Go Green This St. Patrick’s Day with Balansa Clover as a Cover Crop

Tara Desmond
March 13, 2025

St. Patrick’s Day is all about celebrating the color green, so what better time to highlight Balansa Clover—a powerhouse cover crop that keeps your fields lush, healthy, and full of benefits!

Why Choose Balansa Clover?

Balansa Clover is a nitrogen-fixing, fast-growing legume that enhances soil health while offering excellent forage options. It thrives in a variety of conditions and provides multiple benefits for farmers:

  • Soil Health – Improves soil structure, reduces compaction, and enhances organic matter.
  • Nitrogen Fixation – Can fix up to 100-150 lbs of nitrogen per acre, reducing fertilizer costs.
  • Weed Suppression – Dense growth helps shade out weeds, reducing herbicide needs.
  • Erosion Control – Forms a thick mat that prevents soil erosion and improves water retention.
  • Livestock & Wildlife Benefits – Provides high-quality forage for grazing animals and attracts pollinators.

Seeding Guide for Balansa Clover

To get the most out of Balansa Clover, proper seeding is key.

  • Seeding Method: Drill or broadcast (can also be frost-seeded for early establishment).
  • Seeding Rate: 3-5 lbs/acre if drilled; 5-8 lbs/acre if broadcast.
  • Seeding Depth: ¼ to ½ inch deep—shallow is best for good germination.
  • Seeding Dates:
  • Spring Planting: February to April (ideal for frost seeding).
  • Fall Planting: August to October (for overwintering and spring growth).

Balansa Clover is a perfect fit for farmers looking to improve soil health while keeping their fields greener—both in color and sustainability. So, this St. Patrick’s Day, consider adding a little extra luck to your farm with Balansa Clover.

Evan playing in dirt
By Tara Desmond September 22, 2025
Two year old Evan on the farm.
Jason at his farm in Manito
By Tara Desmond September 19, 2025
Jason Proehl isn’t just a fifth-generation farmer—he’s also an attorney who helps families protect their farms for the next generation.
Corn stalks in focus, with a combine harvesting corn in a field on a sunny day.
By Lyndi Allen September 18, 2025
Illinois farmers are concerned about their farms and the need for changes in production costs. Policy action is needed to expand ethanol blends, improve market access, and address high input costs.
man on farm working on equipment
By Tara Desmond September 18, 2025
It Seemed Routine—Until It Wasn’t
Collin Watters at podium
By Tara Desmond September 18, 2025
IL Corn joined the U.S. Grains & BioProducts Council and Illinois Economic Development Association on a Japan trade mission, strengthening global markets for Illinois corn and ethanol and fostering new opportunities for farmers.
Winners
September 18, 2025
An air filter made from corn? That's right -- this company and more are coming up with innovative solutions using corn.
Show More