Clover Hay

A Nutritious Feed for Livestock

Clover hay is a go-to choice for farmers looking to give their livestock a nutritious, high-protein feed. It’s especially popular for cattle, sheep, goats, and horses, thanks to its great balance of protein, fibre, and energy. It's not just loved for its nutritional value – it's also highly palatable, making it a favourite among animals.

What is Clover Hay?

Clover hay comes from different types of clover plants, like white clover, red clover, and subterranean clover. It’s often grown alongside grasses, giving it a good mix of nutrients. Being a legume, clover is fantastic at fixing nitrogen in the soil, which helps improve soil health and reduces the need for chemical fertilisers.

Nutritional Value of Clover Hay: NDF, CP, ME

1. Crude Protein (CP): Clover hay is well-known for its high protein levels, usually between 12% and 20%. This makes it a great feed, especially for animals that need a protein boost, like those growing, lactating, or working hard.

1. Neutral Detergent Fibre (NDF): The fibre content of clover hay usually sits between 30% and 50%, meaning it’s highly digestible and doesn’t sit in the stomach too long. This makes it an excellent energy source for livestock.

1. Metabolizable Energy (ME): With ME ranging from 8-12 MJ/kg, clover hay provides the energy livestock need to grow, maintain weight, and stay healthy.

Visual Quality and Grading

When it comes to clover hay, its appearance says a lot about its quality. High-quality clover hay should:

1. Be green to golden - you want to see vibrant colour with minimal yellowing.

1. Have a soft texture and a sweet, fresh aroma.

1. Be free from weeds, dust, or other foreign materials like sticks or stubble.

If the hay’s colour is off or if it smells musty, it’s likely to be less palatable and may not provide the nutrients your animals need.

Best Time to Harvest Clover Hay

To get the best out of clover hay for sale, it’s best to harvest it when it’s just beginning to flower. This is when the plants are at their nutritional peak, with the most protein and energy packed in. Harvesting too late means more fibre and less digestibility, which can make it harder for livestock to get the nutrients they need.

Agricultural and Environmental Benefits

Aside from being great feed, clover hay has environmental benefits too. Because clover is a legume, it fixes nitrogen in the soil, which helps naturally fertilise the land and reduces the need for synthetic fertilisers. It’s also a key part of crop rotation systems, which help keep the soil healthy for future crops.

Farmers often grow clover hay as a winter forage crop, making it a useful feed source during the colder months when other forage options are scarce. It’s also a good option for grazing, with fields fenced off and left to regrow before being harvested for hay.

Frequently Asked Questions about Clover Hay

Q. What is the typical crude protein content in Clover Hay?

A. Clover hay usually contains between 12% and 20% crude protein, depending on the variety and when it’s harvested.

Q. How does the fibre content of Clover Hay compare to other hays?

A. Clover hay has less fibre than many other hay types, with NDF typically ranging from 30% to 50%. This makes it more digestible and provides a good amount of energy.

Q. Can Clover Hay be used for all types of livestock?

A. Yes, clover hay is suitable for a range of animals, including cattle, sheep, goats, and horses. It’s particularly beneficial for animals that need extra protein, such as growing, lactating, or working animals.

Q. What’s the best time to harvest Clover Hay?

A. The best time to harvest clover hay is when the plant is just starting to flower. At this stage, it has the highest levels of protein and energy.