Texas A&M AgriLife Research (AgriLife) has created a new breed of white clover named “Neches” after the Texas river and should be available for sale this fall. Clover is used as food for cattle.
White clovers typically need to be seeded annually in Texas because of heat and drought. However, the Neches clover flowers earlier than its counterparts, which makes it a perennial plant, according to an agency release.
The Neches clover took 10 years to create by A&M AgriLife plant breeder Gerald Smith. The result is a winning combination of early flowering and high pasture yields. The clover will grow in wetter pastures anywhere from Central Texas to the Atlantic Coast and flowers from April to June.
White clover means green for cattle ranchers, who will save money by not having to reseed. Costing $10 to $12 per acre to seed could translate to hundreds of dollars in savings.
The grass sales company, Barenbrug USA, has an exclusive license to sell Neches clover.