Adding clover to the mix can raise yields

Including a combination of red and white clover in a perennial ryegrass mix can raise yields by 40% compared to a perennial ryegrass, white clover ley, according to Barenbrug.

The company’s BARForage Combi with Ensign Duet forage mix out yielded all other long-term mixtures on a trial at the Barenbrug research site, Worcestershire.

Last year, Duet out-yielded the conventional white clover mix by 4%, but this year has seen a really special performance, says Barenbrug’s agricultural manager David Long.

“It’s the inclusion of Lemmon red clover in the Duet sward which has made such a significant difference. This is partly due to this year’s dry summer, as red clover is more able to access available moisture through its deep roots.

“It also demonstrates the ability of red clover to contribute to the total performance of the sward, particularly in the second half of the year.”

Another trial also demonstrated the advantages of using Westerwolds to fill the grazing gap caused by a shortage of grazing rye.

“The Westerwold Bartempo out-yielded the traditional long-term leys by more than 50%,” he says.

“This shows the benefits of using species that grow at lower temperatures and farmers looking to extend their grazing season, either later into autumn or earlier in spring, should consider using Bartempo as an alternative to grazing rye.”

The trial also proved Westerwolds are a species best used for no more than eight months.