The study compared the growth of spring and summer plants of alfalfa, red clover, and birdsfoot trefoil. Spring plants of red clover and trefoil produced more herbage than summer plants, while alfalfa had similar yields. Red clover's yield difference was due to shoot initiation, while trefoil's was due to carbohydrate reserves. A tall stubble was necessary for trefoil to regrow well after cutting. Alfalfa generally yields more than red clover or trefoil.