Recently concluded US study indicates the new benefits of using red clovers in green fodder production. This is expressed in lower emissions of ammonia and methane, combined with higher animal production.

And that is very interesting, because this is a revenue model in the hands of the farmer himself! He decides and manages it, he is not dependent on third parties and it strengthens his independence.

The trial has shown that red clover reduces ammonia and methane emissions and improves crude fiber utilization, thereby improving animal production.

The effect of red clover is caused by an isoflavone biochanin A. This substance has an inhibitory effect on those rumen bacteria (HABs), which use protein released during rumen digestion and convert it into ammonia and methane. The first is excreted with the urine, the second with belching.

De proef is uitgevoerd met beweiding met ossen die werden gesuplementeerd met rode klaverhooi. De onderzoekers geven aan dat de resultaten ook gelden voor vers geweide mengsels. Er werd op 2 niveaus hooi gevoerd, waarbij het lage niveau voor het beste resultaat zorgde, 35% meer groei, 2 lbs/dag vergeleken met 1,5 lbs/dag. Dus… meer is niet altijd goed!

Red clover is a 2 to 3 year old plant and has a high nitrogen-fixing capacity, a high dry matter production and is less sensitive to pH than for example lucerne. It has a taproot which makes for a good draught resistance in your plot.

Clovers are best sown in autumn, superficially, in a fine, firm seedbed, which after sowing is rolled with a serrated iron roller.

If red clover is sown in spring , then give it plenty of rest in the fall so it can store reserve food.

Red clover goes well with clumping grasses that produce more in the mix than in monoculture, the Darwin effect. They have good growth in hot dry summers and thus help to fill the summer slump. The grasses help to prevent the risk of ruminant infections caused by too many clovers.

The protein content in red clover can be just as high as in lucerne, while the digestibility of the crude fiber is better. The thick taproot ensures a good drought resistance, a good crop produces 8 to 10 tons of dry matter per hectare. It has good summer and fall production.

Red clover is a valuable plant in our Saladebuffetten. Its presence improves the digestion of the grasses so that they are better utilized.

Source: https://journals.plos.org/plosone/article?id=10.1371/journal.pone.0229200