Sainfoin & small burnett

[DIY]

I searched and didn’t see any posts about sainfoin or small burnett on the forum. I’m thinking about experimenting with these next year to try something totally different and differentiate my hunting property in Tennessee. I was wondering if anyone has any experience planting either of these for whitetail.

https://plants.usda.gov/factsheet/pdf/fs_onvi.pdf

https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_sami3.pdf

 

[birdgunner]

My family put Sainfoin in a reclaimed orchard up along the 45th in MI, first year came up good and deer were in it every evening, the next season weeds took over the area and wasn't so hot. I am in northern NC and the local ag ext. said sainfoin had no chance of survival here (they don't like to get their roots soaked) so be sure you have well drained soil. I also tried small burnet, wouldn't say it was a success. At the end of the day, I have tried pretty much everything, what I have learned is it is hard to beat a good Durana clover plot and a mix or WR, WW, Oats & Berseem clover. If you get your Sainfoin to grow well, $$$ selling to horse farms! Good luck, keep us posted.

 

[wsucoug]

So I was wsucoug over the the qdma forum back in the day. I just mostly lurk these days. However, I do have quite a bit of experience with sainfoin.

Sainfoin is very similar to alfalfa in that it takes some time to get established. Both have deep tap roots. It is equally, drought and heat tolerant (very heat tolerant). The biggest plus of sainfoin over alfalfa is that it doesn't get stemmy and un-palatable once it starts to mature. When everything has started to turn in mid summer, sainfoin shines compared to the other legumes. Doesn't dry up and deer love it.

Now for the negative. Sainfoin is not very browse tolerant. It considered a single cut hay in most applications. This is because it just doesn't bounce back after being consistently grazed. This can lead to weed issues, as lack of regrowth really allows for weed to "fill in" the plot. So if you are in an heavily grazed area or already have lots of weeds, I'd suggest red clover, or even alfalfa. Sainfoin will most likely disappoint if this is the case.

The biggest plus of sainfoin is it draw for deer, but this is also its downfall. If you do plant, make sure your soil is well drained and in good shape. Also make sure you get the newest variety "Delaney Sainfoin" as its suppose to be more of a double cut variety.