Increase clover in your pasture, increase production

Did you know you could increase your dry matter production by up to 3.5 tonnes per year, simply by increasing the amount of clover in your pasture?

Clover is a crucial component of New Zealand pastures, providing an excellent feed option alongside ryegrass, and the bonus of fixing atmospheric nitrogen (saving on additional fertiliser costs).

While most farmers plant clover annually as part of their standard pasture mix, few realise the importance of paddock preparation to ensure the value of the clover is reached.

Traditionally, ryegrass-white clover pasture was sown into a seedbed that had been prepared by cultivation, which, in turn, reduced pests and soil mineral nitrogen levels.

Modern pasture management techniques, including grass-to-grass renewal, direct drills, and an increased use of nitrogen fertiliser, however, have led to a decline in white clover establishment.

But the tide is turning. South Island based Technical Sales Specialist Russell Hamilton says he and his team are seeing a renewed interest in cultivation and preparation for clover.

“To meet our sustainability targets, we need to increase the average milk solids per cow annually. Increasing clover content in pasture is a way to achieve this, particularly given that we now have nitrogen limits in place across the country. Every 10% increase in clover content in pasture equates to around an additional 100kgMS/ha. There are some real financial and environmental benefits in better managing our clover content of pastures,” says Russell.

A technical paper released by DairyNZ and AgKnowledge found that when clover comprises between 10% and 40% of total dry matter (DM) in summer, there are gains of between 1.4 and 3.4tDM/ha per year. The paper found most New Zealand pastures contained less than 15% but Russell says it’s often closer to around 6%.

Preparation is essential

Compared to many seed types, clover can be a bit tricky to get established, and preparation is essential. It is a process that cannot be rushed.

“We know the benefits of clover, but it’s the preparation that is letting us down as an industry. We’ve been focused on speed, but to get good clover content in your pasture, you need to start with a good seedbed.

We’re talking 12-18 months of preparation. Clover seeds are tiny and need a shallow, moist, firm and level seedbed to thrive. The ideal depth is 5mm – essentially half the size of a Lego® Minifigure’s head,” Russell says.

“The ideal approach is to fully cultivate a paddock, but that’s not always achievable. If farmers are planning to direct drill or do a minimal till, then they are best to do at least two weed sprays before they drill, and make sure it’s a level paddock.”

The longer the preparation time, the more resistant to pests the clover bed will be.

“By spraying twice and potentially adding a break crop, you’re changing the ecosystem and effectively removing the food sources for the pests that target clover,” Russell says.

Clover is a sign of productivity

Cows love the taste of clover, and it has a higher nutritional value than ryegrass alone. This increased palatability leads to increased feed intake, which in turn can lead to increased production. Clover can also be broadcast on an existing pasture.

“Clover is very versatile, and although it can be a bit precious to begin with, once you’ve got it established, your pasture will be in excellent condition – the rest takes care of itself. If you’ve got a good bed of clover in your pasture, it means you’ve done your pasture establishment well, you don’t have many pests and weeds, and you’ve got your grazing management down,” Russell says.