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Adding clover to reduce emissions
Clover’s ability to fix nitrogen (N) in the soil has encouraged many farmers to add it to their swards, some by overseeding, others by replacing pasture monocultures entirely with grass-clover leys.
Benefits for the environment and your farm business
- Clover is a natural N fixer. It captures N from the air and converts it into a form that plants can use to grow. Clover has a lower requirement for manufactured fertiliser
- Clover is a practical way to protect against volatile fertiliser prices contributing to both cost savings and climate benefits
- By reducing or eliminating the need for synthetic fertilisers, clover helps to avoid both the emissions from the manufacturing process and the emissions from their application
- If less chemical N is applied to land, there is less nitrous oxide (N2O) emitted into the air
- Clover has been shown to reduce enteric methane (CH4) production from livestock. This is achieved through the presence of condensed tannins in clover, which can lower methane production
- Growing clover reduces the need for imported protein feed, such as soya
- Whether grazed or conserved, both white and red clover are good sources of protein for ruminants. Crude protein in white clover can exceed 25% with red clover offering slightly lower, but still substantial protein content
- Both clover varieties have high intake potential, meaning livestock can efficiently consume them, leading to improved growth and productivity
- Once established, clover is easy and inexpensive to grow which can lower input costs and lead to strong performance in both meat and milk
- Clover lowers fertiliser costs while maintaining or even increasing improving livestock performance (e.g. milk production and liveweight gain). It is palatable, supporting high intakes and faster growth rates
- Quicker finishing times can help reduce the carbon footprint of every kilogram of meat or milk produced
- Clover-rich leys reduce worm burdens in grazing livestock
- The deep roots of clover also help increase the availability of important trace elements like calcium, copper and selenium contributing to better overall animal health
- Clover’s nitrogen fixation benefits the soil by increasing its fertility, improving soil structure and promoting organic matter cycling. Over time, this can reduce soil degradation and enhance long-term soil health
- The root systems of clover help store carbon in the soil, acting as a carbon sink. This contributes to soil carbon sequestration, further mitigating the effects of climate change by locking carbon into the soil rather than releasing it into the atmosphere
- When clover is used in swards or ley rotations, it increases plant diversity on the farm, which can lead to improved resilience to pests and diseases
- Clover’s deep rooting nature allows it to withstand drought conditions. It is more drought-tolerant than grass, helping to maintain farm feed stocks in dry summers
- A grass-clover sward with 30–40% clover in the dry matter can match the yield of a grass-only sward receiving 180 kg N/ha of fertiliser
- Estimating how much N clover supplies can be tricky as it fluctuates from year to year, even within a season
Should you grow white or red clover?
Farmers can incorporate clover into grass swards, guided by an agronomist and include clover in rations, with help from a livestock nutritionist.
White and red clover have several key differences and these should inform which is most suited to its intended use.
White clover
- More tolerant to frequent grazing, making it ideal for grazing systems
- Contains 18–25% crude protein
- Highly digestible
- Often needs phosphorus and potassium supplementation to support growth
- Performs well in cooler, wetter regions
Red clover
- Best suited for silage and hay systems
- Produces higher biomass yield
- Resilient to cutting
- Requires careful nutrient management and prone to diseases such as clover rot and sclerotinia
- Deep root system tolerates drought-prone conditions
- Needs reseeding every 2–4 years
Choosing the right variety
Use the Recommended Grass and Clover List (RGCL) to select varieties suited to your farm system:
- Large leaf – good for producing silage
- Medium leaf – ideal for grazing cattle
- Small leaf – suited for grazing sheep
- Red clover – best for finishing lamb and beef
Establishment and management
- Remove weed pressure before clover seed is sown. Many weedkillers are not suitable for use in grass-clover mixes and weeds will outcompete clover before it can establish. This rule applies whether clover is being established through a full reseed or by overseeding
- Clover is particularly sensitive to applications of N during its establishment phase. Agronomists advise not applying any during this important period unless soils have a low N supply. If needed, limit to 50 kg N/ha
Top tip – if the soil is dry enough, roll the ground immediately after the seed is sown to improve seed-to-soil contact, keep moisture locked in, and reduce any risk from slug damage.
Understand the limitations of clover
- Slow to establish in cool conditions: Clover requires warmer soils (8°C) to begin growth, whereas grass can grow at 5°C
- Sensitive to soil condition: Needs pH of 6.0 – 6.2 and index 2 for phosphate and potash
- Fragile leaves: Clover leaves can shatter during mowing and wilting, especially in high dry matter conditions, affecting silage quality
- Bloat risk in livestock: High clover intake, especially in lush swards, can increase the risk of bloat in ruminants
- Poor fertility in ewes: Due to high levels of phytoestrogens in clover, avoid feeding red clover and stressed white clover in the six weeks before and after tupping
- Balance fibre intake: Extra fibre such as hay may be needed to support rumen health
- Trace element deficiency: Selenium and cobalt may need supplementing to meet livestock requirement for growth and fertility
Learn more about clover-related health issues
Read more on optimising soil pH with lime
Find out more on reducing emissions on farm
Further information on the environmental benefits of clover
