21 April 2022

The Clover Reporter is Trevor Boland

This week the Clover Reporter return to Trevor Boland for an update on his current grass situation and to find out his clover management plan for existing and new swards. Trevor’s Top Tip for Clover in April: Graze paddocks down tight and follow with clover by oversowing, using half rate nitrogen

Trevor Boland

Name: Trevor Boland
Location: Sligo
Enterprise: Suckler/Beef
Soil Type: Clay
% Farm In Clover: 25% (ha)
% From Reseeding: 0% (ha)
% From Oversowing: 100% (ha)
Clover content 2021: 0% on ha
Clover varieties: (leaf size) Buddy & Chieftian
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2kg/ac – oversown, kg/ac – reseed

Methods Used: Oversown on grazing ground after cattle grazed paddock.

Clover Plan for 2022

Clover Management for Existing Swards: Going in to graze at 10cm and graze down to 4cm in two or three days. Aiming to get a tight grazing in this round to ensure quality grass available in the next round of grazing.

Clover Management for new swards: Repeat what worked last year. Oversow with clover after grazing and reduce nitrogen for the rest of the year. Ensure good grazing management, three week rotation and not too heavy a cover on paddocks pre grazing.
What % Grazing Block: 75% (25ha)
Why These Paddocks: Aiming to reduce fertiliser use and get maximum weight gain on bulls grazing these paddocks

Paddock Soil Fertility: pH – 6.3, P – Index 2 or 3, K- Index 3 or 4
When: April when conditions right (temperature and moisture)
Clover varieties: Buddy and Chieftain (medium leaf sizes)
Seeding Rate/Ac: 2 kg/ac – oversown
Method for 2022: Oversow
Trevor’s Top Tip for Clover in April: Graze paddocks down tight and follow with clover by oversowing. Half rate nitrogen so as not to let the grass get too strong ahead of the clover. Maintain grazing management, ensure paddock are correct size to ensure 2-3 days grazing in each paddock.

Current Grass Situation

“I have an AFC of 514 Kg DM/Ha currently, with about 13 days grass ahead. It is a little bit tight for my liking but warmer weather is expected towards the weekend so I should be ok. In anticipation of warmer weather, I am spreading 2 bags per acre of 18.6.12. These paddocks had recieved 23 units of UREA in early March. Growth is 45 Kg DM/Ha and Demand is 39 Kg Dm/Ha”

The Management and establishment of grass-white clover swards booklet discusses and sets out the principles for the management and establishment of grass-white clover swards so that the benefits can be achieved at farm level.

Find out more about clover here | Read about the other farmers who took part in The Clover Reporter here