Why is clover important?
Clover fixes atmospheric nitrogen & increases overall feed quality, leading to higher productivity.
- Acts like a natural source of fertilizer in pastures
- Reduces the need for supplementary N applications
- Improves sustainability
How can I maintain my clover?
Healthy clover is better able to withstand pest attack than clover which is already under stress. Here are some things that can help:
N Application
Application of N after grazing in spring and autumn can help clover withstand attack by CRW. Quantities vary with pasture management, region & soil but a total of 150-200kg N/ha can replace losses through CRW.
Grazing regime
Graze well in spring as shading by grass prevents sunlight reaching clover and it can’t thrive. In summer maintain sufficient pasture cover to protect clover stolons from burning in direct sunlight.
Pasture renovation
There are many pests that can put pressure on clover, e.g. nematodes, porina and CRW. A benefit of pasture renovation is that by removing clover and sowing with a non-host plant, such as brassica or maize, pest lifecycles are broken. Clover can then be re-established into a ‘clean’ site. Sowing upright tetraploid perennial ryegrasses helps clover to persist better than diploid grasses which can shade & crowd the clover.
