Red clover is one of the most popular clovers in the UK. Best grown as part of a grass or clover sward, it’s known for its high yields and protein-rich forage.
However, to get the most out of your red clover, it’s essential to understand which soil type is best for the plant. From soil textures to pH levels, we’re covering everything you need to know to make the most of your red clover.
Quality silage in the field is dependent on many factors, including the weather conditions, time of day, and height of the cut. Good dry matter and sufficient soluble carbohydrate content both contribute to good silage in the field, with the D-value and correct chop length also being important considerations.
There are many conditions which should be taken into consideration when looking for good silage; it’s important to cut the grass when it contains the highest nutrient levels.
Silage analysis can provide an idea of the contents of the silage, but it cannot present how the rumen will respond to the forage. This means that silage analysis cannot predict silage performance.
There are many factors which affect how silage will feed such as a high pH, high dry matter, good ME, digestibility, and protein. However, due to the high dry matter and pH, it’s likely that the silage will not be stable and could be predisposed to heating and mould. In cattle, these factors will reduce intakes and a mycotoxin binder may need to be fed.
