cutting : Red Clover

[Bury the Trash]

Hello. We have just started mowing a Red clover ley (12 months old) to hopefully make some late hay . I would like to try and help the red clover survive as long as poss. as in the past experience it has died away bit too quickly (couple of yrs) never grown too much of it though -prefer white clover for the sheep.we are not cattle. Is there a guide to cutting height ? i can feel a joint or node couple of inches or so above ground is this what i have to preserve?thanks in advance.

 

[milkloss]

No, it's the sort of Palm leaf shaped crown right near ground level although I think it depends on the variety how high it is above the ground. I always mow at least half inch above that, probably more.

Found a pic it's at A at the base of the plant. Don't cut that bit.

How do you kill it off? I've got two leys that the red clover has smothered the grass and there's hardly any grass left.

 

[Bury the Trash]

 

[Bury the Trash]

blade of the knife stuck in ground a bit but i think its about 2.5 or 3 inch stubble

 

[Great In Grass]

You need to avoid crown damage so don't cut too low, then graze autumn re-growth with your sheep very lightly. No N but top up P & K.

 

[milkloss]

You're leaving plenty stubble from what I can see. We would usually cut it just above the crown.

 

[Bounce 01]

We spread out for 24 hours to make a better quality silage.have to make sure doesn't get to dry.

 

[Bury the Trash]

You're leaving plenty stubble from what I can see. We would usually cut it just above the crown.

boys cut it and i think it might be a bit shorter than that bit in photo but seems like the tiller point is low down just above ground and thats still there .i can find that crown i think just about its not very prominent though.

 

[hilux]

Doesn't making hay with red clover ,shatter the leaf and make it no better than normal ryegrass?

 

[mushnt grummmble]

cut the stubble the length of your finger,a good 3"
i would say if its not lasting long then check the P&K

 

[milkloss]

Doesn't making hay with red clover ,shatter the leaf and make it no better than normal ryegrass?

cut the stubble the length of your finger,a good 3"
i would say if its not lasting long then check the P&K

All advice I was going to add. I would pinch a day on the hay and don't move it unless you have to or the clover will smash up.

 

[Global ovine]

Rake it when damp with dew. Bale it when leaf is still soft with dew, but the stalks are dry, same as Lucerne, or you will end up with bales of sticks.
Red clover hay can be quite tricky to make if the weather is not perfect, hence haylage is the better option usually.

 

[Bury the Trash]

From what im reading i think weve got the height just about right maybe should be a bit higher.I think the sheep grazing too hard -is the mistake ive made in the past due too heavy stocking rate. i think i should try a bit harder to get it to last -the p and k issue as well - i think in past we haven't kept this up so well and as ive read maybe this is what got us as the focus was more on grazing and im thinking 2 cuts and very respectful grazing? - additive or the like on haylage for good fermentation? -as compared to on the lucerne we didnt get very good results on that when we wrapped some fairly dry stuff- i do like to make hay though as we are geared up for that and we can do it much more cheaply ourselves -even if we do lose leaf