Grass Clover Technology Transfer

Northern Ireland has always had a reputation of being able to grow grass. Up to now grass has been relatively easy and cheap to produce with applications of high nitrogen fertiliser giving a quick and predictable response.

This has changed since the large increase in fertiliser prices – particularly the nitrogen content which has risen by 82% in the past 2 years.

The value of adding clover to grass swards has been appreciated for many years. The aim is to allow the clover to provide much of the nitrogen needed by the sward thus saving on the cost of purchased nitrogen. On livestock farms clover rich grass swards are capable of producing the equivalent of a similar grass sward sown with 150 kg per hectare of nitrogenous fertiliser. In addition clover swards lose quality more slowly than grass swards thereby increasing herbage intakes which can lead to 10% higher liveweight gains in cattle, 20% higher liveweight gains in lambs and 5% improvement in milk yields. Beef and sheep farms can expect savings of £100/ha on a gross margin basis per year through effective sward management.

Whilst some farmers, particularly in the organic sector, have adopted clover technology very successfully many more can potentially benefit. A high level of skill is needed to establish and maintain a significant clover content in swards over a period of years.

To help with establishment and management of clover on commercial livestock farms C.A.F.R.E. is planning to launch a new technology project which assesses the benefits of using grass/clover systems on farm.

This project will assist local groups of farmers who wish to work closely with a

Technology Monitor farm in their area.  This Technology Monitor farmer will be a grass clover enthusiast who will agree to develop and demonstrate clover based systems and be willing to illustrate the results to the local group.

If you are a livestock farmer interested in taking part in this project - either as a member of a local group or as a Technology Monitor farm - please contact Rebecca Coalter at CAFRE admin (telephone no. 02894 426771). Farmers who express an interest will be invited to a group discussion on this project in the near future.