Spring is a popular time for pasture renewal, but the same principles apply whether your are establishing a new pasture in spring or autumn. While a lot of attention is placed on selecting the right cultivar, endophyte, and seed treatment, the success of a pasture should not be measured by grass establishment alone.
Clover plays a critical role in perennial pasture productivity, animal performance, and long-term Nitrogen (N) fixation, so getting it established and maintained within the sward is equally important.
The challenge is there is no one-size-fits-all approach. Every paddock presents its own opportunities and challenges. From soil fertility or type, moisture, weed pressure, or pest populations, what works well in one paddock may not deliver the same result in another. So, planning and management decisions are particularly important during the establishment phase.
Before planting
Before a seed goes in the ground, assess soil fertility and address nutrient deficiencies. Clover is less forgiving than ryegrass when fertility is limiting, particularly where Phosphorus (P), Sulphur (S), Potassium (K), or soil pH are below optimum levels. Investing in seed without first correcting fertility constraints limits establishment and reduces the long-term return on the renewal investment.
At sowing
Sowing rates and establishment methods deserve careful consideration. Clover seed is small and limited energy reserves makes sowing depth critical. This depth becomes a compromise between the requirements of ryegrass and clover. Ryegrass successfully emerges from depths of around 10 to 20 mm, while white clover prefers a shallower placement in the top 10 mm. More and more ryegrass is drilled while the clover is spread on top of the ground before being rolled in to the top few mm. This helps achieve the preferred sowing depth and helps with some weed suppression by better filling the spaces between the rows.
Post-emergence managment
The first grazing is one of the most influential events in a pasture's life. When well-timed, tillering in ryegrass is encouraged and light reaches developing clover seedling. Allowing seedlings to establish sufficiently before grazing, while avoiding excessive shading and competition, helps maintain clover presence within the sward. This tends to be earlier than what we often think. Once you can do the pull-test successfully, bring in some light stock. But only if you are outside the grazing withholding periods of any seed treatments, herbicides, or insecticides.
Weed control
Controlling weeds while small allows the use of softer chemistry and lower application rates. Where weed pressure is high, splitting applications provides a better balance between weed control and clover safety, protecting the establishing legume without compromising overall pasture quality.
Fighting pests
Emerging clover seedlings are highly attractive to a range of pests, and significant plant losses can occur before the problem is identified. Monitor for insect activity during planning and establishment and act promptly to prevent setbacks that pasture may take years to recover from. Protecting young plants during establishment is far more cost effective than trying to rebuild clover content later.
A valuable investment
Pasture renewal represents a significant investment in seed, crop inputs, and time. Taking steps to establish and maintain strong clover populations maximises your investment through improved pasture quality, enhanced animal performance, and the long-term benefits of biological nitrogen fixation.
Remember, the best approach depends on the farm or even the paddock, so getting bespoke advice ensures decisions made during establishment deliver returns for years to come.
What is the best approach for establishing healthy clover on your farm? Contact your PGG Wrightson Technical Field Representative.
