Annual herbage production increased 40% when subterranean clover was over-drilled into grass-dominant dryland pastures

Abstract

Annual dry matter (DM) production and botanical composition from dryland cocksfoot and ryegrass pastures grown with and without subterranean clover were measured over 2 years (2006-2008) in Canterbury. Yields ranged from 6.4 to 12.4 t DM/ha/yr. Spring yield was increased by 23-45% by the inclusion of subterranean clover. Total DM production was similar between grass species but ryegrass pastures contained 45% weeds compared with <5% for cocksfoot by the end of winter in 2008. In non water-limited spring conditions, pastures with subterranean clover grew at over 60 kg DM/ha/day which was at least 40% faster than those that were grass-dominant and ryegrass grew faster than cocksfoot. This study confirms the positive impact that over-drilled subterranean clover can have on pasture production in grass-dominant dryland pastures.