RED CLOVER ABANDONED

RED CLOVER ABANDONED; ROBERT DAVIES

DIFFICULTIES ENSILING red clover in big bales means Gelli Aur College is abandoning growing the crop

Over four years, we found that we could get good yields and the clover showed good persistency. But the crop proved difficult to ensile, even using an additive, protein was only about 10.5% and it was very acidic,” said John Owen.

“We have decided to concentrate on growing crops we can do well, which means grazed grass and good quality grass silage.”

Although the farm is marginal for the production of forage maize, Mr Owen will continue to try new varieties.