Use
White clover can be cut or grazed. It lasts longer than red clover although it is lower yielding. Its lower growth habit makes it suited to grazing and this is its main use. The aim is to produce a sward which contains 30-50% white clover and the right balance of clover to grass throughout the year. Where possible allow an interval of about 35 days between defoliation. This gap allows the legume to perform. Most of its nitrogen is fixed during the later stages of growth and therefore early defoliation restricts nitrogen fixation. Also we have encountered less bloat on mature swards.

Yield
Dry matter yields of white clover leys are in the range of 10-13 t/ha. Without using any applied nitrogen, high clover leys can achieve the same production as conventional systems.

Variety
There is a large range of white clovers available. White clovers are classified by leaf size. In general terms, the smaller the leaf, the more tolerant of close grazing. The medium leaved varieties are more productive especially when cut for silage or hay. Although large leaved strains give slightly higher yields they are less persistant when grazed and are therefore for specialist use only. We advise the use of the following varieties:

Sowing & Establishment
White clover grows on all but the most waterlogged soils. Phosphate and potash levels should be above soil index 2 and pH over 5.6. Sow between March and September. White clover seeds are small and will benefit from shallow sowing. A very firm seed bed is required and the clover must be sown on the surface. (You should be able to ride a bicycle across the field before sowing!) Rolling at least once after sowing is strongly recommended.

If undersowing do not choose a thick crop. This will result in failure. A thinly sown spring cereal is ideal. The seeds are best sown by broadcasting using a spinner. If sowing in the autumn, aim to sow by mid September.