Red clover improves farm profitability

Date:01-13-2017

Red clover is an easy species to grow and is very drought tolerant. It thrives in a wide range of soils in temperate climates, and does well all year round. Red clover tolerates low winter temperatures and, thanks to its deep taproot, is tolerant of summer droughts. These attributes make the plant a useful component of clover/grass mixtures in two- or three-year conservation leys.

Sow with high-yielding grasses

For the best results, sow red clover in a mixture with high-yielding grasses. As a seed component, red clover:

• Increases field output by surviving periods of drought
• Increases production of milk and meat by raising animal intake and increasing feed conversion
• Reduces dependence on bought-in nitrogen fertiliser – red clover adds up to 250 kg N/hectare
• Reduces dependence on bought-in concentrates – red clover replaces soya or other protein sources

Click here to find ForageMax mixtures with red clover.
(Use the filter by ticking off 'Red clover' on the left side of the page).


Research proves the worth of red clover

Research case 1: red clover increases milk yield

Researchers in England (Dewhurst 2003) demonstrated a clear increase in milk yield when herds were fed a grass and red clover mixture compared to pure grass.


Research case 2: red clover improves profitability

An independent pan-European research study (LEGSIL) evaluated legumes for silage production. The team concluded:

• Forage legumes can increase profitability in milk production systems.
• The most suitable species for special silage crops are red clover and, in the right conditions, alfalfa. Both give yields as high as grass receiving 200 kg N/ha.
• Where legumes are grazed as well as ensiled, grass-and-white-clover mixtures are more suitable.
• Legume silages produce higher milk yields than grass silages due to higher levels of silage intake.