Insight and Advantage clovers are far more palatable to deer than other clover types. In fact, there are some clovers on the market touted as good clovers for deer food plots that the deer oftentimes completely ignore due to their bitterness and low digestibility.

For obvious reasons, hardiness, drought and disease resistance and heat and cold tolerance are important qualities of a food plot. Many plots are planted in less than ideal situations, and furthermore, one cannot control Mother Nature. While no clover is 100 percent drought and disease proof, the combination of Insight and Advantage is as close as it comes. Imperial Whitetail Clover can withstand dry periods that will kill other clover varieties. I remember a couple of years ago when we had a period of 70 days with little to no rain and 80- to 100-degree temperatures. My red clover hay fields were all but burned up but my Imperial Whitetail Clover fields held on. Just when the edges of my Insight and Advantage clover started to turn a little brown, we got some rain and the plot flourished. Unfortunately, my hay field did not, and I had to replant. Cold tolerance is another amazing trait of Imperial Whitetail Clover. In fact, Imperial Whitetail Clover is being used with tremendous results as far north as northern Alberta.

Everyone wants to get the most for their money. This is why longevity is important. Imperial Whitetail Clover can last up to three to five years with a single planting. In fact, with the strength of Insight and Advantage clovers, Imperial Whitetail Clover can keep producing beautiful, productive fields for six, seven or even more years. Customers and field testers have reported carefully maintained plots lasting for more than 10 years.

As you can see, there truly is a difference between Imperial Whitetail Clover and all other clovers on the market. It is not creative marketing. It is simply proven scientific methods applied to genetically produce the best clover strains for deer food plots.