Red Clover

Legume

(Trifolium pratensis)

In contrast to white clover, red clover has an upright growth habit and a strong deep tap root from white finer roots arise. The crown located at the base of the stem acts as a store of nutrients. Its main use is in a silage production although it is a useful component in grazing mixtures with its drought tolerance particularly if managed on a rotational basis. Yields can be expected in the 12-14 tonnes DM/ha when grown alongside ryegrass and it has the potential to fix 150-250kg N/ha per year. As with white clover it takes around 12 months from establishment for these levels of nitrogen to become available. It will improve soil structure and it is relatively drought tolerant owing to its deep tap root. Feeding values of red clover silage will be higher than straight grass silage with a high protein content of 16-20% leading to greater DM intakes and better animal performance.

Uses

Silage, lamb finishing, soil improver, green cover

Sowing Rate

5kgs/acre

Persistence

3 Years

Sowing Period

April to August

Yield Potential

6t DM per ha.

Management

Plant population is the main factor that will affect persistency and productivity. It is essential to sow shallowly (10-15mm) when the soil temperature is above 10 degrees. It has a deep tap root rather than stolons and cannot repopulate itself if damaged. Do not cut or graze more frequently than every 30 days and cut silage crops at a minimum of 7cms. Three to four silage cuts can be taken and approximately 80-90% of total annual yield will be obtained by cuts completed by mid-October. To avoid bloat animals should be introduced slowly when they aren’t hungry with roughage provided if needed and particular care taken if its in adverse weather. The main pests of red clover is stem eelworm (causes distortion of growing buds and young leaves) and disease challenge is from sclerotinia. Red clover consists of phyto-oestrogenic compounds which can affect ewe fertility so shouldn’t be grazed 6 weeks pre and post tupping but ewe lambs will thrive on the swards.

You can buy Red Clover or in the following Mixtures:

Red Tantallon ®

High protein 2-3 year mix

View Product

Herbal Ley

Multispecies mixture

View Product

Organic Tantallon

Outstanding 2-3 Year Mix

View Product

Organic Airlie

Intensive 3-4 year mix

View Product

Organic Dundas

Dual purpose medium/long term mix

View Product

Chicory 1 Mixture

Chicory mixture with red clover

View Product

Chicory 3 Mixture

Chicory mixture with red and white clover

View Product

Red Clover

A high protein, fast growing legume which is one of the more popular and reliable legumes. It is versatile as a good source of forage and also acts as a soil improver. Scheme: NUM2

View Product