Assessing clover content on a Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farm

Sandra Hayes, co-ordinator of the Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farm Programme, outlines the progress Shay Ryan has made on establishing clover on his farm near New Ross, Co. Wexford, in the most recent Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farm Update.

Last week on the farm of Shay Ryan, we concentrated on completing a second clover score for the milking platform. The one completed in April of this year showed that 48% of the milking platform had either a low, medium or high clover content. This figure has now rose to 62% on the same area and this has been achieved through reseeding paddocks and grazing management.

By entering paddocks with a low clover content at a lower cover, it allows in more light to the base of the sward, thus allowing more clover to grow. Concentrating on fertiliser applications of phosphorous and potassium – while reducing nitrogen spread on these paddocks – has also helped.

After grass measuring last week, Shay is taking out a paddock for bales. This is being done to ensure that this ground is back in for building autumn covers. A plan was also devised for the last round of fertiliser, which will take place by the end of August. Shay knows that the earlier the application, the better the response. He has very little slurry to be spread so that is accounted for plus the dairy washings for the last round of nutrients. Remember all slurry has to be spread by the end of September, as the closed period begins 1^st of October.

Table 1: Grassland performance on the Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farms

To find out more about the Teagasc/Tirlán Future Farms, click here.

For more information on the role of white clover and how to score the clover content of your farm, click here.