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.
