Using clover for livestock

Red and white clover fix nitrogen naturally, boost crude protein and increase overall sward productivity, but they differ significantly in growth habit, persistence and management. Understanding these differences is key to choosing the right clover for your system and managing it effectively.

Combining clover with grass in mixtures boosts yields compared with sowing them individually.

Clover improves forage quality, reduces fertiliser inputs and supports livestock performance.

White clover vs red clover

White and red clover are two commonly used legumes in pasture systems, each offering distinct characteristics and benefits.

Table 1. Comparison of white and red clover

Characteristic	White clover	Red clover
Growth habit	Creeping – spreads by stolons (above-ground runners)	Upright and bushy – grows from a higher crown/growing point
Leaf size	Varies (small to large), affecting their suitability for different grazing systems	Larger leaves than some white clover varieties – supports higher yields
Lifespan	Long-lived perennial (several years if well managed)	Short-lived perennial (2–3 years in a sward, up to four with new types)
Root system	Shallow roots – less drought resistant	Deep taproot – better drought resistance and soil structure
Suited to	Frequent grazing (depending on the type)	Cutting
Nutritional content	High in protein (15–22% CP), low in fibre and highly digestible. Ideal for grazing	High in protein (15.5–21.8% CP) and high biomass production. Ideal for silage and hay
Yield	4.5–6.0 t DM/ha/year in mixed swards (lower overall yield compared to red clover), but it contributes significantly to sward productivity, especially in mixed pastures	13–15 t DM/ha/year in cutting systems. It has a higher DM yield than white clover, especially in cutting systems where its upright growth habit can be fully utilised
Growth timing	Consistent throughout the growing season, peaking late spring to early summer	Seasonal growth with peaks in spring and early summer. Supports 2–4 cuts a year
Grazing tolerance	High – multiple low-growing points make it suited to frequent grazing	Lower – upright growth and crown sensitivity require rest between grazing
Soil preference	Prefers well-drained, fertile soil but can tolerate a range of conditions	Prefers fertile, well-drained soil. Benefits from deeper, loamy soils where its taproot can develop fully
Drought tolerance	Performs well in moist conditions. Struggles in prolonged drought	More drought tolerant due to deep taproot
Waterlogging and compaction tolerance	More tolerant of compaction	Poor tolerance to waterlogging. Prone to root and crown diseases
Fertilisation	Rhizobia in white clover’s root nodules fix atmospheric nitrogen, reducing the need for nitrogen fertilisation in mixed swards. Phosphorus, potassium and sulphur to support its development	Fixes nitrogen but can benefit from targeted fertilisation, especially of phosphorus and potassium, to support its higher yield
Sward management	Requires careful management to prevent overgrazing and maintain its presence in the sward. The persistence of small to medium leaf size varieties makes it a good choice for longer-term swards	Requires more frequent reseeding due to its shorter lifespan and is best managed through cutting systems to maximise yield. While traditionally not suited to grazing, new grazing-type (stoned) red clovers are being developed by plant breeding companies to improve persistence under grazing systems

Choosing the right white clover type

Choose white clover varieties based on their use. Leaf size influences suitability for different livestock systems:

Large-leaf: ideal for cutting or rotational grazing with longer rest periods. They produce high biomass but are susceptible to damage from close grazing

Medium-leaf: balanced yield and persistence, suitable for cattle grazing systems with rotational grazing

Small-leaf: best for continuous grazing, especially in sheep systems, due to their prostrate growth and tolerance to treading

Use the Recommended Grass and Clover List (RGCL) to select varieties proven for persistency and performance.

Feeding clover to breeding livestock

Some clover species contain phytoestrogens, which can affect fertility in sheep if consumed in high proportions.

Read about the impact of clover on fertility

Assessing clover performance

Healthy, well-established clover can fix nitrogen in the soil through root nodules, but its efficiency depends on growth stage, soil fertility and weather conditions.

A simple way of checking is to carefully dig up some clover plants and look for nodules on their roots. If they are pink and look rounded, they are fixing nitrogen. If they are white or shrivelled, it is unlikely that they are fixing nitrogen.

Healthy clover: dark green leaves, vigorous growth, persistent presence

Nitrogen-deficient clover: yellowing leaves, sparse coverage, reduced size

Allowing clover to flower at least once a year improves persistence and nitrogen supply.

Seasonal nitrogen supply

Nitrogen availability is often higher in late spring and early summer when clover is growing and fixing nitrogen.

In late summer and autumn, nitrogen availability decreases and grasses may show signs of nitrogen stress, especially during dry spells.

Nutrient and fertiliser management

Test soil at least every 4–5 years to track nutrient levels and ensure you have a healthy and diverse sward.

Clover performs best with a minimum pH of 6.5, while more nutrients will be available to grass at a pH of 6.3–6.4. For multi-species and grass/clover leys, target a pH of 6–7.

Sulphur is critical for nitrogen fixation – use foliar analysis if clover is underperforming.

Nitrogen fertiliser

Legume-rich swards do not typically need extra nitrogen due to their natural nitrogen-fixing ability. If you do apply nitrogen, aim for a range of 50–100 kg/ha per year, depending on your soil type and crop requirements.

Follow RB209 guidance and consult a FACTS-qualified adviser.

Managing clover dominance

Overdominance can reduce biodiversity and increase the risk of pests and diseases.

Aim for a sward with a clover content of 30–40% during late spring, which may increase to 50–60% in the summer.

Mowing or cutting when clover is growing rapidly can weaken clover and encourage grass growth. Aim for a cutting height of 6–7 cm; this supports grass recovery and encourages an even mix of species in the sward.

Another option is to overseed with competitive grasses (e.g. perennial rye-grass, timothy). The

most effective time to carry out overseeding for clover dominance is late summer, when the grass is growing more slowly, and early spring.

Further information

Learn more about multi-species swards

Order a copy of our guide for more information on legume, herb and forage species

Topics:

Crops & Grassland Grassland Management Varieties Livestock

Sectors:

Beef & Lamb Dairy

Tags:

clover Herbal leys forage grass growth grazing