Bar Tech February 2022

With the current market for artificial nitrogen around 300% up year on year, we are seeing an increase in growers looking to grow their own nitrogen by sowing legumes. Clovers come in many types from Subterranean to Alsike, Crimson to Egyptian. The focus for UK grassland is Red and White clovers. So, what is the difference between red and white clover for farming? 

What is the difference between red and white clover for farming? 

Red clover is a short-lived (2-3 year) perennial plant, growing up to 80cm high. It can fix up to 200kgN/ha and produce a forage with up to 19% Crude Protein. The plant grows from a single crown which is prone to damage through grazing and cutting. Red clover populations tend to diminish over time and struggle to establish quickly enough for overseeding. Red clover has the potential to be a very valuable crop for UK livestock farmers, but careful management is required, to maintain its population in the sward. Post-cutting grazing is ideal for finishing lambs or grazing young cattle. Breeding sheep should avoid all red clover sources for six weeks pre-tupping until six weeks after tupping as phytoestrogens can affect the breeding cycle and conception rates. Read our article on red clover advice here

White clover is one of the most common legumes in the UK. It is very persistent and easy to establish. White clover is classified from its leaf size, from large through to small. Usually, it is beneficial to use a blend of clovers to allow the population to develop in the sward. Once white clover is sown the population increases through its ability to spread through its stolons. White clover can fix up to 150kg N /ha and can last for over 5 years. White clover dislikes high artificial fertiliser rates, low pH and poor phosphate index. Of the two clovers, white is more suitable for use in over seeding. It can be sown, broadcast, mixed with slurry before application or fed to grazing animals to distribute it.  

To aid the clovers establishment, it needs: 

• A minimum pH of 6. 
• Phosphate index around 3. 
• A firm but not compacted sward to establish in. 

• A low artificial fertiliser regime less than 200kg N / ha. 

Using a white clover blend, like Prota White, containing a mixture of clover leaf sizes, at a seed rate of around 1kg per acre, will apply 500,000 seeds. Mechanical overseeding costs around £60 per ha and should persist for around 3-5 years depending on management.