FAQ - Clover

What are the advantages of clover in grassland? Answers to these and other most frequently asked questions about grass clover listed.

What are the advantages of clover in grassland?

Clover binds nitrogen from the air, which is then released into the soil, benefiting the grass. White clover can bind up to 150 kg of nitrogen, and red clover up to 350 kg per hectare, resulting in substantial fertilizer savings.

Including clover in a grassland mixture allows for reduced nitrogen application while maintaining good grass yields. Clover promotes consistent grass growth, preventing rust and keeping the crop palatable in autumn. Additionally, cows consume more clover, and trials show that cows produce 1 kg more milk on grass-clover diets compared to grass-only diets.

What are the advantages of red clover in grassland?

Red clover offers numerous benefits for livestock farmers. Research by the Louis Bolk Institute highlights eight significant advantages, including increased productivity, low maintenance, and reduced drought sensitivity. Want to learn more about the benefits of red clover?

How do I seed clover?

Clover can be seeded through reseeding or overseeding. The machinery differs for each method. For reseeding, use a regular grass seeder, but note that clover seed should be sown shallower than grass seed. A grass-clover mixture should be seeded no deeper than 2 cm, with half a centimeter to one centimeter being optimal. Seed clover by September 15.

For overseeding, you can use a harrow with a seeding combination or a machine like the Hunter, which creates strips in the grass for seeding clover.

What options are there for overseeding or reseeding clover?

For overseeding clover in permanent grassland, you have two options: the white clover mixture Quartet or the red clover mixture Duet. Seed mixtures with clover should be sown shallowly, between half a centimeter and one centimeter.

What is the optimal nitrogen level in a grass-clover pasture?

Clover tolerates nitrogen well. The myth that nitrogen eliminates clover is unfounded, but additional nitrogen stimulates grass growth, making it dense and hindering clover development. Clover needs light to thrive. Using clover in grass is beneficial up to 250 kg of effective nitrogen per hectare.

Until when can I seed clover in the autumn?

Clover needs adequate time to establish before winter. Therefore, clover should be seeded by mid-September at the latest.

Should I apply lime if I want to seed clover?

Clover responds strongly to soil pH. If the soil is too acidic, clover will not develop well and will quickly decline. Before plowing, take a soil sample to determine the lime requirement. Ideal pH values are 5.2 to 5.5 for sandy soil and 6.0 to 6.5 for clay soil.

How can I achieve more palatable pastures?

Grass with clover is more palatable than grass without clover. Additionally, clover helps prevent rust in grassland. Studies by the P.V. (Productschap van de Veehouderij = Livestock Product Board) confirm that cows produce more milk on grass-clover pastures, yielding about 1 liter more milk than grass-only pastures.