Urana Subterranean Clover

Increased winter and spring production, harder seed

Trifolium subterraneum cv. Urana

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Urana is a highly winter-active, high-producing sub clover with strong hard-seed levels and low formononetin. Urana’s indeterminate nature allows it to keep growing right through into spring when moisture is available. Urana performs best in well-drained, higher-rainfall areas, where it delivers outstanding winter production.

Key attributes

  • Very winter active for increased returns per hectare
  • Produces greater total herbage than most cultivars
  • Higher hard seed levels than Dalkeith
  • Persists well through cropping rotations
  • Moderately resistant to clover scorch race 2
  • Suits a pasture phase between crops

About this variety

Urana is a subterranean clover selected for winter activity, and it is described as the most winter active sub clover yet seen in the trials it came through, which translates directly into increased returns per hectare.

Winter activity is where a pasture legume adds the most value. Feed grown in winter is the feed a farm would otherwise have to buy, so a clover that produces when others are dormant lifts carrying capacity at the point of greatest cost.

It flowers slightly later than Dalkeith but earlier than Seaton Park, at around 103 days at Perth, and it has the capacity to produce greater total herbage than other cultivars. It also carries higher levels of hard seed than Dalkeith, which should allow it to persist well through cropping rotations, and that combination of production and persistence is what suits it to a pasture phase between crops.

It is susceptible to race 1 clover scorch but moderately resistant to race 2, so its fit depends on which races are present in the district.

Disease & pest resistance

Susceptible to Race 1 clover scorch but moderately resistant to Race 2; higher hard seed levels than Dalkeith; slightly better resistance to red-legged earth mites than existing cultivars; trace formononetin levels (<0.05% of Dry Matter)

Stand life

Has higher levels of hard seed than Dalkeith which should enable it to persist well in cropping rotations.

How it's sold

FormPackStatus
Bare25 kgIn stock
Urana Subterranean Clover

FAQs

What's the most winter active sub clover for wheatbelt paddocks with 400mm rain?

We recommend Urana Sub Clover. It is the most winter-active sub clover observed in trials and suits the 400mm+ rainfall areas of the wheatbelt. In WA trials it produced 10% more herbage than Dalkeith in year one and 25% more in year two. It grows on a wide range of soils with pH 4.5 or higher.

Which sub clover has enough hard seed to survive a cropping rotation?

Urana Sub Clover has higher levels of hard seed than Dalkeith, which gives it better persistence in cropping rotations and suits a pasture phase between crops. It flowers slightly later than Dalkeith, about 103 to 105 days after sowing at Perth, which gives longer production where the season runs into October.

How much Urana sub clover should I sow?

We recommend 20 kg/ha of Urana Sub Clover when sown on its own and 6 to 8 kg/ha in a mix. Inoculate the seed with Group C rhizobia before sowing. It can be mixed with ryegrass for extra bulk over the growing season.

What clover gives the most bulk for grazing or silage in a good season?

Urana Sub Clover has very vigorous plants with a more upright habit than Dalkeith, larger leaves and more total dry matter than other early-flowering varieties. Its indeterminate habit means it keeps growing into spring when moisture is available. Sow it with ryegrass for extra bulk for grazing or silage.

Is there a clover that copes better with redlegged earth mite?

Urana Sub Clover has slightly better resistance to redlegged earth mite, as both seedlings and adult plants, than older varieties. You should still monitor paddocks after the break and control mites if numbers build up. Urana also has moderate resistance to Race 2 clover scorch but is susceptible to Race 1.

Which sub clover is safe for ewes in a prime lamb operation?

Urana Sub Clover has only trace levels of formononetin, below 0.05% of dry matter, so the risk of oestrogen-related fertility problems in ewes is very low. Its strong winter production also suits lambing ewes. Watch for bloat if cattle graze lush, clover-dominant pastures.

Can I grow Urana on deep sand?

We do not recommend Urana Sub Clover for deep sands. It suits a wide range of other soils with pH 4.5 or higher and performs best on well-drained soils in higher rainfall areas. For deep sands, consider our serradellas, such as Margurita, Santorini or Cadiz, or Casbah Biserrula.

What should I sow with sub clover to get more winter feed on a sheep farm?

We suggest sowing Urana Sub Clover with a ryegrass for extra bulk through the growing season. Our Wimmera or Safeguard ryegrasses suit wheatbelt sheep systems. Urana's strong winter activity combines with the ryegrass to fill the winter feed gap. Inoculate the clover with Group C rhizobia.

Who bred Urana sub clover and how long has it been around?

Urana was bred by the Department of Agriculture WA and has been commercially available since 2004. It is an early-flowering sub clover and was developed for strong winter production, higher hard seed levels and low formononetin, making it a reliable modern choice for the wheatbelt.

What sub clover should I use instead of Dalkeith for more production?

We suggest Urana Sub Clover. It produced 10 to 25% more herbage than Dalkeith in WA trials, has higher hard seed levels for better persistence in cropping rotations and flowers slightly later for longer production. It suits 400mm+ rainfall areas on well-drained soils, except deep sands, with pH 4.5 or higher.

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