Forage and beef cattle specialists have long known and touted the benefits of clovers.
Seven Points of Clover Advantages
1.Increased forage quality – The introduction of clover to a grass pasture greatly increases forage quality. When compared to bermuda or fescue, clover forage provides greater amounts of protein and approximately 30 to 35 percent more total digestible nutrients (TDN). Clover also offers higher amounts of calcium, phosphorous and magnesium than bermuda or fescue. This higher forage quality reduces or eliminates the need for additional protein supplementation.
2.Increases animal performance – Multiple livestock studies throughout the U.S. have shown adding clover to the pasture forage mix leads to increases in gain per head, average daily gain and gain per acre, while improving percent calf crop and weaning weights. These increases have been extensive, with up to a 35 percent increase in gain/head, up to a 40 percent increase in average daily gain, gain/acre increases up to 55 percent and as much as a 10 percent increase in calving percentage.
3.Offers free nitrogen – As a legume, clover manufactures its own nitrogen, thus reducing or eliminating the amount of nitrogen fertilizer needed. Perennial white clovers provide 100 to 150 pounds of nitrogen/acre annually, a savings of over $40/acre in fertilizer costs.
4.Extends forage production and grazing days – Clover over-seeded in perennial warm season pastures (bermuda, etc.) provides more total forage production and allows grazing to begin 30 to 60 days earlier than pastures without clover.
5.Reduces days of hay feeding – Early season high quality clover growth can shorten days of hay feeding by 30 to 60 days in the winter. This reduces amounts of hay needed and labor costs, resulting in savings of $30/cow or more per year.
6.Lowers cost of animal production – In a study by Dr. Gerald Evers in Angleton, Texas, the cost to produce a pound of beef from a cow/calf study was 50 percent lower with clover mixed pastures, compared to grass pastures receiving nitrogen fertilizer.
7.Improves soil structure – Studies have shown legumes to positively affect soil quality by improving soil tilth, adding organic matter and enhancing the soil micro-organism environment.
Manage for Clover Persistence
Keeping a productive stand of clover in the pasture forage mix can be a challenge. However, by implementing some simple pasture management practices, farmers can help ensure the clover stand remains persistent and productive year after year. These practices include proper pasture fertilization, weed control and grazing management.
Pasture Fertilization
Clover forage is typically higher in content of phosphorous (P), potassium (K), magnesium (Mg) and certain micronutrients. Therefore, fertilizer requirements for these major nutrients in clover mixed pastures may be somewhat higher than those for grass-only production. Soil tests should be taken ahead of planting clover, and then again every two or three years to insure proper levels of P, K, Mg and micronutrients are available.
During the year after planting, limit nitrogen fertilization to no more than 25 or 30 pounds of actual nitrogen/acre. This encourages clover nitrogen fixation and helps reduce grass competition with the clover.
Weed Control
Pasture weed control is enhanced with a good stand of clover. Perennial white clovers will shade out and out-compete annual weed seed as they try to emerge in late winter/early spring. Research has shown that a good stand of clover equals the weed control obtained from one early herbicide application.
Grazing Management
With clover mixed pastures, grazing management is particularly important. Periodic grazing on a regular basis throughout the year removes tall grass and allows penetration of sunlight down into the grass canopy to reach young clover seedlings and/or new growth from clover stolons. Regular grazing also allows the animal’s digestive system to adjust to clover as it initiates forage growth. This reduces the chance of cattle bloat as bloat is more prevalent when animals are suddenly introduced to pastures with a thick, lush clover stand.
Justin Burns is a regional forage specialist and sales manager for Pennington Seed, Inc. Information for this article was provided by Dr. David Bade, Professor and Extension Forage Specialist, Emeritus, Texas A&M.
