Crimson clover?? Grazing??

Jerry said:

Yet to speak to the guy about what he wants. All I know is he was planning on topping it before the next crop. He just wants fertility built.

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I turned 250 ewes with singles into an 8ac field that was similar, but perhaps not as far on, about a month ago, to try to take the top off it. They trampled a good bit down, but was surprised how much they did eat in the course of a week. They’d have cleared it good enough to cultivate in another week I think.
I took the sheep off before then, and the RC is now shooting from the crown, and also from many of the nodes on the trampled stems. I’m currently trying to resist the temptation to put lambs back on it too soon.

Bury the Trash said:

they will be fine you worry too much ,looks good keep especially atm and did you see/hear the Red Arrows again today ?

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Red Arrows weren’t far away, tail Enders flew over the house and you could see them in the distance. Couldn’t face driving into Falmouth to see them closer.

neilo said:

FFS, you’ll be telling us next that the fella wants it grazed for free as well.

How many acres of it are there, and how soon does it need clearing?

I’d stick anything on it for a while tbh, but be wary of having breeding ewes on it for too long.
If you have enough store lambs, I’d let them into the lot and let them trample what they don’t eat. It’s not wasted if it’s returned to the soil. Store lambs will fatten on it like they’re on ad-Lib concentrates, so fill your boots.

As for strip grazing it…
1. How do you actually put a reliable fence up through that?
2. If you hold them on the first block, the rest is getting even further out of control/less digestible.

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For me, I mow a small strip (18") for temp fencing when needed. Red Clover in flower is tall enough for me to make those cuts. You would be better off to make long shallow cuts. Just deep enough for the length of the forager.

I believe in any modern (last 20 years) of any cultivar of Red Clover you will find that it holds its nutritional value for at least 60 days past flower. At least that has been my experience with testing it at various stages throughout its multiyear life cycle.

@Jerry

Red Clover is excellent food and if your critters are not legume naive, they should be fine all in. At least I know my sheep would be. I do this every year. If you want drop some palatable hay in the set every three or four days to start. But only if you are worried about bloat. You could also use some other type of bloat protection that does not require forage.

Strip grazing it would be ideal for the sheep, you and the land owner. Start at one end and work your way down. If possible use a back fence. With 200 sheep on 13 acres you should be able to repeat if you needed to.

Jerry said:

Too farm from home really fir that.

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That's a Shame ,you would have zero waste and some nice winter feed