With autumn reseeding imminent it is now time to consider what to include within the ley mix.  The benefits from clover have been well known for a number of years but have recently been confirmed by work carried out at Moorepark in Ireland.  These benefits include:
1. Reduction in the use of nitrogen.  In many cases clover can generate up to 150 kg of N per year;
2. Increased drought tolerance;
3. Increased milk and milk solids by approximately 1 litre / day and 20 kg of milk solids over a grazing season;

Many farmers are put off from using clover because it limits the use of broad leafed herbicides and is often associated with an increased risk of bloat.  Both of these are valid concerns but can be overcome.
The key points of establishing clover is that:
i. To gain the full benefit from clover the sward needs to be 30-40% by weight.  To establish this sward requires about 15% of the seed mix (2kg / acre) of seed.
ii. Clover needs to be planted and established well before the winter and ideally should be established by the early part of September for most of the country.
iii. Drilling depth and soil contact are critical, clovers should not be drilled at more than 5mm and often broadcasting and rolling is sufficient.
iv. Clover prefers higher pHs and the ideal pH is 6.5 whilst clover will establish on poor fertility sites it will take increased amount of phosphate and can die out on low phosphate situations, an ideal index being 2.
Red clovers unlike their white clover sisters do not produce stolons and are only viable for two or three years.  However, the output can be in the 12-15 ton DM / Ha with a saving of up to 200 kg of nitrogen.  Not only does this reduce cost of production but the resulting silage will have increased crude protein levels reducing the protein requirement from the remainder of the diet.

A comprehensive list of clovers can be found on the AHDB website.  Alternatively if you want advice on grassland mixes, consult William at w.waterfield@fcgagric.com or your local FCG consultant.