What sub clover suits a long growing season in high rainfall country?
We recommend Leura Subterranean Clover for higher-rainfall districts with a long growing season, from 750mm. It is a later-flowering sub clover (about 151 days) that keeps producing into late spring where moisture lasts, and it suits well-drained, moderately acidic soils. Sow 10–20 kg/ha on its own or 6–10 kg/ha in a mix, inoculated with Group C inoculant.
Which late flowering clover gives more spring feed in the South West?
Leura Subterranean Clover is our later-flowering sub clover for extra spring feed. It keeps producing into late spring where moisture lasts, after earlier clovers have finished, and suits high rainfall areas where the season runs late, on well-drained, moderately acidic soils. Its spring bulk also suits silage or hay, and it can be sown with perennial or annual ryegrass.
How much Leura sub clover seed do I sow?
We recommend sowing Leura Subterranean Clover at 10–20 kg/ha on its own, or 6–10 kg/ha in a mix with ryegrass. Sow shallow into moist soil at the break, and inoculate the seed with Group C inoculant before sowing. Leura suits high-rainfall areas (750mm+) with a long season, on well-drained, moderately acidic soils.
What clover should I sow with ryegrass on a high rainfall beef farm?
We suggest Leura Subterranean Clover alongside a ryegrass such as our Victorian Perennial Ryegrass or an Italian ryegrass. Its later flowering matches the longer growing season in high-rainfall (750mm+) country, and it adds nitrogen and quality to the pasture. Sow Leura at 6–10 kg/ha in a mix. Watch for bloat in cattle on lush, clover-dominant pastures.
Is there a sub clover with good disease resistance for wetter districts?
Leura Subterranean Clover suits higher-rainfall (750mm+) districts on well-drained, moderately acidic soils, but we don't publish disease ratings for it, so talk to us about your district. For wetter or waterlogged paddocks, we suggest Riverina Subterranean Clover, a waterlogging-tolerant yanninicum type with high resistance to phytophthora root rot, clover scorch and powdery mildew, suited to 425mm+ rainfall.
Can cattle bloat on sub clover pastures?
Yes, cattle can bloat on lush, clover-dominant pastures, although we don't publish a separate bloat rating for Leura Subterranean Clover. We suggest sowing it with perennial or annual ryegrass, introducing hungry stock gradually and talking to your vet about bloat prevention. Keeping a balanced grass and clover pasture through good grazing management also helps reduce 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 Subterranean Clover bury their seed burrs, which helps them regenerate. Keep dry feed grazed down over summer so seedlings can emerge after the break, and keep soil pH and phosphorus at suitable levels for strong regrowth.
Can I make silage or hay from a late maturing sub clover pasture?
Yes, later-maturing sub clovers such as Leura Subterranean Clover produce good spring bulk, which suits silage or hay in higher-rainfall areas. Cutting reduces seed set that season, and Leura has a low hard seed level, 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?
No, Leura Subterranean Clover is not a wheatbelt variety: it needs 750mm+ rainfall and a long growing season. For lower-rainfall paddocks, we recommend earlier-flowering varieties that set seed before the season ends, such as Dalkeith Subterranean Clover (325mm+), Izmir Subterranean Clover (350mm+) or Nungarin Subterranean Clover (300mm+).
Leura vs Seaton Park sub clover, which suits my farm?
It depends on how late your season runs and your soil pH. Leura Subterranean Clover is a later-flowering variety for long, high-rainfall seasons (750mm+) on well-drained, moderately acidic soils. Seaton Park Subterranean Clover flowers mid-season, needs 425mm+ rainfall and a soil pH of 6 or more, and is very persistent under heavy grazing. Talk to us and we can recommend one.
