Trifolium pratense
Red clover, like chicory, is an essential forage component for high performance stock systems. High palatability, a tap root that supports summer production and a high degree of acceptance by all stock, makes it excellent for use in a wide range of pasture situations.
Red clover is a short lived perennial, usually persisting for 1-2 years with lax or long summer grazing rotations. It performs best in areas of 700mm+ rainfall, and fertile, well drained, slightly acidic to neutral soils.
In perennial pastures it is often included, at 3-5kg/ha, with white clover and herbs, or at 6-8kg/ha with short rotation rye grasses or supplementary feed paddocks. Red clover can also be established with other legumes and herbs (without grass) as a short term, high quality summer forage for young stock finishing, with a sowing rate of 6-8kg/ha in this situation. Red clover cultivars vary in their growth habit, with erect types being more suited to hay but less persistent under grazing.
Red clover cultivars can be divided into early and late flowering types. Early types not only flower earlier but commence spring growth earlier, and are generally more cool-season active. This may be useful in production systems that require early legume content. Late flowering types tend to be more winter dormant.
CLARET has been specifically bred as a quality component for pastures destined for hay/silage production.
The long, fine, leafy stems compete well in a strong grass canopy, and can provide good summer quality. CLARET can be expected to persist beyond 2 years under hay/silage management.
CLARET also has a place in short rotation high quality pastures for summer stock finishing.
|
