Use
Red clover is principally used for silage production. These
leys can be grazed but high yields make them particularly attractive for conservation.
The popularity of red clover declined during the 1970s with the increasing
dependence on nitrogen fertiliser. This trend is now being reversed with producers
looking to utilise the many benefits of this valuable legume.
Home Grown Protein
Red clover silage has a high crude protein content at around
20%. This coupled with high animal intakes, results in higher milk yields
and higher liveweight gains compared with grass silage.
Yields
Annual yields of 13-15t DM/ha can be achieved when grown with ryegrass. This
is comparable with conventionally grown Italian ryegrass leys receiving bagged
nitrogen. One advantage of red clover is its ability to yield in dry years.
Variety
We are extremely pleased to be using the variety Milvus again this year. Without
doubt this proven red clover from Switzerland has impressed those who have
grown it. It has been used for seven years in the UK and has demonstrated
its persistence well. Milvus is also very competitive and it is therefore
generally recommended to be sown with ryegrass.
Sowing & Establishment
In common with other legumes it is good practice to sow either in spring,
usually April, or by early September if autumn sowing is preferred. Late autumn
sowings are not recommended. Spring sowings can be undersown to spring cereals
which can then be wholecropped or harvested for grain. Soils will ideally
be pH 6 or above and P & K indices of 2.
Milvus Leys
The three red clover mixtures on this page have been extensively used on many
organic farms throughout the UK. Milvus has become one of the main varieties
of red clover used in the UK. Its competitive ability has been proven by lasting
four years on many farms. In addition to its high yield it also has very good
resistance to sclerotinia (clover rot) and stem eelworm.
Sowing
Clover Seed
Small seeds need
surface sowing
otherwise results,
as this chart shows,
will be unreliable.
3.00 kg certified MILVUS red clover
3.00 kg certified GORDO ORGANIC Italian ryegrass
4.80 kg certified BOXER ORGANIC hybrid ryegrass
1.20 kg certified FABIO tetraploid Italian ryegrass
Ref.
CGO3ORG 65% ORGANIC
Two years maximum production of silage without the need for
artificial nitrogen fertiliser. We are pleased, once again, to include Milvus
in this ley. First cut silage is to be expected during the second or third
week of May.
Red Clover Ley
Two Year Mixture
12.00
kg per acre £51.94 (30 kg/ha £129.85)
3.00
kg certified MILVUS red clover
1.20 kg certified ABERECHO tetraploid hybrid ryegrass
2.00 kg certified BOXER ORGANIC hybrid ryegrass
5.80 kg certified MILLENIUM ORGANIC tet. per.
ryegrass
Ref.
CGO6ORG 65% ORGANIC Persistent and high yielding. This excellent ley has proved
to be highly successful. Incorporating the best red clover and the best hybrid
and perennial ryegrasses. Please note that we expect the yields to be nearly
as good as our two year red clover ley. Hybrid ryegrasses are better than
Italians for the grazing animal providing a leafier sward in the summer and
autumn.
Red
Clover Ley
Three-Four Year Mixture
22.00
kg per acre £63.84 (55 kg/ha £159.60)
4.70
kg certified FABIO tetraploid Italian ryegrass
4.30 kg certified GORDO ORGANIC Italian ryegrass
2.00 kg certified MILVUS or GLOBAL red clover
1.00 kg certified CONTEA crimson clover
10.00 kg certified EARLY ENGLISH ORGANIC vetch
Ref.
FVORG 65% ORGANIC
This short term ley is for those wishing to produce a large amount
of forage in a very short time. This type of ley has been used on
organic farms in Europe for many years. It is also a good fertility builder
providing large amounts of N once ploughed.
The mixture can be sown from March until August and will provide grazing
or a massive cut of silage after 8 -10 weeks. There will also be
regrowth which provides a second cut or grazing. The ley can be left down
over the winter as a cover or to hold stock. The forage is high in protein
and is a well balanced feed due to the ryegrass content.
In addition to red clover the mixture also contains crimson clover and vetches.
These two species lift the yield over a short period of time. The mixture
should only be relied upon for one full year of production. The vetch seed
is larger than the others, hence the higher inclusion rate.
