Optimum white clover content for dairy pastures

Abstract

In February 1996, 48 Friesian and Jersey cows grazed pastures containing nominally 0, 25, 50 or 75% of dry matter (DM) as white clover with the balance mainly C4 grasses at either ad lib. (50 kg DM/cow/day) or restricted (25 kg DM/cow/day) allowances. The aim of the trial was to measure the effect of clover content on milk yield and composition, and to determine the optimum clover content for milk production. Milk yields of cows on the ad lib. allowance grazing 25% clover were 22% higher (P