Red clover fermentation time?

[NorthumbrianFarmer]

Baled my 50/50 red clover and grass mix around 5 weeks ago now and was wondering how long clover needs to ferment properly or if it’s ready now? Ready to use it as soon as it’s finished fermenting

 

[TelesnaAg]

4 to 8 weeks be my guess, cut one and see what it smells like.

Ant...

 

[HarryB97]

5 weeks will be fine, I’ve fed it after 3 quite happily.

 

[NorthumbrianFarmer]

5 weeks will be fine, I’ve fed it after 3 quite happily.

What does it look like? As I’ve been told it will be black but I’ve cut into one and it just looks like normal silage.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Will you be getting it tested

 

[NorthumbrianFarmer]

Will you be getting it tested

Yeah I’m planning on getting one done

 

[HarryB97]

What does it look like? As I’ve been told it will be black but I’ve cut into one and it just looks like normal silage.

Generally it’s got a blackish tinge but is more a yellow colour overall

 

[steveR]

What does it look like? As I’ve been told it will be black but I’ve cut into one and it just looks like normal silage.

My RC and Chicory, with a hint of grass, is as black as it comes, but all the stock love it!

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Yeah I’m planning on getting one done

Be interested to see that if you dont mind , will be testings mine end of next Month

 

[HarryB97]

Be interested to see that if you dont mind , will be testings mine end of next Month

This is our second cut this year, Havnt tested our first cut yet.

 

[NorthumbrianFarmer]

My RC and Chicory, with a hint of grass, is as black as it comes, but all the stock love it!

Just opened a red clover and grass bale that’s what it looks like unsure if it’s right or not

 

[steveR]

Just opened a red clover and grass bale that’s what it looks like unsure if it’s right or not View attachment 1139793

No chicory I guess, not black enough!

Stock will soon let you know

 

[NorthumbrianFarmer]

No chicory I guess, not black enough!

Stock will soon let you know

Thinking about doing some chicory and white clover to give to pregnant ewes to reduce concentrate bill pre lambing not sure how well it will work

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Thanks

Thinking about doing some chicory and white clover to give to pregnant ewes to reduce concentrate bill pre lambing not sure how well it will work

If you cut chicory dont wilt it to long or it will disapear
A lot use Red mind , will yield a lot more

 

[NorthumbrianFarmer]

Thanks

If you cut chicory dont wilt it to long or it will disapear
A lot use Red mind , will yield a lot more

If want to use red but isn’t it bad for ewes? You have to cut chicory quite regularly too don’t you? Or it goes stalky

 

[ollie989898]

That looks good. The stock will eat that with gusto, you wait.

 

[Derrick Hughes]

If want to use red but isn’t it bad for ewes? You have to cut chicory quite regularly too don’t you? Or it goes stalky

Mine gets cut as normal with the grass 3 to 4 times a year , its advisable not to feed pure red clover leys 6 weeks either side of tupping ,but i know plenty of proffesional farmers who feed pure Red Clover Silage over the winter with no concern , but thus would not be a pure stand , the mix we put in here is High Energy Ryegrass Chicory, Plantain White and Red Clover, use a Tertraploed or Hybrid Ryegrass thats more open in the bottom

 

[NorthumbrianFarmer]

Mine gets cut as normal with the grass 3 to 4 times a year , its advisable not to feed pure red clover leys 6 weeks either side of tupping ,but i know plenty of proffesional farmers who feed pure Red Clover Silage over the winter with no concern , but thus would not be a pure stand , the mix we put in here is High Energy Ryegrass Chicory, Plantain White and Red Clover, use a Tertraploed or Hybrid Ryegrass thats more open in the bottom

How long do you expect that ley to last? 3-4 times a year is a lot for this northerner. I can just about manage 3 cuts a year

 

[Derrick Hughes]

Ive got one coming up to 4 years

 

[ollie989898]

How long do you expect that ley to last? 3-4 times a year is a lot for this northerner. I can just about manage 3 cuts a year

It should last 3-4 years. If you don't cut the last time too late you give the ley a bit of chance to recover before winter really sets in.