best fertilizer for white clover

wd17

Well how's things , quick question , have 20 acres of old grass pasture with loads of white clover in it , there was animals on it all winter and spring so its fairly tight , I'd like to know what's the best fertilizer to put on it and how much , can't get slurry on it unfortunately so looking for an cheapish alternative , won't need huge amounts of grass as it will only be for grazing , thanks in advance , any suggestions would be really appreciated

Muckit

You need a compound fertiliser, something with low to no nitrogen in it, all depends on your stocking rate. If you have plenty of clover, that should supply most of the nitrogen required. Just make sure it continues it's existence in the sward, as it doesn't like long periods of drought.

I'd say a bag/acre of 10-10-20 or even 0-10-20 if you are not stocked too heavily.

Others on here might be able to give some other alternatives.

Conmaicne Mara

http://www.teagasc.ie/areaunits/sligoleitrimdonegal/Articles/White_Clover.asp

http://www.agresearch.teagasc.ie/moorepark/Publications/pdfs/MPK%20Dairy%20Levy%20Update%20Series%203.pdf

Sam Kade

I think you need 40% of the sward as clover to get enough N from it. The sward should look as if it's taken over by clover. Did you sow clover seed or is it only wild clover?

wd17

Sam Kade wrote: »

I think you need 40% of the sward as clover to get enough N from it. The sward should look as if it's taken over by clover. Did you sow clover seed or is it only wild clover?

Thanks for the replies , its wild clover and it does look like its taken over , is it worth trying to keep wild clover or should I put nitrogen on it , I'm topping it today and hoping to spread tomorrow