Red clover

Introduction

• Scientific name: Trifolium pretense
• A long stemmed , tap rooted plant that grows from a crown.
• Large inflorescence ranges from pink to purple.
• Considered as a short-lived perennial that can survive two to four years.

Production and Management

• Usually persists for two to three years in a pasture, but will decline faster if the pasture is grazed heavily in winter.
• Can produce about 12 tons of DM per hectare in spring summer if grazed infrequently.
• Seed rate is about 4-8 kg/ha.

Environment

• Requires medium to high fertility and is adaptable to most soil types.
• The deep roots enable to avoid moisture stress over summer.
• Plants are largely dominant in winter.

Animal health

• Can cause bloat in cattle.
• Sheep regularly grazed on rede clover prior to mating can become infertile, but the effect on cattle and deer is short-lived.