Can you have too much clover ?

neilo · Sep 8, 2020

jondear said:
All grass has gone nuts .Just shows what 6 inches of rain does in August!

It certainly makes you realise how easy our Northern contributors have it, where they don’t get dry summers to slow the grass growth.
Just imagine farming livestock where the grass grew like it is currently, but all year. Must be hard knowing what do with all the grass.

Jerry · Sep 8, 2020

neilo said:
It certainly makes you realise how easy our Northern contributors have it, where they don’t get dry summers to slow the grass growth.
Just imagine farming livestock where the grass grew like it is currently, but all year. Must be hard knowing what do with all the grass.

Weighed a last few tail end lambs this afternoon.

These are all misfits and odds and sods.

2 weeks ago they were struggling to make 38 to - 40 kg.

Today I picked out this lot at 44kg average.

just had grass.....

could be best paying lambs given price at moment

lady muck · Sep 9, 2020

neilo said:
It certainly makes you realise how easy our Northern contributors have it, where they don’t get dry summers to slow the grass growth.
Just imagine farming livestock where the grass grew like it is currently, but all year. Must be hard knowing what do with all the grass.

Yes we northerners can grow grass it’s just that it’s so wet we struggle to graze it. Be careful for what you wish for. Grazing paddocks pictured after the serious amount of rain we had recently. Thank goodness for cow tracks.

multi power · Sep 9, 2020

neilo said:
It certainly makes you realise how easy our Northern contributors have it, where they don’t get dry summers to slow the grass growth.
Just imagine farming livestock where the grass grew like it is currently, but all year. Must be hard knowing what do with all the grass.

But they don't have sunshine, I think I'd rather have a bit of sun

Al R · Sep 9, 2020

neilo said:
It certainly makes you realise how easy our Northern contributors have it, where they don’t get dry summers to slow the grass growth.
Just imagine farming livestock where the grass grew like it is currently, but all year. Must be hard knowing what do with all the grass.

What’s the last 3 days been like further inland? We’ve had rain or drizzle. Grass is really motoring now, certainly making up for nothing growing in April and May. I’ve got 1 block of land with almost 9 ewes/acre since weaning and I’m piling more stock in as the ewes won’t get to it for months otherwise. Fields are going stale not short.

Sid · Sep 9, 2020

Took a cut of grass off field in September once.
Extremely heavy with clover, came back with over 20 Crude protein. Bales were black inside and the cows loved them.

We have a clover and grass explosion everywhere at the moment.

The issue I have is the misty drizzle we are getting day after day. Makes paddock grazing a challenge due to bloat risk, and ensiliing the excess impossible!

steveR · Sep 9, 2020

Al R said:
What’s the last 3 days been like further inland? We’ve had rain or drizzle. Grass is really motoring now, certainly making up for nothing growing in April and May. I’ve got 1 block of land with almost 9 ewes/acre since weaning and I’m piling more stock in as the ewes won’t get to it for months otherwise. Fields are going stale not short.

Just over the Border has been dry since last week... Silaged 5ha on Sunday morning, a decent crop at last...

Got some rubbish on the floor that is drying nicely and will be baled as haylage tomorrow.

Chatting with my "sheep man" yesterday from near Mach, and he said it had been raining all day! Bunch of his EC ewes on the way for flushing today.

Sid · Sep 9, 2020

Three different fields.
This one being down to grass for over 50 years.

Western seeds mix sown last autumn

Cocksfoot and Timothy mix on drier land.

5 year old ley

I think I have enough clover!

Had a load of lime spread last night on 2 fields.
Both 5.9ph
2t/ac glendennings

som farmer · Sep 9, 2020

when we made for the horse mkt, clover was a no-no, spent ages trying to get shot, actually very hard to do, now trying to get it back everywhere, double cost ! But, it was suprising how it came back, after non clover sprays.

Danllan · Sep 9, 2020

silverfox said:
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.

I have a field, the name of which translates as 'Clover Field', and it's hardly got any clover at all... so your problem can be solved.

If you're careful who goes on to it and when, I can't see a problem with lots of clover; but I'll admit I've not seen as much as that before.

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

Told by Mrs cotswoldcs?

Bossfarmer · Sep 9, 2020

Sid said:
Took a cut of grass off field in September once.
Extremely heavy with clover, came back with over 20 Crude protein. Bales were black inside and the cows loved them.

We have a clover and grass explosion everywhere at the moment.

The issue I have is the misty drizzle we are getting day after day. Makes paddock grazing a challenge due to bloat risk, and ensiliing the excess impossible!

how do you manage bloat in your cattle is it a case of inspecting them each day to make sure none are lying gassed up/

Sid · Sep 9, 2020

Bossfarmer said:
how do you manage bloat in your cattle is it a case of inspecting them each day to make sure none are lying gassed up/

Not letting them go into anywhere hungry.

Drench if worried with veg oil.

Dairy cows would be biggest risk. Young stock set stocked so no issue

Kiwi Pete · Sep 9, 2020

Bossfarmer said:
how do you manage bloat in your cattle is it a case of inspecting them each day to make sure none are lying gassed up/

Check them shortly after turning them into it

Don't let them get hungry and then gorge themselves silly; little and more often is better as they are constantly processing the same diet, rather than clover for a day and grass for the next 5

If you catch an obviously blown cow then a bottle of beer as a drench or fizzy drink, the fizz collapses the froth in their rumen as well as oils do, or let them onto a hill so they can stand uphill to help them get gas from under the froth layer

and yes you can have too much clover, it is a carbon-hungry plant and can lead to compaction if you just grow legumes and nart else

Derrick Hughes · Sep 9, 2020

We used to graze grass at night and clover fields in daytime

Cowabunga · Sep 9, 2020

stablegirl said:
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!

I agree entirely. Besides which my cows don't like it and at certain times of the year just will not eat it. Doesn't yield well either. In fact I've had it smother the grass totally where clover becomes over vigorous .

Derrick Hughes · Sep 9, 2020

Cowabunga said:
I agree entirely. Besides which my cows don't like it and at certain times of the year just will not eat it.

Blo ody Holstiens . Why import a corn fed goat it to the best Grass growing Nation in the world
My British F thrived on clover
We to had a field called Clover [emoji256]

Cowabunga · Sep 9, 2020

Derrick Hughes said:
Blo ody Holstiens . Why import a corn fed goat it to the best Grass growing Nation in the world
My British F thrived on clover
We to had a field called Clover [emoji256]

Mine thrive on grass. Yours are long gone.

som farmer · Sep 9, 2020

wonder how much clover was in our pasture, 100 years ago ? The benefits were well known, as it was included in rotations, for fertility etc. Now, the wheel has turned nearly full circle, and we are growing clover, use of dung, and rotations, are all happening again ! 100 years ago, the investment in machinery, was minimal, big difference.

Derrick Hughes · Sep 9, 2020

Cowabunga said:
Mine thrive on grass. Yours are long gone.

You said they turn their noses up at clover . My breed is still flouting around somewhere
Genes live on

Cowabunga · Sep 9, 2020

Derrick Hughes said:
You said they turn their noses up at clover .

They did when I had a lot of clover in many fields. I still sow it occasionally on the odd year that I do reseed. Bit of a waste of money if I have to spray any docks off, which is another point against worrying too much about clover.
Yes, I've had clover completely smother and kill what was meant to be a grass sward before now. You can keep your clover as far as I'm concerned.

Its great for sheep and less intensive systems but not for me currently. It doesn't work. Who knows, if I change enterprises in future it might become worthwhile.

Can you have too much clover ?

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