I ve got some tack grazing of good quality after math but it's got a lot of clover in it .does anyone graze ewes on this type of mix pre tupping or is it a no no due to potential fertility problems reported by grazing ewes on clover?
Ewes in clover
- Thread starter Further a field
- Start date
- Location
- West Wales
Firstly, red or white?
secondly, crack on and be glad you have it
secondly, crack on and be glad you have it
White I think
It's a tremendous crop of grass and I m keen to make the most of it
- Location
- West Wales
White is no problem at all, if grazing pure strand red for several years continuously it is “believed” to cause problems according to a NZ study done decades ago.
I read an article this week, which appeared to suggest the danger of RC to pre-tupping ewes is overstated.
I am more likely to suffer from hunger issues in the flushing ewes!!
- Location
- West Wales
Exactly, still on full winter feeding at the moment here. I’ve tupped plenty of ewe lambs on pure strand RC and others the same time on normal WC leys and zero difference in scanning results.I read an article this week, which appeared to suggest the danger of RC to pre-tupping ewes is overstated.
I am more likely to suffer from hunger issues in the flushing ewes!!
- Location
- Ceredigion
White is no problem
The issue with research is it's an aclumative issue , builds up over time , so ewe lambs you would expect to be more of an isue if the grazed it for a few years , older ewes probably not if they had not had access to a lot at a younger age , do be honest I'm not sure where the don't graze a mating fits in with that
The issue with research is it's an aclumative issue , builds up over time , so ewe lambs you would expect to be more of an isue if the grazed it for a few years , older ewes probably not if they had not had access to a lot at a younger age , do be honest I'm not sure where the don't graze a mating fits in with that
- Location
- West Wales
Exactly it’s a cumulative issue “apparently” the longest I had ewe lambs on pure RC for was 8 weeks pre tupping until 8 weeks post. They don’t see it later on in life after that though
- Location
- Ceredigion
Weather conditions and fungal deasase can have a major effect on this , plant stress , white Clover and all legumes are not immune to this , Ibers have written a lot on the topic
- Location
- Ceredigion
Farmer-led research disproves red clover fears on sheep fertility
www.innovativefarmers.org
Can you see something flawed in this , the clue being Herbal Ley , I've not read it all mind , also I think its excepted by most that any Clover would not be a problem if it's only a portion of the ley
- Location
- West Country
It’s a big no-no. Previous replies from seed salesman will tell you what you want to hear, but I wouldn’t risk it with your own ewes…. However, don’t let it go to waste; I can send you a couple of decker fulls of sheep to utilise it - all at my risk of course. Pm me
If they turn their noses up at it I ll be in touch straight away!It’s a big no-no. Previous replies from seed salesman will tell you what you want to hear, but I wouldn’t risk it with your own ewes…. However, don’t let it go to waste; I can send you a couple of decker fulls of sheep to utilise it - all at my risk of course. Pm me
ringi
Member
When in nature or the history of sheep farming would sheep have ever been exposed to large areas of 100% red clover and selected based on doing well on 100% clover? Herbal Leys and other mixed lays are much closer to what sheep/cows have been traditionally been exposed too with many generations of selection based on outcomes.
- Location
- Ceredigion
Not many farms I know grow 100 % Clover leys and those that do would grow it mainly for cutting