The Clover Reporter

The Grass10 team would like to introduce you to a new section of the newsletter, The Clover Reporter. This section will give weekly reports and videos from farmers who have a lot of clover established on their farms. These farms are continuing to establish more clover into their grass-clover swards for animal performance and nitrogen reduction gains. We will keep you updated on the challenges and opportunities they face on their journey.

The Management and establishment of grass-white clover swards booklet discusses and sets out the principles for the management and establishment of grass-white clover swards so that the benefits can be achieved at farm level.

Name: Robert and Denis O Dea
Location: Kilteely, Co. Limerick
Enterprise: Dairy
Soil Type: 55.07 ha of Howardstown (heavy soil) and 57.84 ha of Elton (dry soil).
% Farm In Clover End 2022: 70% (77.9 ha)
% From Reseeding in 2022: 63% (27.26ha)
% From Oversowing in 2022: 37% (15.72ha)
Clover content 2022: 19%
Clover varieties: Crusader (M), Chieftain (M), Buddy (M), Coolfin (S)

Seeding Rate/Ac: 2 kg/ac - oversown, 1.5 kg/ac - reseed
Methods Used: Reseed – Disc and one pass, Oversow – Earth seeder

1st Rotation Management:

"Our plan is to follow the spring rotation planner and aim to have 30% grazed by the end of February. We are well on the way to achieving this with cows out night and day since the 3^rd of February and weanlings grazing their red clover paddocks. At the moment we are taking the opportunity to graze the wetter ground on the farm while to conditions are good"

February Slurry and N plan:

"We made the nitrogen planner on Pasturebase at the beginning of 2023 and aim to follow this plan for the remainder of the year. Slurry went out on 30% of the ground on the 4^th of February at a rate of 2,600 gallons/acre. The rest of the farm, aside from the red clover paddocks, received 23 units/acre of protected urea. Red clover paddocks will receive nitrogen post grazing. The slurry that went out on clover paddocks is currently being tested and this information will be used to decide on next N application and stick to the Nitrogen planners"

Top Tip For Clover:

"We prioritise clover paddocks to get a good graze out and not to build a heavy cover on those paddocks. However, to build their farm cover for spring some clover paddocks do end up with a heavier cover (~1600 kg DM/ha). These paddocks are being targeted for grazing early in spring to ensure light gets down into the base of the sward and sets the clover paddocks up for the rest of the grazing season"

Michael Doran, Co. Wexford - 7-2-23

Name: Michael Doran
Location: Duncormick, Co. Wexford
Enterprise: Dairy
Soil Type: Slightly Heavy Soil in Drier Area
% Farm In Clover End 2022: 60%
% From Reseeding: 34%
% From Oversowing: 26%
Clover content 2022: 16%
Clover varieties: Medium Leaves: Buddy, Chieftain, Crusader.
Small Leaf: Coolfin
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2 kg/ac - oversown, 1.5 kg/ac - reseed
Methods Used: Reseed – Guttler, Oversow – Grass-harrow and APV disc spreader

Clover Plan 2022: There’s only 7ha of the grazing block remaining with grass only and that’s not in silage ground. The plan is to oversow these paddocks with clover this year. One small 1ha paddock with low clover content didn’t get a good take when reseeded so it will be oversowed too. Depending on the year another 5ha of grass-clover going to be reseeded to improve performance. There is 4ha of the silage ground being reseeded with red clover-grass mix on a 2-cut system.

1st Rotation Management: We will graze the paddocks due for oversowing normal in spring but make sure that they’re ready to graze again in the first half of April on the second rotation. Grazing it tight and don’t mind if cows mark it. I feel this helps open up the sward and allows better chance for seed to germinate. Half the grazing block has got 2000 gal LESS per acre in late Jan and the remainder is getting 23u N/ac protected urea this week.

Michael's Top Tip For Clover: We need a nitrogen plan. Everything is getting about 70u N/ac by early Aril between Protected urea and slurry. That’s growing grass into April for the 2^nd rotation. The paddocks that are high in clover will be reduced nitrogen from end May onwards. When my silage ground is out, over 80% of the grazing block is grass-clover swards. Reducing back nitrogen on high clover swards last year has given me the confidence to reduce N even further on these paddocks and still grow the grass to feed my cows. If we don’t reduce it, clover won’t do its job as it becomes lazy!

Newsletter 22-02-22

Name: Peter Doyle
Location: Derrypatrick Teagasc Grange, Meath
Enterprise: Suckler calf-to-beef
Soil Type: Brown earth with gleying
% Farm In Clover End 2022: 50 % (32 ha)
% From Reseeding: 50 % (ha)
% From Oversowing: 50 % (ha)
Clover content 2022: 20 % on 32 ha
Clover varieties: Chieftain (medium leaf size) and Coolfin (small leaf size)
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2.5 kg/ac - oversown, 2 kg/ac - reseed
Methods Used: Reseed – power harrow x2, one-pass and roll, Oversow – Einbock and roll.

Objective of Clover Trial in Grange: Compare herbage production, animal performance (suckler cow milk yield, weaning weights, average daily gains, carcass traits etc.) and environmental measurements (methane production, N leaching) on grass-only vs. grass-clover swards in a suckler calf-to-beef systems.

1st Rotation Management:

Soil samples were sent off at the start of January.
Current farm cover is 930 kg DM/ha.
40 heifer weanlings were turned out on the 25^th January and these will graze the red clover silage ground this coming week (if conditions allow) as these fields will be cut for silage in mid-May. Therefore, we plan to have these fields closed off early. From mid-February onwards, depending on conditions, cows + calves will graze the grazing block around that yard, whilst yearling stock will graze silage ground that is expected to be cut the start of June. The aim this year is to close off the silage ground by 1^st 1^st calving heifers + their calves will be prioritised for turnout.
Spring slurry application will be prioritised on silage ground and paddocks low in P+K.

Peter's Top Tip For Clover: This coming April and May represents a new opportunity to over-sow clover. Before time becomes limited during calving, now is a good time to identify suitable paddocks (soil fertility, sward openness, etc.) to over-sow with clover. Make sure to order seed in advance, as delayed oversowing (June onwards) can limit the chances of success.

The Clover Reporter

Summary of 2022

The grazing experiment in Clonakilty in 2022 had 4 treatments, a grass-only sward receiving 225 kg N/ha (GO-225), a grass-only sward receiving 150 kg N/ha (GO-150), a grass-clover sward receiving 150 kg N/ha (GC-150) and a grass-clover sward receiving 75 kg N/ha (GC-75). On the 150 kg N/ha treatments, the N fertiliser rate was reduced to just under half the N fertiliser rate of the 225 kg N/ha treatment from mid-May onwards. On the 75 kg N/ha treatment, all the N fertiliser was due to be spread by the end of May, however, we did spread a small amount of N fertiliser on approximately 60% of the area in late August so we ended up spreading 85 kg N/ha on the treatment in 2022. A summary of the results are presented in Table 1.

Sward clover content was relatively low at 14.0% and 16.9%, which was disappointing as clover content was 20% in 2021. Grass growth was similar on the GO-225 and GC-150 treatments (14.4 t DM/ha), but was reduced on the Go-150 (13.7 t DM/ha) and the GC-75 (12.7 t DM/ha) treatments. Grass growth in 2022 was approximately 1.2 t DM/ha behind 2021 due to the dry weather in 2022. In Clonakilty only 60% of normal rainfall had been received by the end of September. AS a consequence, no treatment was able to make its winter feed requirements but the reduction in grass production on the GC-75 treatment in particular meant that more silage had to be fed during lactation, which further decreased the winter feed produced.

We fed 800 kg concentrate per cow, which would be higher than normal, again largely due to the very dry weather and shortages of grass. Cows milked well and produced on average 508 kg milk solids/cow. Overall there was a 14 kg difference in milk solids/cow between the grass-only and grass-clover swards. The study, with the same treatments, will continue again in 2023.

Table 1 – Summary of 2022 performance

Update from the Clover150 Programme 2022

Michael Egan and Caitlin Looney

The Clover150 Project was established on 35 farms in 2021, with a range of land types, geographic spread and enterprises, with four main objectives;

Reduce Nitrogen (N) Surplus <130 kg N/ha and an increase N use efficiency >40%
≤ 150 kg N fertiliser/ha
Average sward clover content of 20 – 25%
≥ 14 t DM/ha grown

Results to date:

Clover was established on farms by reseeding and oversowing, with double the area oversown. The area of the farm in clover at the end of 2022 was 64%, with an average sward clover content of 18%. There was no variation in sward clover content between reseeded and oversown paddocks, at 19% and 18%, respectively. Nitrogen fertiliser reduced by -18 kg N/ha across the 35 farms from 2021 to 2022, however there was a significant increase in the proportion of organic N used on farm +15 kg N/ha. Grass grown reduced on farm by 1 t DM/ha, to the end of November, with a large proportion of this reduction caused by the drought in late summer. On a subset of 16 matched farm that had N data reported on PBI from 2020 to 2022, there was a 28% (66 kg N/ha) reduction in chemical N usage between 2020 and 2022, and a 1.1 t DM/ha reduction in the same period.

Key recommendation from the Clover150 programme:

Clover will be the main innovation responsible for a rapid reduction of chemical N on farm as shown on Clover 150 farms. Below are recommendations developed form the project;

Carry out a N plan for 2023 on PBI

Identify and tailor N application for individual paddocks

Greater use of soiled water in summer

~2,500 gallons of soiled water can successfully replace chemical N in summer rotations on established clover swards (> 25% clover)

Continue to increase clover area and content

Over sow approximately 15% of farm in late March/April
Reseed 5 - 10% per year

Maintain balance of grass and clover – average 20-25% annually

10-15% in spring
20-25% in summer
< 40% in autumn

Table 1: Herbage production and Nitrogen application on the Clover50 farms for 2021 and 2022

Brian McCarthy, Clonakilty - 22-11-22

Location: Clonakilty Agricultural College, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Enterprise: Dairy
Soil Type: Predominantly light loam soils
% Farm In Clover: 37% (31 ha; half of the research area is grass-only for experimental purposes)
% From Reseeding: 90% (28 ha)
% From Oversowing: 10% (3 ha)
Clover content 2022: 20% on 31 ha

Grazing Management of Grass-Clover Swards
Average farm cover is 733 kg DM/ha on the grass-clover 150 kg N/ha treatment and growth was 17 kg DM/ha per day last week. We are nearly finished grazing, we have 2 paddocks left to graze, both were reseeded this year so we are waiting for the weather to dry up a bit before we graze them as ground conditions are too wet to graze them at the minute.

Once these paddocks are grazed, we estimate we will have an average farm cover of approximately 650 kg DM/ha on the 1^st of December. This is slightly lower than the target of 700 kg DM/ha but there is a heavy cover on the 2 paddocks left and this needs to come off before closing for the winter. There is one paddock that was grazed at the start of October that has good clover and a cover of 1,300 kg DM/ha on it today (21-11-22), which we would like to graze again but we would drop our farm cover too low if we did so we will leave it now until the spring.

Last Application of Fertiliser/Autumn Slurry Use
The last application of fertiliser was at the start of September, where paddocks got 17 units/acre of a combination of protected urea and Clover Boost, a product that contains boron and other trace minerals that can help improve clover persistency. All of our slurry was used by mid-summer but dirty water was applied at 2,500 gallons/acre to approximately 30% of the farm on the drier paddocks after grazing during September and early October. We spread 150 kg N/ha chemical fertiliser for the year on the grass-clover 150 kg N/ha treatment.

Soil Fertility improvement on Farm
All of the research area is above a soil Ph of 6.0 and is in index 3 or 4 for P and K. However, the Ph has been dropping slightly so we plan to spread 2 t/acre of lime on 50% of the research area to maintain soil PH above 6.3. We also plan on spreading 50 units/acre of K to maintain soil K levels. We had hoped to do this sooner but the wet weather in October and November meant that we weren’t able to travel the ground. If things dry out a bit we will hopefully get a chance in the next week or two to spread the lime and K.

Herbage grown on selection of Grass-Clover Paddocks
We have grown 14.1 t DM/ha on the grass-clover 150 kg N/ha treatment so far this year at a clover content of 14% on average for the year. In comparison we have grown 14.2 t DM/ha on the grass-only 225 kg N/ha treatment so far this year. We are a bit disappointed with our clover content this year, despite the fact that we had similar overall DM production on the grass-clover 150 kg N/ha and the grass-only 225 kg N/ha treatments. We had 20% clover in the grass-clover 150 kg N/ha treatment in 2021. We had exceptional growth last winter and had a very high opening farm cover last spring and this did not help clover contents in the sward. Hopefully we can increase sward clover content again in 2023 through reseeding and oversowing.

Peter Doyle, Co. Meath - 15-11-22

Location:  Teagasc Grange
Enterprise:  Suckler calf-to-beef
Soil Type:  Brown earth with gleying
% Farm In Clover: 50 %
% From Reseeding: 50 %
% From Oversowing: 50 %
Clover content 2022: 27 %

Grazing Management of Grass-Clover Swards
Currently all cows and finishing stock are housed. Replacement heifers and weaned calves are still at pasture. The expected housing date for these is the end of November (weather depending). We have had no issues with bloat with cows, however, we had a small number of incidences of bloat with weaned calves (no fatalities) at the start of November on both grass-only and grass-clover pastures. To overcome this we are now offering small straw square bales with the meal each morning. We have had no incidences of bloat since introducing straw.

A low cover (<1000 KgDM/ha) is targeted over the winter for paddocks that were oversown with clover this year. Oversown clover was very successful on the farm this year and we will be continuing it next year.

Last Application of Fertiliser/Autumn Slurry Use
At the start of September each paddock received either a half a bag of urea/acre (28 kg N/ha) or 2500 gallons of slurry/acre. The slurry was targeted on the paddocks with the lowest soil P and K index. Daily grass growth was exceptionally good on this farm from September through to the start of October, achieving a daily growth of 50 kg DM/ha. This helped to build covers for the autumn and maintain a long grazing season.

Soil Fertility Improvement on Farm
The farm’s soil P and K index and pH has been corrected over the past number of years and is on target. Fertility is being maintained as required. This year we tried mole ploughing prior to reseeding in fields that had poor soil structure.

Clover 2021 vs. 2022
This time last year, clover content on selected paddocks was 9 %. This has increased to 27 % this year through a combination of reseeding and oversowing.

Research plan for next year
Next year a grass-only vs. a grass-clover experiment will be conducted within a suckler calf-to-beef production system. The system will be stocked at 2.2-2.3 LU/ha. Grass-clover paddocks will receive 75 kg N/ha and grass-only paddocks will receive 150 kg N/ha.

William Dennehy, Co. Kerry - 08-11-22

Location: Currow, Castleisland, Co. Kerry
Soil Type: Medium Soils in a high rainfall area
2021 % Farm in Clover: 36% (11.89 Ha)
% from Reseeding: 33% (3.9Ha)
% from Oversowing: 67% (7.99Ha)
Clover content 2021: 17%
Total % Farm in Clover: 45%

Grazing Management of Grass-Clover Swards
I have 10-12 grazings left but grazing has stopped since Saturday. My average farm cover is 780 KgDM/ha. The growth is 20 KgDM/ha/day. There’s about 1000 KgDM/ha on the clover paddocks which I closed up. I think this is too heavy for the winter, if it dries, I’ll graze them, but it’s more important not to damage them. I’ll graze a grass paddock first if I get a break in the rain, and then once they’re settled again, I’ll let them into the clover. I’m aiming to have a closing cover 700 KgDM/ha for 1^st December so I need to get back out!

I did have an issue with bloat in September. I’m not sure what to put it down to. It is a learning curve. I put up a 3hr stripwire for cows when entering high clover paddocks and use the Battlatch to open into the rest of the paddock then. I’m using bloat oil as an extra precaution since. I use a dispenser in the water trough, which I put in the day before the cows enter the clover paddock. I had no issues since. [See below Battlatch system within the paddock allowing Willie to strip-graze for 3 hrs on high clover paddocks and then open the rest of the paddock to the cows when they are full].

Total N Fertiliser and Grass Grown
163 KgDM/ha chemical N with 12.7 T DM/ha grown year to date, estimate for 13.5 T DM/ha for the year.

Soil Fertility improvement on Farm
I soil sample every year to keep a close eye on the fertility. I’m hoping some of the lower indexes will be up at optimum now. I’ll soil sample from now on when things are dry. I spread 50 T lime this year on paddocks that had pH of 6.2 to bring them up and help clover establishment. I also spread one bag of MOP (50u K/acre) on low indexes and clover paddocks spilt over two applications earlier in the year.

Herbage grown on selection of Grass-Clover Paddocks
Paddock 2: Over 15 T DM/ha grown to date, only chemical N until April, Clover content 30% in early September. This paddock has been grazed 10 times this year.

Paddock 15: Reseeded 13^th May 2022 with a grass-clover mix of 50% Nashota and 50% Astonenergy plus 2kg Coofin (small leaf white clover). It has grown 12 T DM/ha to date. It got 2 bags 10-10-20 at sowing and 1 bag 18-6-12 a month later and parlour washings since. It had a clover content 22% in early September.

Soil indexes are key to this – that’s why I’m soil sampling every year!

Ger Pardy, Co. Offaly - 01-11-22

Location:  Birr, Co. Offaly
Enterprise:  Dairy
Soil Type:  Dry & Clay soils
% Farm In Clover:  100% (78ha) – (>60% enough to reduce N)
% From Reseeding:  10% (8ha)
% From Oversowing: 90% (70ha)
Clover content 2021: 23% on best. 12% on remainder

Grazing Management of Grass-Clover Swards
100% of the farm has grass-clover swards now and the clover content of the swards have increased, with some of them even a bit too high. I’m planning on over-sowing one or two paddocks with grass seed next year that had around 70% clover content this year. Cows were only getting 1kg meal for the last couple of months but are being housed and getting 2-3kg meal now. Aiming to feed just under 700 Kg meal and produce over 500 KgMS per cow they did 530 kg MS last year. I feel it is difficult to carry a heavy farm cover over the winter for grass-clover swards. I have grazed the new grass-clover swards they are my priority to allow light to the base and encourage stolon growth. Paddocks to be reseeded next year can carry the heavier covers. There is enough grass to keep grazing by day for a lot of November.

Nutrient Management and Grass Growth
There was a total 98 Kg N/ha applied this year, of which 68 Kg N/ha was chemical. we have grown around 12.7 T DM/ha to date and will finish up around 13.5 T DM/ha for the year. We have applied a lot of K, with some paddocks getting 15-20u K every second grazing. It was a good year for grass growth, and to get grass-clover swards established through reseeding. These are responding better to fertiliser and their growth rates held even when things got dry.

Soil Fertility improvement on Farm
K indexes are all good across the farm, apart from some land which floods in the winter. K seems to compliment the clover growth, definitely gives it a lift. Soil tests are done every year. We’re naturally high in pH on this farm.

I have grass and clover seed ordered for reseeding 25 acres next year. It is important to plan ahead and have everything you need for reseeding. The best time for establishing grass-clover swards on our farm is late March into early April. These have given the best success.

Herbage grown on selection of Grass-Clover Paddocks

3a – Grown 12.6 T DM/ha using a total 111 Kg N/ha (including slurry)

Mooneys Rd – Grown 13.8 T DM/ha using a total 129 Kg N/ha (including slurry)

Name: Trevor Boland

Location: Sligo
Enterprise: Suckler/Beef
Soil Type: Clay
% Farm In Clover: 50% (ha)
% From Reseeding: 0% (ha)
% From Oversowing: 50% (ha)
Clover content 2021: 25% on ha

Current grazing situation

With a lot of rain falling over the past month, stocking rate has been reduced to enable younger stock stay at grass longer. There is currently about 25 days grass ahead of stock, with growth rates dropping to 20kgs/DM/ha. Stock are not being forced to clean off paddocks very tight as ground conditions are too difficult at the moment.

Soil Fertility improvement on Farm this autumn

While the weather is difficult at the moment, I took advantage of very dry conditions in August to spread 60 tonne of lime. While pH levels on the farm are good overall, I am continuing to spread a good quantity of lime on the farm each year to maintain pH levels.

Herbage grown on selection of Grass-Clover Paddocks

I have grown almost 12 T DM/Ha so far this year on an out farm that has been oversown with clover. The last application of artificial fertiliser was spread on the 10^th June and grass growth continued at a steady pace since. I have used predominantly 18-6-12 products on this farm, as soil sample results are showing that I need to improve the p levels, which is vital for clover establishment.

Jim White, Tipperary - 18-10-22

Location: Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
Enterprise: Dairy
Soil Type: Dry Soils
2021 Data:
% Farm In Clover: 32% (21.4ha)
% From Reseeding: 49% (10.4ha)
% From Oversowing: 51% (22ha)
Clover content 2021: 18% on 21.4ha

Autumn Grazing
It’s all about looking ahead to the spring now. We have a very high demand in spring as calving starts the end of January and by the end of February we’ll have over 60% calved. We get to grass straight away and I don’t like feeding silage in the spring.

I’m not concentrated on grazing the clover paddocks just yet. At the minute, we’re grazing and closing the first paddocks to graze in the spring. We’ll be grazing the clover paddocks and closing them from 1^st November. We kept the new grass-clover swards pre-grazing yield below 1,300 kgDM/ha all year, even into the autumn.

There’s been silage going in since early September to help build and stretch grass into the autumn. The silage is helping for fibre especially when grazing the grass-clover paddocks. 1^st calvers will be dried-off in early November and hope to house the cows after the middle of November.

11ha or 16% was oversown with clover this year and I’m very happy with it in terms of clover content. We sowed a monoculture of grass plus clover in a full reseed in early September and it has grown well. Red clover was sown in a silage field in August and it was sprayed for docks. It’s been grazed with light stock at the moment.

Last Application of Fertiliser
We applied 40u N/ac on grass only swards on 10^th Sept after nearly 7 weeks of no N applied. The grass-clover paddocks got 25u N/ac at the same time. We have reduced the amount of chemical N applied this year by 60 Kg N/ha whilst maintaining pasture production. In 2021, we applied 250Kg N/ha, and this year we applied 190 KgN/ha.

Soil Fertility Improvements
Everything that is oversown gets 1 T/ac of lime at the time of oversowing. The reseeds get 2 T/ac and the red clover got 2.5 T/ac.

I soil sample 50% of the farm each year. This will help identify paddocks for oversowing and reseeding next year. I really believe that these paddocks need to be picked before the end of this year.

Year-to-date Pasture grown on selection of Grass-Clover Paddocks
Paddock 25 (reseeded last year) – Grew 13.5 TDM/ha from 10 grazings and received 152 Kg N/ha plus 32 Kg N/ha from slurry.

Paddock 6 (oversown this year) – Grew 10.4 TDM/ha from 10 grazings and received 152 Kg N/ha and no slurry.

Paddock 24 (16 year-old grass-clover pasture) – Grew 13.6 T DM/ha from 11 grazings and received 173 Kg N/ha and no slurry.

Laurence Sexton, Co. Cork - 11-10-22

Location: Kilbrittain, West Cork
Enterprise: Dairy
Soil Type: Dry – Free Draining
In 2021:
% Farm In Clover: 70% (90ha)
% From Reseeding: 45% (40ha)
% From Oversowing: 55% (50ha)
Clover content: 15.5% on 90ha

Last Application of Fertiliser
Didn’t spread a lot of chemical nitrogen for the last round as not all the summer applications were used and when the weather broke felt there would be a large release of soil nitrogen.

15 units of protected urea with sulphur (38-0-0-7.5) in early September.

Autumn Slurry Use
2,500 gallons of slurry and parlour washings applied with the trailing shoe in early Oct to empty all the tanks for the winter. This was applied on fields that were cut for silage during the year.

Soil Fertility improvement on Farm
Slurry was applied to return nutrients to the silage fields. Lime was applied on 35 acres at a rate of 2 tonnes per acre.

Herbage grown on selection of Grass-Clover Paddock
11.6 tonnes of grass grown YTD – effected by drought for a lot of the summer. 14.2 tonnes of grass grown for the same period in 2021. Over 2.5 tonnes per hectare less grass grown. There was no 2^nd cut was made on the farm as it was grazed this year. 8.6 grazings and 0.3 cuts of silage was taken from each paddock on average in 2022. Average pre grazing yield for the year so far is 1,168kg DM/ha.

Paddock 31 grew 11.9t DM/ha with 111kg chemical N/ha

Paddock 35 grew 11.4t DM/ha with 119kg chemical N/ha and 32kg N coming from slurry (151kg N total)

Paddock 14 – non clover paddocks – 10.8t DM/ha – 138kg chemical N/ha & 26kg N coming from slurry (164kg N total)

The Clover Reporter

Name: Kevin Moran
Location: Caherlistrane, Co. Galway
Enterprise: Spring calving dairy farming
Soil type: Mix of sandy free draining loam and clayey type loam
% farm in clover: 68% 73 (ha)
% from reseeding: 10% 10(ha)
% from oversowing: 58% 63(ha)
Clover content 2022: 25% on 73ha

Last Application of Fertiliser

Non Clover paddocks recieved 30 units of N/acre with clover paddocks getting 15 units of N/acre. Newly reseeded multi species swards recieved 1 bag per acre of 0-7-30

Autumn Slurry Use

Paddocks which have had high offtakes of P or K in particular and that have not received adequate P and K throughout the main grazing season will be targeted with the last of the slurry. The last of the dairy washings wil go on the paddocks on the third of the platform most recently grazed as they will be the final third of grazing in November.

Soil Fertility improvement on Farm

96% of mp is at optimum soil fertility. We have a 14ha outblock which produces silage and zero grazed grass on the shoulders, this outblock came back at mostly index 2 in last years samples, having been index 3. We have made a big effort to get our high dry matter slurry back on those along with 0-7-30. All mp has got 20 units of p and 50 units of k from a mix of slurry and chemical fert to maintain indices

Herbage grown on selection of Grass-Clover Paddocks

Pdk 22 – oversown. 35% clover content. 14081kgs grown ytd. 192kg N/ha chemical

Pdk 2 – oversown. 35% clover content. 14352 grown ytd. 145 kg N/ha

Pdk 21 – oversown. 25% clover content. 13240 grown ytd. 192kg n/ha

Pdk 3 oversown. 25% clover content. 13416 grown ytd. 156kg n/ha

Pdk 20 oversown, 30% clover content. 12799 grown ytd. 102kg n/ha

Name: Peter Doyle
Location: Derrypatrick Teagasc Grange, Meath
Enterprise: Suckler calf-to-beef
Soil Type: Brown earth with gleying
% Farm In Clover: 50% grass-clover (32 ha - other 50 % is grass only for trial purposes)
% From Reseeding: 53% (17 ha)
% From Oversowing: 47% (15 ha)
Clover content 2022: 27 %

Management of existing grass- clover swards during Autumn build up
Grass growth on the farm has been good the last week (50 kg DM/ha/day) and the farm cover has built nicely (1000 kg DM/ha) to set us up for the final rotation. On existing grass-clover swards, cattle are grazing covers of 1700 – 2000 kg DM/ha this week (lower for oversown paddocks). The aim is to close off existing grass-clover swards first, followed by spring reseed grass clover swards, followed by 2022 oversown grass clover swards, in an attempt to avoid young clover being smothered over the winter.

Update on 2022 oversown and reseeded swards
We are very pleased with the oversown paddocks in 2022, which were oversown from mid-April to mid-June. Plant population numbers are good, however stolon development in these new plants was relatively poor over the summer due to the very dry conditions – particularly for the later oversown paddocks. However the recent spell of rain, with good soil temperatures and fertility has encouraged further growth and development of the oversown clover. Please see picture below of one of our ‘better’ oversown paddocks.

The May reseeds have grown really well compared to older pastures during the dry August conditions, particularly the red clover reseeds. One cut was taken from the red clover reseed in the first week of September. Clover proportion was 70% and root development has been good (see picture).

Red clover was mowed with a conditioner mower, ‘wuffled’ the following morning and baled 48 hours post-cutting (achieved 4 bales/acre - see picture). The 'wuffler' is used for wilting red clover silage swards as the sward does not need to be rowed back in when the leaf is dried out and subject to breaking.

Fertiliser/Slurry strategy for the autumn for clover
Urea and fertiliser was applied across the farm in the first week of September. The remainder of the slurry is being targeted on ground with poorer soil index. A suitable pH is also critical for clover and thus, ground limestone was also applied in September on lower pH paddocks.

Management of existing grass- clover swards during Autumn
They were clover scored last week. The three 2021 reseeds are all over 30% clover content and the better one (paddock 2) is at 40%. Paddock 2 hasn’t got any chemical N since April. It got slurry in spring, a round of Urea and a round of 18-6-12, and parlour washings since. Astonenergy was sown in this paddock with clover and has grown over 12 T DM/ha to date.

The post The other two got a half-rate of N each time and they grew an average of 12 T DM/ha also. The milking platform has grown just over 11 T DM/ha. I’ve build a good cover at 323 KgDM/cow and average farm cover at 1074 KgDM/ha. I had a growth of 74 KgDM/ha over the past week. I’m grazing established clover paddocks at 1800 KgDM/ha.

William has come up with a novel way of doing the 3-hour stripwire in the high clover content swards using the Batt Latch. The cows are forced to graze all pasture, grass and clover, in a small area to ensure cows don't gorge on clover only, this helps greatly in avoiding bloat.

Update on 2022 oversown and reseeded swards
I’m grazing this year’s full reseed at lower covers still, I’m trying to keep that to 1100 kgDM/ha. I’m aiming to get as many grazings off these as possible. I stitched in 3 paddocks with clover this year and 2 are doing very well. The third one will need to be redone next year.

I hope to get two more grazings off the clover paddocks to leave light to the base for the winter and close with the farm cover at 700 KgDM/ha on Dec 1^st.

Fertiliser/Slurry strategy for the autumn for clover
For the autumn N fertiliser, I put no N on paddock 2, and a half-rate on the other two for the autumn. The oversown got a normal application for the autumn. The remaining parlour washings will go to clover paddocks. This year I have used a total 165 KG N/ha chemical N on the milking platform, plus some slurry and parlour washings.

Q & A with Jeremy Furlong discussing Red Clover Silage

Jeremy Furlong contract rears heifers in Anacarty, Co. Tipperary. On the 21st of August 2021 he reseeded 17% of his whole farm area with a red, white clover and perennial ryegrass mixture.

We asked him a few questions on how he managed the swards and what he expected from his red & white clover silage mix.

Jeremy, how did you manage the paddocks prior to reseeding?

There was a grazing and 2 cuts of silage taken off the fields in 2021.

After reseeding paddocks were grazed once in October 21 with heifer calves.

What method did you use to reseed?

Sprayed with roundup Flex. Then Power harrow and one pass were used. There were 2 runs of power harrow, seed put out on second run.

What amount of each seed & what variety did you use?

3.5kg red clover

1.5 - 2kg chieftain white clover

4.5kg Aberclyde

4.5kg Aberchoice White clover and perennial ryegrass were selected from the PPI.

When were you able to take your first cut of silage from the paddocks?

Prior to first cut paddock got 200kg/acre of 10-7-25 3.5% sulphur in split application.

It was cut on the 12th May 2022. Tedded out on 13^th May and raked and put into pit on 14^th May.

Did you manage it any differently to another cut of silage?

Cut with non-conditioner mower as not to shatter the clover leaf

What did you apply after your first cut of silage?

2300 gallons of slurry.

Were you happy with the first cut?

Yes very happy with it, yield of 1st cut went into pit silage

When was the second cut taken off the paddocks?

Second cut was taken on 6th of July 2022, yielded 6.7bales/acre.

What did you apply after the second cut?

It received 50kg/acre of MOP.

Did you take a third cut of silage this summer?

I took a third cut on the third week of August yielding 7.5 bales/acre.

Paddocks will receive watery slurry after 3rd cut.

How did you find the overall performance of your red clover, white clover & perennial ryegrass mix?

Very happy with the performance of the red clover silage so far, persistence seems to be an issue so will try to maintain it in sward as long as possible to keep down N applications.

Will you consider the mix again when reseeding silage swards in the future?

Yes I will, I would like to have 10 acres of red clover on farm at all times to produce high quality silage.

Management of existing grass- clover swards during Autumn build up

Growth has slowed to 15-20 kg/ha on the farm this week and farm cover is just over 500 kg DM/ha so we are supplementing heavily with 5 kg of concentrate and 6 kg of silage. The rain at the weekend should get grass growing again but we won’t be able to build covers as high as we normally would, which will probably be of benefit to the clover in the long run. The aim will be to close paddocks with high clover content towards the end of the last round so planning for that has started now.

Update on 2022 oversown and reseeded swards

We are very happy with the clover content of the reseeded swards this year. Clover content is between 30-40%. All reseeded swards got 3 bags of 10-10-20 at sowing. As part of the current experiment some of the reseeded swards received 10 units/acre of nitrogen after each grazing whereas other reseeded swards did not receive any nitrogen. The clover content is noticeably higher in the swards that didn’t receive any nitrogen.

We reseeded one silage field with a red clover silage mix and are very happy with how it turned out. It was sown in mid-May, was grazed once in early July and cut and baled last week. It got 3 bags of 10-10-20 at sowing but hasn’t received any nitrogen since and it yielded 6 bales/acre last week after 6 weeks growth.

The oversowing we did at the end of June is not looking like it will be successful. Conditions were good for oversowing when we did it but the farm has only received approximately 60% of normal rainfall, with July and August being particularly dry, so conditions just weren’t in our favour in terms of trying to oversow successfully.

Fertiliser/Slurry strategy for the autumn for clover

We are going to blanket spread the farm towards the end of the week once the heavy rain has passed. We are going to blanket spread the farm with 1 bag of clover boost/acre, which is a new product that has 7 units of N, some P and K and some trace minerals that are important for clover, particularly boron. We will top up the nitrogen with urea so that the clover swards will get 20 units/acre of nitrogen in total, to try and help build cover into the autumn. All of our slurry is spread but we will have some dairy washings that we will spread when we can.

Ger Pardy, Co. Offaly - 30-08-22

Management of existing grass- clover swards during Autumn build up: Growth has slowed in the past couple of weeks to 30kg/day across the farm, and I’m expecting it to be slightly lower again this week due to moisture deficits. Zero-grazing and bales going in to hold a 30 day rotation. High clover content swards (>30%) got 20u K/ac three times and some dairy washings. These swards only received 20u N/ac in the spring and no chemical N since. Clover remains very green and growing slightly and not burning up as much as the grasses.

Update on 2022 oversown and reseeded swards: The oversown paddocks got a half-bag of 0-7-30 in the first couple of months. It then got 1 bag 18-6-12 at the end July/start Aug. It will get 15u N/ac before closing. I oversowed 30 acres this year. All a success, some spots are gone dry and might be a bit hit and miss. We’ll see next year.

The 15 acres reseeded in April got 3 bags 10-10-20 at sowing and just a top up of K at 20u/ac last week. Clover is excellent in it. It got 2kg Buddy and 2kg Aberclaret (red clover). There could be as high as 30%clover content in it already. It won’t receive any N for this year to trial it and see how it goes.

Fertiliser/Slurry strategy for the autumn for clover: No slurry left it is all spread, just dairy washings will go to some clover paddocks. All oversown paddocks will get 15u N/ac.

Pictured below is Ger's reseed. Can you tell the difference between the red and white clover?

Name: Jim White
Location: Clonmel, Co. Tipperary
Enterprise: Dairy
Soil Type: Dry Soils
% Farm In Clover: 32% (21.4ha)
% From Reseeding: 49% (10.4ha)
% From Oversowing: 51% (22ha)
Clover content 2021: 18% on 21.4ha

Update on oversown and reseeded swards

I have 11ha oversown in 2022 and 11ha oversown in 2021. They key for this years oversown paddocks is that they were all grazed under 1000 Kg DM/Ha throught the summer to help the clover develop in the sward. They have recieved 12 units of N per month whereas grass only swards recieved 1 unit per day.

I have reseeded a silage block during June with red clover. The seed mixture was as follows-: 7.5 Kg Aberclyde, 4 kg Rozeta (red Clover) & 0.5 kg Aberherald (white clover) and I am reseeding another paddock at the minute and will include 2 kg of white clover in the mix.

Fertiliser/Slurry strategy for the autumn for clover

Grass only paddocks will recieve 40 units of N now for the final rotation this week and grass clover paddocks will get 20 units. This will mean grass clover paddocks have received 150 Kg N/Ha for the year.

Name: Lawrence Sexton.

Location: Kilbrittain Co.Cork

Enterprise: Dairy

Soil Type: shale to sandy
% Farm In 60% Clover:15 % 76 (ha)
% From Reseeding: 40 %50 (ha)
% From Oversowing:20 % 25(ha)
Clover content 2021: % on ha 12 to 15%

Management of existing grass- clover swards during Autumn build up

I have about 15% of the milking platform with excellent clover and this will just recieve dairy washings and 0-7-30 during the Autumn to help the clover

Update on 2022 oversown and reseeded swards

Due to being down 250mm of rain here only 10ha of silage ground has been done with a silage red clover mix in the last number of months. It is only doing ok since set on June 1^st.

I had it in mind to do some further reseeding however due to the dry weather it looks increasingly likely that this will be left until next Spring.

Name: Trevor Boland
Location: Sligo
Enterprise: Suckler - Beef
Soil Type: Clay
% Farm In Clover: % (ha) 50%
% From Reseeding: % (ha) 0
% From Oversowing: % (ha) 50%
Clover content 2021: % on ha 25%

Management of existing grass- clover swards during Autumn build up

I have an autumn calving suckler herd, so demand for grass from the cows will increase into August and September. I am currently building grass covers to see me into winter.

Weanling bulls are sold, and beef heifers are coming near fit for slaughter off grass, so the concentration it on getting enough grass on the farm for the freshly calved cows. Second cut silage is complete and there is only a small amount of grass left to be baled for silage from surplus paddocks.

Update on 2022 oversown and reseeded swards

Clover content has increased across the farm and no fertiliser has been spread since early June. No further fertiliser spreading is planned at this stage and the hope is that the increased clover content will provide enough nitrogen to keep grass growth rates ahead of demand. As beef stock are sold off and the number of groups of animals reduced, the demand for grass is mainly from the suckler cows. These cows need a quality supply of grass prior to housing and the start of breeding.

Fertiliser/Slurry strategy for the autumn for clover

There is a small amount of slurry on the farm to spread where second cut silage was taken. I also intend to spread some lime where needed to correct pH levels.

Growth is ahead of demand at the moment and will continue to be monitored to ensure no shortage of grass arises.

Name: Kevin Moran
Location: Caherlistrane, Co. Galway
Enterprise: Dairy
Soil Type: Mixed but mostly sandy loam with some heavy soils
% Farm In Clover: 65% 68(ha)
% From Reseeding: 7% 8(ha)
% From Oversowing: 58% 60(ha)
Clover content 2022: 25% on 60ha

Management of existing grass- clover swards during Autumn build up

Grass clover swards that are in year 2 or more and have a clover content greater than 25% are receiving 9kgs of N/Ha per month. Soiled water, lagoon slurry and dairy washings are providing the majority of this. Fully developed swards will be allowed grow to 1400-1500 in Autumn but will carry a low cover over winter. We use any pdks that have no clover to carry our heaviest covers over winter.

Update on 2022 oversown and reseeded swards

2022 oversown/reseeds are doing very well, they got rain at the right times and were kept grazed at 1000 PGY. They have a clover content now of 20-30% however are still receiving full rate nitrogen as the clover plant itself still appears to be immature looking. These pdks will not carry a cover any higher than 1200 throughout Autumn and will carry the lowest covers over winter.

Fertiliser/Slurry strategy for the autumn for clover

Fully developed swards with high clover content are receiving 9kgs/N/Month. Most of which is coming via slurry. This years oversown pdks and non clover pdks are getting 18kgs/N/Month.

We are also looking at Paturebase and how much P and K each paddock has received year to date and then based on their soil samples and how much silage came from them this year we will decide which require 0-10-20 or 0-7-30.

William Dennehy, Co. Kerry - 26-07-22

Name: William Dennehy
Location: Currow, Castleisland, Co. Kerry
Soil Type: Medium Soils in a high rainfall area
2021 % Farm in Clover: 36% (11.89 Ha)
% from Reseeding: 33% (3.9Ha)
% from Oversowing: 67% (7.99Ha)
Clover content 2021: 17%
Total % Farm in Clover: 45%

Management of existing grass-clover swards for the summer: Things are going well, I have the same grass grown as last year with less chemical N.

Growth is matching demand. Some paddocks stitched in last year – 3 paddocks doing very well, one doing poorly – from what I gather the most critical thing is I’m stitching in too late. I’m not stitching until May and I think if I did a month earlier it would take better. This was the first clover put in on the farm. The clover content was 25% on the good ones earlier this month. The poor paddock was 5%.

4 paddocks full reseeded last year. 3 of these got half rate N at 10-12u N/ac. These are 25% clover too. One has nearly 40% clover and it got 50u N/ac up until late April but only parlour washings and P and K afterwards. The tonnage is right up there in this paddock, it could even be a bit ahead.

Management of 2022 oversown paddocks: I oversowed 3 paddocks this year – 2 are good, one is borderline. Half-rate N on these as well. It’s important to do a small bit and do it right. It’s hard to graze everywhere at 1,000 kg DM/ha at the same time.

Management of 2022 reseeded paddocks: Full reseed this year of 5ac with astonenergy, nashota and chieftain. It was sowed the 13^th May and looking super. It got 2 bags of 10-10-20 at reseeding plus a bag of 18-6-12 about 3 weeks after sowing. It’s on a half-rate of N too. It’s been grazed twice already and will need to be grazed again this week at 1,000 Kg DM/ha.

Willie’s Top tip: I’ll be applying some potash (K) on all clover paddocks in the next few weeks. Listening to the advice from farmers and researchers it needs it and it does help.

Peter Doyle, Derrypatrick Herd Grange - 19-07-22

Name: Peter Doyle
Location: Derrypatrick Herd, Teagasc Grange, Co. Meath
Enterprise: Suckler calf-to-beef
Soil Type: Brown earth
2021 Clover Details
% Farm In Clover: 50% grass-clover (32 ha) (other 50 % is grass only for trial purposes)
% From Reseeding: 53% (17 ha)
% From Oversowing: 47% (15 ha)
Clover content: 10%

Management of existing grass- clover swards for the summer
Continue to graze covers of 1400 kg DM/ha down to 4 cm. Soil fertility will be corrected where necessary to optimise clover persistence.

Management of 2022 oversown paddocks
We are very happy with the oversown paddocks to date this year. However, the current soil moisture deficit is causing significant stress on this year’s oversown clover, so we are hoping for a good spell of rain to prevent any further damage. The newly established clover roots are strongly anchored into the ground at this stage so we are grazing the paddocks good and tight to maximise light exposure. On average we have applied 15 kg N/ha on ground since it was oversown. Currently we are fortunate to have a good grass supply on the farm so we are applying no chemical N on the oversown clover for July.

Management of 2022 reseeded paddocks
Clovermax was successfully applied to swards 5 weeks post reseeding and when rain was forecasted (to avoid spraying during heat stress). However, clovermax does not kill chickweed and if not controlled chickweed can smother out establishing clover. Therefore, we are currently grazing the reseeds to 4 cm and below to remove the chickweed from the sward. Fields reseeded in mid-May have been grazed twice to-date (see picture above).

Ger Pardy, Co. Offaly - 12-07-22

Management of existing grass- clover swards for the summer
About 30% of the dairy platform has only received 20u N/ac to date. There is a lot of clover in these paddocks. About 20-25% in April and that has increased to about 50% now. The percentage of clover in these paddocks is what's driving grass growth. These were oversown over the past 5 years and some were topped up if I felt the clover percentage dropped a bit low. My weekly grass walks are quantifying the grass growth in these paddocks are they are holding their own.

The other clover paddocks have about 17-25% clover now are getting 10u N/ac each round. Their growth rates are normal and keeping up with demand. I can’t afford to not have these paddocks growing well.

Management of 2022 oversown paddocks
We’ve oversown another 15% of the grazing block in early April. They received about 35u N/ac up to that point and since then we skipped 2 months of Nitrogen to let the clover get established. They went pale, quality was poorer, and growth suffered but clover got a good establishment. We went with one bag 18-6-12 and watery slurry last month, and with 10u N/ac this month. These paddocks still need N to feed the grass and clover, it will be next year before we can reduce chemical N properly.

Grazing management afterwards is key going in at 800-1000 kg DM/ha for the first 3 grazings has been the biggest learning for me.

Management of 2022 reseeded paddocks
I reseeded 15 acres (7% of grazing block) with 10kg Astonenergy (PRG), 2kg Buddy (white clover), and 2kg Aberclaret (red clover). I’ve never reseeded with red clover before, but hoping the red clover will fix nitrogen quicker and pay for itself in the first couple of years before it dies out. I’m not saying that what I’m doing is right but unless I try I won’t find out. I feel clover is somewhat farm specific.

Management of existing grass- clover swards for the summer

Existing grass – clover swards are receiving 11 units/acre after grazing. A certain amount of paddocks will also get 2,500 gallons/acre of slurry as well as the fertiliser. The target is to graze these swards at 1,500 kg DM/ha and graze down to 4 cm. The recent dry weather has stressed the grass and a lot of stem is being pushed up even where there is good clover. However, the rain last week is starting to green up the farm again.

Management of 2022 oversown paddocks
We only oversowed paddocks last week (29^th June) in Clonakilty. We oversowed 36% of the farm. This is probably too much to do at the one time but opportunities have been limited to oversow as the weather has been very dry since the end of March. There were a few short windows in April and May when ground conditions were suitable to oversow, but we missed these. After the rain the weekend of the 23^rd and 24^th of June we took a chance that there would be good moisture in the ground and conditions would be suitable for oversowing last week. We won’t be able to preferentially manage all the paddocks but hopefully we should be able to graze a certain amount of these paddocks at covers of less than 1,100 kg DM/ha, and reduce nitrogen fertiliser to 10 or 11 units/acre after each grazing to encourage clover establishment. This will help increase clover content on the farm overall. (see picture of new clover seedling establishment)

Management of 2022 reseeded paddocks

Reseeded paddocks will be grazed at covers of around 1,200 kg DM/ha for the first number of grazings to encourage tillering. We will spread 10-15 units of nitrogen after grazing for the first number of grazing’s to help grass and clover establishment.

Lawrence Sexton, Co. Cork - 21-06-22

Location:  Kilbrittain, West Cork
Enterprise:  Dairy
Soil Type:  Dry – Free Draining

In 2021:
% Farm In Clover:  70% (90Ha)
% From Reseeding:  45% (40Ha)
% From Oversowing:  55% (50Ha)
Clover content: 15.5% on 90Ha

Management of existing grass-clover swards for the summer: Clover paddocks are now receiving 10 units of N up to now. Grass/Clover supply on the farm over the last few weeks have been very tight.

Pre-grazing yield was 1,100Kg DM/Ha across the farm so this should promote clover. The next round of fertiliser is going to be a K product and nitrogen will be skipped on grass-clover paddocks.

Management of 2022 oversown paddocks: A small percentage of the farm was oversown in dry conditions and, as of yet, the clover in these paddocks has been slow to grow. The farm experienced very dry conditions and is a coastal dry sandy farm in nature.

Management of 2022 reseeded paddocks: These paddocks are really starting to take off. With low grass supply on the farm, the pre-grazing yield of these paddocks have remained at 1,100kg DM/ha which is ideal for tillering. The next application of nutrients will be parlour washings.

Trevor Boland, Co. Sligo - 21-06-22

Name: Trevor Boland
Location: Co. Sligo
Enterprise: Suckler and Beef
Soil Type: Clay
% Farm In Clover: 50%
% From Reseeding: 0%
% From Oversowing: 100%

Management of existing grass-clover swards for the summer: Grazing tight and not allowing covers go too high. Rotation is at about 14 days for the last month. 1 bag of 18-6-12 spread at start of June which was the first application since April. The aim is to limit fertiliser use for the rest of the year and match grass demand to growth. Grass growth rates are at 45kgs/DM/ha/day for the last week and demand is 42kgs/day.

Some paddocks are showing signs of grass under stress and in order to restore quality, these paddocks will be topped. All surplus paddocks have been cut for bales at this stage, so it is now a matter of resetting and ensuring quality grass is available for the next couple of months.

Poor quality grass will affect liveweight gain, which may not be noticeable while herding day to day, but will be noticeable when it comes to housing or selling of weanlings.

Total grass grown to date this year is ahead of 2021, with a similar number of bales in the yard. Silage ground is closed for second cut silage.

Management of 2022 oversown paddocks: As above

Jim White, Co. Tipperary - 14-06-22

Management of existing grass- clover swards for the summer: I’m putting out protected urea at 10u N/ac on paddocks oversown with clover last year. The contractor is coming twice per month now and doing half the farm each time, one half is lower rate for clover. Currently on a 19 rotation and pregrazing yield from the PastureBase Farm Summary Report is 1268 kgDM/ha. I have fertiliser up to date on PastureBase also showing total 121Kg N/ha (97u N/ac) applied across the farm, including slurry, with 4.3 grazings per paddock with 5.5 T DM/ha grown across the farm.

Management of 2022 oversown paddocks: Clover is flying it with heat and rain. But there is a bit of compromise on grass-clover swards in first year of establishment. Cows work hard to get grass into them when they are going into lighter covers 800-1000 kgDM/ha for clover establishment. I make sure that they go into covers 1,300-1,400 kgDM/ha at night so they’re eating enough. I wouldn’t let them into those light covers for two grazings in a row. These paddocks are getting 10-15u N/ac every rotation.

Jim’s Top Tip: Clover plants can be walked on by cows and it won’t bother them - but they need light – so grazing light covers is key. There’s great satisfaction in walking the farm and getting down and opening back the sward and watching the clover grow. When I’m looking at the clover, I’m keeping an eye on my investment!

The Clover Reporter

Name: Kevin Moran
Location: Caherlistrane Co. Galway
Enterprise: Dairy Farming
Soil Type: mix of free draining and clayey type soils

% Farm In Clover: 50 % 53 (ha)
% From Reseeding: 0 % (ha)
% From Oversowing: 50% 53 (ha)
Clover content 2021: 25 - 30% on 25ha

Management of existing grass- clover swards for the summer

Clover paddocks that were oversown last year and have a high clover content, 25% or more are receiving 9kgs/N/Ha per month all summer. I found covers were looking very depleted, yellow and purple. I applied some sulphur with the last N application and am delighted with the immediate response although I am unsure was it the sulphur or increase in temperature that has helped.

Management of 2022 oversown paddocks

These paddocks are receiving 18 units of N/acre after each grazing as are non - clover paddocks. The freshly oversown paddocks are getting grazed at 1100 Kg DM/Ha and drip fed some P and K via lagoon slurry or 18-6-12

Management of 2022 reseeded paddocks

I have 3 paddocks identified to reseed. They were sprayed off with glyphosate last week and are being cut for silage now. They will be reseeded immediately after cutting

William Dennehy, Co. Kerry - 31-5-22

Clover Management for Existing Swards: Grazing at 13-1400 Kg DM/ha. They are powering ahead with more clover in them each rotation. One paddock I took out and baled as I had too much surplus and the clover is flying back. They are receiving little N at the minute as clover seems to be doing its job they are growing very well in the current conditions. They got some parlour washings and they are getting their P and K requirement.

Clover Management for new swards: I oversowed half and reseeded the other half. I’m consistently grazing them at covers of 1000 KgDM/ha. They are getting 8u N/ac each round.

What % Grazing Block: 10% (3.2ha)
Why These Paddocks: They are open swards, both drier paddocks with good access in the spring.
Soil Fertility Status: One paddock is borderline Index 3 for P, so got some extra P fertiliser. The rest is at optimum. The reseed got 2T lime/ac.
Clover varieties: Chieftain (medium leaf), Coolfin (small leaf)
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2kg/ac for oversowing, 1.5Kg for reseeding
Method for 2022: Oversowing- Einboch, Reseeding – disc and harrow with seeder
Top Tip for Clover in May: I hear a lot of farmers oversowing big areas of their farms with clover this year. I believe do a smaller area and do it right. This means grazing these covers at 1000 KgDM/ha for the first summer. This is extremely hard to do on a big area.

Ger Pardy, Co. Offaly - 24-05-2022

Location: Birr, Co. Offaly
Enterprise: Dairy
Soil Type: Dry & Clay soils
% Farm In Clover: 100% (78ha) – (>60% enough to reduce N)
% From Reseeding: 10% (8ha)
% From Oversowing: 90% (70ha)
Clover content 2021: 23% on best. 12% on remainder
Clover Plan for 2022

Clover Management for Existing Swards: 60% of the farm has clover content >20%, which so far this year has received 20u N/ac plus 4,000 gal/ac of watery slurry. With good growth it received no chemical N this rotation. These paddocks last year grew around 13.5 T DM/ha on 55u N/ac chemical fertiliser plus some slurry. If I feel they need fertiliser N I will apply it, my main priority is to feed the cows.

Clover Management for new swards: This year’s oversown paddocks got a great strike with the rain we got. Cows are grazing normal covers at night and the oversown clover paddocks by day at around 800 KgDM/ha. This is the second grazing on these paddocks since oversowing. They got 0.5 bag/ac of 0-10-20 and no chemical N since sowing as grass growth rates have been extremely high, and I want to give clover a chance to establish. Once grass growth comes back to normal I will apply some N fertiliser.
What % Grazing Block: 15% oversown and 7% reseeded
Why These Paddocks: Had no clover
Soil Fertility Status: Index 3 & 4 for P & K, and they are OK for lime too
When: Started oversowing the end of March and finished the 20^th April
Clover varieties: Buddy and Crusader (both medium leaf size)
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2 kg/ac - oversown, 2 kg/ac white clover + 2kg red clover - reseed
Method for 2022: Reseed – Plough & till (needed to level paddock), Oversow - Einboch

Top Tip for Clover in May: I know all farmers should be out anyway, but for clover you really have to be out in the paddocks measuring them to see what way growth is going and getting a visual of what’s happening. I’m responding with fertiliser rates depending on the conditions, if it needs it, it gets it, if I can get away without it, all the better. My first priority is still to feed my cows.

Peter Doyle, Teagasc Grange - 17-05-22

Name: Peter Doyle
Location: Derrypatrick Herd, Teagasc Grange, Co. Meath
Enterprise: Suckler calf-to-beef
Soil Type: Brown earth
% Farm In Clover: 50% grass-clover (32 ha) (other 50 % is grass only for trial purposes)
% From Reseeding: 53% (17 ha)
% From Oversowing: 47% (15 ha)
Clover content 2021: 10%
Clover Plan for 2022

Clover Management for Existing Swards: Reducing nitrogen application on these swards to a half rate (9 kg N/ha). Grazing in dry conditions where possible and graze them to 4 cm to encourage light penetration.
Clover Management for new swards: Regarding this year’s stitched in paddocks, the clover seed is germinating relatively quickly, with cotyledons appearing within less than a week of sowing, due to ideal weather conditions. No chemical N has been applied on these paddocks since oversown. We were fortunate that all oversown paddocks received adequate rain. Paddocks are being grazed during dry conditions at lower covers (800 kg DM/ha/day).
What % Grazing Block: Up to mid-May, 12 ha (20 % of the farm) has been stitched in this year and a further 12 ha has been reseeded. The remaining planned areas will be stitched by the end of May.
Why These Paddocks: The stitched in paddocks were chosen as they had low weed infestation and low clover content in them. Soil fertility is also suitable in these paddocks for clover. The reseeding paddocks were chosen as productivity was poor (not reseeded in the last 12 years) compared to other paddocks and we wanted to successfully establish red clover in our silage ground.
Soil Fertility Status: pH 6.4, P – index 3 & 4, K index - 3 & 4.
When: Reseeding occurred the start of May. Weather and soil conditions were excellent. Oversown began on 13^th April and will finish by the end of May.
Clover varieties: Chieftain (medium leaf) and coolfin (small leaf)
Seeding Rate/Ac: 5 kg/ha (reseed) and 6 kg/ha (oversown)
Method for 2022: Reseed - power harrow x 2, sow, roll; Oversow - Einbock and roll, did not apply water slurry due to frequent rain showers.
Top Tip for Clover in May: Regarding clover that was oversown this spring, the aim is to:

Avoid grazing in wet conditions to avoid damaging emerging clover.
Monitor grazing events to avoid damaging/removing clover from the soil as cattle graze out the lower sward horizon.
Graze at a lower cover (800 kg DM/ha/day) to avoid the grass smothering out the emerging clover. Need to keep a close eye on this when grass growth is high in May.

Brian McCarthy Teagasc Clonakilty, Co. Cork

10-5-2022

Clover Plan for 2022

Clover Management for Existing Swards: Reduce nitrogen to 10 units/acre after grazing on clover paddocks and keep pre-grazing yields to 1,400 to 1,500 kg DM/ha. This will help us to graze down to 4 cm to allow light to the base of the sward.

Clover Management for new swards:
What % Grazing Block: 5% will be reseeded this week and another 5% will be reseeded in 2 week’s time. We will oversow 10% of the farm in the next week.
Why These Paddocks: The paddocks we are reseeding had a low clover content in them and the perennial ryegrass content was also low with a lot of weed grasses in the swards. They were poor performing paddocks. The paddocks we will oversow have some clover in them but we need to increase the clover content in them. Soil fertility is good in these paddocks and the swards aren’t too dense.

Soil Fertility Status: Reseeded paddocks pH - 6.4, P – Index 4, K - Index 3, oversown paddocks pH - 6.6, P – Index 4, K - Index 4
When: Reseeding - the next two weeks, oversowing – in the next week
Clover varieties: Chieftain (medium leaf size) and Crusader (medium leaf size)
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2 kg/ac - oversown, 2 kg/ac - reseed
Method for 2022: Reseed – discing, power-harrow and sow, Oversow – broadcast with fertiliser spreader and a bag of 0-10-20/acre.

Top Tip for Clover in May:

Keep pre-grazing yields low and graze to 4 cm. Reduce nitrogen to a half rate on paddocks that have some clover in them to help increase clover content.

Lawrence Sexton

Name: Lawrence Sexton
Location: Kilbrittain, West Cork
Enterprise: Dairy
Soil Type: Dry – Free Draining
% Farm In Clover: 70% (90ha)
% From Reseeding: 45% (40ha)
% From Oversowing: 55% (50ha)
Clover content 2021: 15.5% on 90ha

Clover Plan for 2022
Clover Management for Existing Swards: The clover looks great on the farm at the minute. We are keeping pregrazing yields to a max. of 1300 KgDM/ha and grazing as tight as possible to leave light into the base of the clover plant.

What % Grazing Block: 18% oversown two weeks ago and 8% reseeded two weeks ago
Why These Paddocks: Oversown - grass was good in these paddocks along being high in pH, P and K. Reseeded paddocks – poor performers in annual tonnage report
Clover varieties: Crusader (medium leaf), Buddy (medium leaf)
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2.0 kg/ac - oversown, 1.5 kg/ac - reseed
Method for 2022: Reseed – One-pass, Oversow - Einboch

Top Tip for Clover in May: Keep pre grazing max 1300 KgDM/ha on clover paddocks. If oversowing, ensure moisture is available in the ground and rain is forecast. Reducing chemical N to 13u N/acre per round and this should get the clover working for me.

Name: Trevor Boland
Location: Sligo
Enterprise: Suckler/Beef
Soil Type: Clay
% Farm In Clover: 25% (ha)
% From Reseeding: 0% (ha)
% From Oversowing: 100% (ha)
Clover varieties: (leaf size) Buddy & Chieftain
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2kg/ac - oversown,
Methods Used: Oversown on grazing ground after cattle grazed paddock.

Clover Plan for 2022

Clover Management for Existing Swards: Going in to graze at 10cm and graze down to 4cm in two or three days. Aiming to get a tight grazing in this round to ensure quality grass available in the next round of grazing.

Clover Management for new swards: Repeat what worked last year. Oversow with clover after grazing and reduce nitrogen for the rest of the year. Ensure good grazing management, three week rotation and not too heavy a cover on paddocks pre grazing.
What % Grazing Block: 75% (25ha)
Why These Paddocks: Aiming to reduce fertiliser use and get maximum weight gain on bulls grazing these paddocks

Paddock Soil Fertility: pH - 6.3, P – Index 2 or 3, K- Index 3 or 4
When: April when conditions right (temperature and moisture)
Clover varieties: Buddy and Chieftain (medium leaf sizes)
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2 kg/ac - oversown
Method for 2022: Oversow
Trevor Top Tip for Clover in April: Graze paddocks down tight and follow with clover by oversowing. Half rate nitrogen so as not to let the grass get too strong ahead of the clover. Maintain grazing management, ensure paddock are correct size to ensure 2-3 days grazing in each paddock.

Current Grass Situation

"I have an AFC of 514 Kg DM/Ha currently, with about 13 days grass ahead. It is a little bit tight for my liking but warmer weather is expected towards the weekend so I should be ok. In anticipation of warmer weather, I am spreading 2 bags per acre of 18.6.12. These paddocks had recieved 23 units of UREA in early March. Growth is 45 Kg DM/Ha and Demand is 39 Kg Dm/Ha"

Name: Jim White
Location: Clonmel, Co.Tipperary
Enterprise: Dairy
Soil Type: Dry Soils
% Farm In Clover: 32% (21.4ha)
% From Reseeding: 49% (10.4ha)
% From Oversowing: 51% (11ha)
Clover content 2021: 18% on 21.4ha

Clover Plan for 2022

Clover Management for Existing Swards: Grazing them at the right covers around 1200-1400 Kg DM/ha is the key thing now. It’s easy to say it, but doing it every day on the ground is the challenge. The plan is to reduce fertiliser use on these paddocks in the summer.
Clover Management for new swards: The paddocks I am oversowing with clover this year are all beside each other in one block. This makes it easier for grazing and fertiliser management throughout the year.
What % Grazing Block: 16% (11ha)
Why These Paddocks: Good soil fertility, in one block, open swards, no weed burden
Paddock Soil Fertility: pH - 6.6, P – Index 4, K- Index 3
When: April when conditions right (temperature and moisture)
Clover varieties: Buddy and Chieftain (medium leaf sizes)
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2 kg/ac - oversown
Method for 2022: Oversow - Mooredrill
Jim’s Top Tip for Clover in April: Having identified paddocks to oversow with clover, the plan is to graze them twice before oversowing. I do this because now I have two chances to get the cows to clean them out really well. This is essential to open the sward for soil-seed contact for the clover seed to establish and give it space and light to get going.

Jim is hosting a Clover Farm Walk on his farm this Thursday 7th April. For more info go to www.teagasc.ie/cloverwalks

Name: Kevin Moran
Location: CAHERLISTRANE, GALWAY
Enterprise: DAIRY
Soil Type: MIX OF FREE DARINING AND CLAYEY TYPE SOIL
% Farm In Clover: 30% (28ha)
% From Reseeding: 0%
% From Oversowing: 100% 28(ha)
Clover content 2021: 25-30% on 25ha
Clover Management for new swards: These paddocks that I am going oversowing clover into were limed last Septmeber and will be oversown after their 2nd grazing & given 2000 gallons/ac of lagoon slurry and some more P & K in subsequent grazings. I graze the area that was oversown at 1000 - 1100 Kg DM/Ha for 4-5 grazings after and avoid poaching at all costs.
What % Grazing Block: 15% (14Ha)
Why These Paddocks: These paddocks have good soil fertility, close to the parlour and very rarely have silage cut off them.
Soil Fertility Status: pH - 7, P – Index 4, K- Index 4
When: Mid-April
Clover varieties: Buddy (medium leaf), Crusader (medium leaf), Coolfin (small leaf)
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2kg/ac - oversown, 1kg/ac - reseed
Top Tip for Clover in April:
For established swards, I begin to go with half rate Nitrogen applications from the end of April. For freshly oversown swards, the key is to graze the sward at 1000 - 1100 kg DM/Ha and feed the plant with P & K to develop clover

Name: William Dennehy
Location: Currow, Castleisland, Co. Kerry
Soil Type: Medium Soils in a High rainfall area
% Farm in Clover: 36% (11.89 Ha)
% from Reseeding: 33% (3.9Ha)
% from Oversowing: 67% (7.99Ha)
Clover content 2021: 17%
Clover Varieties: Buddy (medium Leaf Size), Chieftain (medium Leaf Size) and Coolfin (Small Leaf size)
Seeding Rate/ac: 5 Kg/ac on oversown swards, and 2 Kg/Ac on full reseed
Methods used: Oversown - Einbock air-seeder, and Full Reseed - one pass
Why Clover? I’m trying to reduce the chemical N use on farm, we started from an environmental point of view buts it’s now on a price issue as well.
1^St rotation Management: I’m just on 50% of the farm grazed and all the clover ground has been grazed, I had very strong overwinter growth and the opening cover here was over 1100Kg’s of DM/Ha, the Clover covers were a little higher than I would have liked but I’ll try to graze these at 1200 covers in the next rotation to keep light down to the base. The first two weeks of March were difficult grazing conditions here, but I got through this with on/off grazing and good infrastructure.
William’s Top Tip for Clover: In a high rainfall area multiple access points to paddocks have helped to prevent damage to these clover paddocks in a difficult early March. Also the PH and P and K indexes must be right to help the clover to establish. Topping up the K before the end of the grazing season has really helped the clover here. The farm is walked here every 5 days in main season and decisions made using Pasturebase.

William is hosting a clover walk on his farm on April 5th for more info go to www.teagasc.ie/cloverwalks

Name: Ger Pardy

Location: Birr, Co. Offaly
Enterprise: Dairy
Soil Type: Dry & Clay soils
% Farm In Clover: 100% (78ha) – (35% have enough to reduce N)
% From Reseeding: 10% (8ha)
% From Oversowing: 90% (70ha)
Clover content 2021: 23% on best. 12% on remainder
Clover varieties: Nearly all Buddy (medium leaf size)
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2 kg/ac – oversown in April, 2 kg/ac - reseed
Methods Used: Oversow – Einboch, Reseed – plough and till
Why Clover?: “I visited Clonakilty at the beginning of their clover trials about 10 years ago with my discussion group. They were talking about gaining an extra 30 kgMS per cow from clover swards. I thought if I could get half that benefit it would be a good boost. The fertiliser saving now is an added bonus!”
1st Rotation Management: High clover swards grazed late to have light covers over winter, these are grazed earlier in the spring. They’ve got 2000 gal/ac LESS slurry at the end of January. And are getting 10u/ac this week. They will get a further 2000 gal slurry/ac in next 2-3weeks. And that’s it for chemical N for these high clover paddocks for the year.
Ger's Top Tip For Clover:
1. Don’t do too big an area, 10-15% would be loads, to graze covers at 1100 KgDM/ha on a large area is near impossible
2. April is best month for oversowing – sward is open, moisture in the ground, soil –seed contact crucial.

Trevor Boland

Name: Trevor Boland
Location: Sligo
Enterprise: Suckler/Beef
Soil Type: Clay
% Farm In Clover: 25% (ha)
% From Reseeding: 0% (ha)
% From Oversowing: 100% (ha)
Clover content 2021: 0% on ha
Clover varieties: (leaf size) Buddy & Chieftian
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2kg/ac - oversown, kg/ac - reseed
Methods Used: Reseed - , Oversow – Oversown on grazing ground after cattle grazed paddock.
Why Clover?: Interested in seeing the results and potential cost savings from reduced nitrogen use.
1st Rotation Management: Try to not let grass get too heavy and give the clover a chance to establish.
Trevor Top Tip For Clover: Clover needs to be sown early in the summer, late April or early May.

Find out what our previously profiled farmers had to say about clover

Laurence Sexton | Peter Doyle | Kevin Moran | Brian McCarthy | Jim White

Laurence Sexton

Name: Laurence Sexton
Location: Kilbrittain, West Cork
Enterprise: Dairy
Soil Type: Dry – Free Draining
% Farm In Clover: 70% (90ha)
% From Reseeding: 45% (40ha)
% From Oversowing: 55% (50ha)
Clover content 2021: 15.5% on 90ha
Clover varieties: Cheiftain, Buddy, Aberhearld (medium leaf) and Coolfin (small leaf)
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2.5kg/ac - oversown, 1.5 kg/ac - reseed
Methods Used: Oversow – Einbock and Broadcast, Reseed - One-pass
Why Clover?: White clover is a way to reduce artificial nitrogen thus reducing costs. During the summer of 2021 a saving of 50 units of N/acre was achieved and hopes to save more in 2022
1st Rotation Management: Grazed high clover paddocks first to leave light down to the base to give the clover plant the best possible chance to start growing.
Laurence's Top Tip For Clover: Lime, Lime and more Lime followed closely by phosphorus and potassium. Having the right soil fertility is key to getting clover on any farm. Poor soil fertility is a recipe for disaster.

Peter Doyle

Clover varieties: Crusader and Chieftain (medium leaf size)
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2.5 kg/ac - oversown, 1.5 kg/ac - reseed
Methods Used: Reseed - Onepass, Oversow - Einbock
Why Clover?: This year a grass-only vs. grass-clover system experiment is being set up to quantify the benefits of red and white clover in suckler-to-beef systems.
1st Rotation Management: Identifying suitable paddocks, seed mixtures and soil nutrient requirements to reseed and oversow with clover this April.
Peter's Top Tip For Clover: The farm’s aim this year is to build-up clover content on the farm. Huge emphasis will be placed on optimising soil fertility and grazing out tightly to ensure optimal establishment of the stitched in clover.

Kevin Moran

Name: Kevin Moran
Location: Caherlistrane, Co. Galway
Enterprise: Dairy Farming
Soil Type: mix of free draining and clayey type soils
% Farm In Clover: 30 % 28 (ha)
% From Reseeding: 0 % (ha)
% From Oversowing: 100% 30(ha)
Clover content 2021: 25-30% on 25 ha
Clover varieties: Buddy (medium leaf size), Chieftain (medium leaf size), & Coolfin (small leaf size)
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2kg/ac - oversown,
Methods Used: Oversow – Eindbock and fertiliser spreader for quad
Why Clover?: It reduces the farms fertiliser bills, reduces the farms carbon footprint and increases output from higher milk sales
1st Rotation Management: Aim not to carry over high covers on high clover paddocks over winter. Clover paddocks are being grazed with freshly calved cows now and throughout March. We have installed good access infrastructure in all clover paddocks to minimise poaching.
Kevin’s Top Tip For Clover: Oversowing can be very unforgiving with little space for error. Do not try to do too much area at once, do a small amount and get it right in terms of soil fertility, early over sowing, no poaching, graze at 1000-1100 Kg DM/Ha Pre Grazing Yield for 4 to 5 rotations after sowing.

Brian McCarthy

Name: Brian McCarthy
Location: Clonakilty Agricultural College, Clonakilty, Co. Cork
Enterprise: Dairy
Soil Type: Predominantly light loam soils
% Farm In Clover: 37% (31 ha; half of the research area is grass-only for experimental purposes)
% From Reseeding: 90% (28 ha)
% From Oversowing: 10% (3 ha)
Clover content 2021: 20% on 31 ha
Clover varieties: Chieftain (medium leaf size), Crusader (medium leaf size), Buddy (medium leaf size), Coolfin (small leaf size)
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2 kg/ac - oversown, 2 kg/ac - reseed
Methods Used: Reseed – discing and onepass, Oversow – broadcast with fertiliser spreader and mix clover seed with 0-10-20.
Why Clover?: We have been undertaking research into white clover since 2012 and have seen the positive effect of clover on grass production and animal performance along with the potential to reduce nitrogen fertiliser use. We see it as one of the main components to improving the sustainability of dairy farming.
1st Rotation Management: Follow the spring rotation planner and graze down tight to 3.5 – 4.0 cm to allow light to the base of the sward.
Brian's Top Tip For Clover: Good grazing management is essential to help maintain clover in the sward but being proactive and oversowing paddocks with clover in April every year will also be important to maintain good clover in the sward.

Jim White

1st Feb Newsletter Name: Jim White
Location: Clonmel, Co.Tipperary
Enterprise: Dairy
Soil Type: Dry Soils
% Farm In Clover: 32% (21.4ha)
% From Reseeding: 49% (10.4ha)
% From Oversowing: 51% (11ha)
Clover content 2021: 18% on 21.4ha
Clover varieties: Buddy (medium leaf size), Chieftain (medium leaf size), & Coolfin (small leaf size)
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2.5 kg/ac - oversown, 2 kg/ac - reseed
Methods Used: Reseed - One pass, Oversow - Mooredrill
Why Clover?: Sees clover as a sustainable option for the future and it needs to be exploited to its full potential.
1st Rotation Management: Currently grazing high clover content paddocks now with freshly calved cows. Cover of 1,000kg DM/ha.
Jim's Top Tip For Clover: Need to be a top class grass farmer before you can be a good grass/clover farmer. Need to be on PastureBase and measuring weekly for a few years to be able to manage clover.