Red clover as a silage crop offers a high protein forage that can be mixed with grass silage to maximise milk yields and feed conversion efficiency, as well as reducing the costs of farm inputs such as fertiliser and concentrates.

Cows eating bale silage

So what are the key benefits of red clover and how should it be used? Red clover silage can be fed to all kinds of ruminant livestock as the bloating potential of the fresh crop is lost once it is ensiled.  However, mixing with other forage silages high in energy will balance the protein and energy supply and maximize conversion of nutrients into meat and milk rather than lost as urine. 

Recent studies demonstrate the potential of red clover to significantly increase milk production compared with grass silage alone, and that specific mixes of red clover to other forages can improve overall performance.

In one study, carried out by The Institute of Biological, Environmental and Rural Sciences (IBERS) grass and red clover silages were prepared in big bales and fed to dairy cattle as 100% grass, 100% red clover and as a 50:50 mix on a dry matter basis.  "The 50:50 mix resulted in a milk yield of 3.7 kg/day higher than a grass only silage diet, and an intake of just 1kg DM/cow/day higher than grass alone," explains Dr Dave Davies, Silage Researcher at IBERS.

Red Clover Intake Chart Red Clover Milk Yields Chart

"In a separate study comparing a 50:50 mixture of red clover and grass silage with grass silage alone, milk yields were significantly higher on red clover silage compared to grass alone, yet the 50:50 mix gave the most economical feed conversion results, showing little loss in milk yield for a much reduced forage intake," says Dr Davies.

Feeding facts

  • Legume silage gives higher milk yields due to better forage intake and digestibility and higher protein levels
  • Such crops should be fed with concentrates or silage with lower crude protein but higher energy contents for maximum effect.
  • Low protein concentrates offer potential savings in terms of concentrate inputs.

Interesting results were also revealed by a study comparing red clover and maize silages – mixed in proportions of 40:60 or 25:75 respectively – with grass silage alone:

  • a 25:75 red clover silage/maize silage mixed forage at 17.2kg of DM intake/day produced 27.7kg raw milk/day
  • a 40:60 red clover silage/maize silage mixed forage at 18.1kg of DM intake/day produced 25.7kg raw milk/day
  • grass silage alone at 11.8kg of DM intake/day produced 20.2kg raw milk/day.

Such studies suggest there is enough evidence to encourage farmers to take a fresh look at red clover and consider incorporating it into forage systems – anything with the potential to reduce costs and improve productivity will be a welcome addition on any farm.

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