The use of white clover in grassland offers many benefits to Irish farmers, including to replace fertiliser nitrogen (N), which will substantially lower greenhouse gas (GHG) and ammonia emissions from pasture-based production.

The benefits of white clover tend to occur from May onwards, as sward white clover content increases.

The main benefits of white clover inclusion in grass swards are:

Teagasc has been carrying out research for eight years (2013-2020) at Moorepark, comparing the standard grass-only grazing system receiving 250kg fertiliser N/ha/year with a grass-white clover system receiving 150kg N/ha/year. Both grazing systems were stocked at 2.74 cows/ha.

Similarly, at Clonakilty Agricultural College, a grass-only system receiving 250kg N/ha/year was compared with a grass-white clover system also receiving 250kg N/ha/year, stocked at 2.75 cows/ha over four years (2014-2017).

The results of these trials are outlined the table below.

Best practice grazing management is similar for grass-white clover swards and grass-only swards.

Flexibility and willingness to adapt to the conditions are important when managing grass-white clover swards.

Good grazing management is also important for increased persistence and production of white clover in grazed swards.

Spring:

Mid-season (April to July):

Autumn:

An average annual sward white clover content of approx. 20 –25% is desirable for animal and sward production benefits.

Sward white clover content increases through the spring, into summer and generally peaks in August/September.

Good grazing management is key to maintaining sward white clover content.