What sub clover suits a long growing season in high rainfall country?
We recommend Leura Sub Clover for higher rainfall districts with a long growing season. It is a later-maturing sub clover that keeps growing well into spring, producing plenty of feed where moisture lasts. It suits well-drained, moderately acidic soils. Talk to us about whether it fits your rainfall and soil.
Which late flowering clover gives more spring feed in the South West?
Leura Sub Clover is a later-flowering variety, so it keeps producing in late spring when earlier clovers have finished. This makes it useful in the South West and other high rainfall areas where the season runs late. It is a good partner for perennial or annual ryegrass pastures.
How much Leura sub clover seed do I sow?
Sowing rates for sub clover depend on whether it is sown alone or in a mix, with lower rates used in mixes. Talk to us for the recommended rate for Leura Sub Clover in your paddock. Inoculate the seed with Group C rhizobia before sowing, and sow shallow into moist soil at the break.
What clover should I sow with ryegrass on a high rainfall beef farm?
We suggest Leura Sub Clover alongside a ryegrass such as our Victorian perennial or an Italian ryegrass. Its later maturity matches the longer growing season in high rainfall country, and it adds nitrogen and quality to the pasture. Watch for bloat in cattle on lush, clover-dominant pastures.
Is there a sub clover with good disease resistance for wetter districts?
Leura Sub Clover is suited to higher rainfall areas, where diseases such as clover scorch are more common. Talk to us about its current disease ratings for your district. For waterlogged paddocks, we suggest our Riverina Sub Clover, which belongs to the waterlogging-tolerant yanninicum subspecies.
Can cattle bloat on sub clover pastures?
Yes, cattle can bloat on lush, clover-dominant pastures, including those with Leura Sub Clover. We suggest sowing it with a grass, introducing hungry stock gradually and talking to your vet about bloat prevention. Keeping a balanced grass and clover pasture through good grazing management also reduces the risk.
How do I get my sub clover to regenerate each autumn?
Let the pasture set seed in spring by easing grazing pressure during flowering and seed fill. Sub clovers such as Leura bury their seed burrs, which helps them regenerate. Keep dry feed grazed down over summer so the seedlings can emerge after the break, and keep soil pH and phosphorus at suitable levels.
Can I make silage or hay from a late maturing sub clover pasture?
Yes, later-maturing sub clovers such as Leura produce good spring bulk, which suits silage or hay in higher rainfall areas. Cutting reduces the seed set that season, so leave some paddocks to set seed, or cut early enough that the clover can still flower and set seed afterwards.
Is Leura a good choice for the wheatbelt?
Leura Sub Clover is generally better suited to higher rainfall areas with a long growing season than to the drier wheatbelt. For lower rainfall paddocks, we recommend earlier-flowering varieties such as our Dalkeith, Izmir or Nungarin sub clovers, which set seed before the season ends.
Leura vs Seaton Park sub clover, which suits my farm?
Both suit higher rainfall country. Leura is a later-maturing variety for long growing seasons, while Seaton Park flowers mid-season and is very persistent under heavy grazing. Your choice depends on how late your season runs and your soil pH. Talk to us and we can recommend one or suggest a mix of both.
