Can you have too much clover ?

DRC · Sep 11, 2019

Clover grows well here, but I think it’s got a bit out of hand this year.
First pic is year 3 of a 6 year ley. Been silaged and grazed( probably too hard last year). Getting a bit docky as well, so might get put into wheat this year.
Second pic is 1st year of a 5 yr ley, sown last autumn. Had sheep last winter then has had 2 cuts. No fertiliser since, as no one wants the grass, but looks like I will have to cut it again as the tack sheep would get lost in it.

Kidds · Sep 11, 2019

I've found a dose of nitrogen sorts it out well. That's probably one of the reasons you have so much.
My orchards are mown fairly regularly and they are a carpet of clover.

DRC · Sep 11, 2019

Kidds said:
I've found a dose of nitrogen sorts it out well. That's probably one of the reasons you have so much.
My orchards are mown fairly regularly and they are a carpet of clover.

Mine have had N and pig slurry at various stages.

Northeastfarmer · Sep 11, 2019

That’s the most clover I’ve ever seen....

DRC · Sep 11, 2019

Northeastfarmer said:
That’s the most clover I’ve ever seen....

I was worried about my cattle bloating on the first field. Last year I had too many cattle in the dry year, this time the opposite .

Derrick Hughes · Sep 11, 2019

Clover is the finest forage you can get so how could you have too much . Needs some hay or straw with it though

cotswoldcs · Sep 11, 2019

I was told having too much clover is like having too much money or too much sex

Chae1 · Sep 11, 2019

cotswoldcs said:
I was told having too much clover is like having too much money or too much sex

@silverfox what's it like?

Never experienced either.

dt995 · Sep 11, 2019

Can't too much clover delay oestrus? ISTR reading that. No idea what might count as "too much" though.

dt995 · Sep 11, 2019

dt995 said:
Can't too much clover delay oestrus? ISTR reading that. No idea what might count as "too much" though.

http://beefandlamb.ahdb.org.uk/wp/w...w_fertility_review_-_final_report_20jul11.pdf

gone up the hill · Sep 11, 2019

dt995 said:
Can't too much clover delay oestrus? ISTR reading that. No idea what might count as "too much" though.

Red clover yes!

The OP has put in red clover, Red clover is only meant for short term leys ( 3 years ) and you really should be cutting it 2/3 times a year, ideally 3 times in the first year!

White clover would have been a better option for what the OP is doing!

Red clover should only be grazed lightly and with animals such as store lambs being fattened as they will do like stink on it.

jondear · Sep 11, 2019

cotswoldcs said:
I was told having too much clover is like having too much money or too much sex

What you can never have enough!

som farmer · Sep 11, 2019

yes you can have to much clover, took ages to get rid of it when we had a livery yard, now trying to get it back in for grazing dairy !!!!! Only problem, horses supergrow docks and dandelions, and clover is spray sensitive, unless you are trying to spray it out. The first regrowth after round up here, is clover !!!!

Slippery Slope · Sep 11, 2019

Just a thought but if you spray the docks it'll check/kill the clover so two jobs sorted for the price of one (providing there's some other grasses in the bottom).

RushesToo · Sep 11, 2019

Rather than spending money on getting rid of the clover, couldn't you find a way of using the nitrogen it's made and leaving it there to "rinse, repeat".
Take a cut low silage , plant something hungry, whole crop and continue?

liammogs · Sep 11, 2019

Get some tack lambs in, strip graze it? I wouldn't advise putting ewes on the red clover but lambs destined for the fat market would do well might even get two batches on it if you were to back fence!

hendrebc · Sep 11, 2019

Give it to me if you don't want it

stablegirl · Sep 11, 2019

Unpopular opinion.......

I spec grass seed without it, it either doesn't grow, or takes over, doesn't ensile fantastically, just not a fan.

Please dont hate me!

neilo · Sep 11, 2019

Some sheep would surely knock that clover back a treat. Hey, just for a friend, I wouldn’t even charge you for doing it.

I know, I know. Generous to a fault.

DRC · Sep 11, 2019

gone up the hill said:
Red clover yes!

The OP has put in red clover, Red clover is only meant for short term leys ( 3 years ) and you really should be cutting it 2/3 times a year, ideally 3 times in the first year!

White clover would have been a better option for what the OP is doing!

Red clover should only be grazed lightly and with animals such as store lambs being fattened as they will do like stink on it.

The red clover has only been grazed by tack sheep, then silaged . It’s supposed to be a 5 yr dual purpose ley from Horizon seeds .
The other field is all white clover , which was a Wynnstay medium term mix.
It’ll go into wheat this autumn, as my plan to grow grass for folks isn’t really paying

Can you have too much clover ?

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Up to 25%

25-50%

50-75%

75-100%

100% I’ve had enough of farming!

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