Livestock farmers can reap the benefits of red clover in various ways. The Louis Bolk Institute conducted research into the effects of red clover in meadows. Based on the results of this research, Barenbrug has drawn up a list of the benefits.
Meadows with grass-red clover produce at least 1 tonne more of dry matter per hectare than pure grass when fertilised according to current fertilisation standards (max. 250 kg active N).
Management of a red clover-grass meadow is almost the same as managing a meadow with pure grass. The only differences between a grass-red clover meadow and a grass meadow are:
Red clover (with taproot) can withstand drought well. For drought-prone areas, it is advisable to choose drought-resistant types of grass. Otherwise, almost all the grass will have disappeared after a dry period and production will be below expectations.
The net energy for milk production (NEmilk) yield of meadows with grass and red clover is equal to or higher than that of pure grass, even though the costs for fertiliser or irrigation are zero or virtually zero. The protein content is usually also higher. The short-term benefit of grass-clover can exceed €100 per hectare. This does depend on no manure surplus arising, because of the associated costs of manure disposal.
In the longer term, grass-clover provides even more benefits: soil life and the soil structure improve, and soil fertility increases (e.g. higher capacity to supply nitrogen, which means that maize grown on cracked grass-clover land yields approximately 10% more).
Effect of clover mainly visible in the longer term: compare maize growth
After 3 years of grass After 3 years of grass-clover
Perennial ryegrass often suffers from crown rust in late summer. Even varieties with considerable resistance can suffer from crown rust in poor conditions (wet/hot weather after grass production has come under stress). The nitrogen supply to the grass in a grass-clover meadow is much more gradual (less stress), so crown rust is rarely a problem.
From the end of June to August, there is often little food for flower-visiting insects such as bees and bumblebees. Even with regular cutting, clover often blooms during this period, providing a welcome source of food for these beneficial insects.
Clover, and especially red clover, has a very positive effect on the content of polyunsaturated fatty acids in milk.
