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 new improved 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.
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.
3.00 kg certified MILVUS red clover
3.00 kg certified GEMINI tet. Italian ryegrass
3.00 kg certified FOX Italian ryegrass
3.00 kg certified FABIO tet. Italian ryegrass
Ref.
MIXCGO3
Two years maximum production of silage without the need for
artificial nitrogen fertiliser. 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 £40.57 (30 kg/ha £101.43)
3.00 kg certified MILVUS red clover
3.00 kg certified ABERECHO tet. hybrid ryegrass
3 .00 kg certified ABEREXCEL tet. hybrid ryegrass
3.00 kg certified CALIBRA tet. perennial ryegrass
Ref.
MIXCGO6 More persistent and high yielding, this ley has proved to
be highly successful. It incorporates the best red clover with hybrid and
perennial ryegrasses and gives yields nearly as high as our two year red clover
ley.
Red
Clover Ley
Three-Four Year Mixture
Sowing
Clover Seed
Small seeds need
surface sowing
otherwise results,
as this chart shows,
will be unreliable.
