Webinar to focus on 'crucial role' of white clover in pasture-based systems
Teagasc is to host a webinar tomorrow (Wednesday, March 25) on the key benefits and new innovations of white clover in grass-based production systems.
According to Teagasc, the response of Ireland’s grassland farmers to the challenges of reducing chemical nitrogen (N) fertiliser use, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, and increasing N use efficiency (NUE) "has been very positive".
“Over the last three years (2022-2025), total N usage has averaged 313,424t, a 17% reduction on the previous three years.”
“In line with the chemical N reduction, white clover usage increased to an average of 353t of seed (2022-2025), just over a 40% increase on the previous three years.
“This clearly shows that Irish grassland farmers are adopting lower chemical N input systems," it said.
According to Teagasc, white clover has “a crucial role to play in sustainable Irish pasture-based milk and meat production systems”.
“The advantages of high-quality feed, N fixation benefits have led to a resurgence of interest in its use, as a means of increasing the economic return and reducing environmental footprints in pasture-based milk and meat production systems.”
Webinar
In the upcoming webinar, titled 'Clover: The Move is On', Dr. Sarah Walsh, grassland researcher at Teagasc, will introduce new aspects of research into the legume.
Dr. Walsh said: “Recent research focuses on improving the compatibility between perennial ryegrass varieties and white clover to help maintain stable white clover levels in swards, emphasising that white clover stability is essential for farmers, as findings show that persistent white clover varieties can increase white clover content and enhance N fixation.
“Selecting the most suitable grass and white clover varieties for each farming system is crucial for developing productive swards, which in turn supports improved grazing performance throughout the season.”
Dr. Michael Egan, grassland researcher at Teagasc, leads the Clover150 programme and will present the most recent results.
He said: “If farmers are to achieve the benefits of animal production and reductions in chemical N fertiliser, an establishment plan for white clover needs to be put in place.
“The optimum months are April and May for establishing white clover in swards through either over-sowing, or reseeding, however establishment guidelines must be followed to ensure the optimal balance of grass and white clover in swards.
According to Dr. Egan, the Clover150 group have now achieved high levels of the legume on their farms.
“They are growing close to 14 tonne of grass dry matter per hectare (t DM/ha) with 175kg N per hectare (N/ha) input”.
Dairy farmer Jim White, from Co. Tipperary and member of the Clover150 programme, added: “Clover has provided my farm with the ability to maintain more than 13.5t DM/ha grown, while reducing chemical N fertiliser by 70kg N/ha.
“White clover is now part of our grazing system.
"We are reducing our dependency on chemical N and have adapted our grazing management in a way that clover is maintained and adding real value to our farming system”.
White’s farm now has more than 70% of the swards with an average sward clover content of 20%.
Prof. Michael O’Donovan, head of grassland research at Teagasc, will highlight the evidence base on the animal performance gains from perennial ryegrass/white clover swards, across enterprises.
Prof. O’Donovan said: “The animal performance increase across milk production, beef production (suckler beef and dairy calf for beef) and sheep systems with white clover swards is consistent and repeatable.
“We expect the use of white clover to increase again in 2026.
“The volatility of chemical N prices looks like it will continue in 2026.
“The necessity for grassland farmers to transition to grass/clover swards reducing their dependence on bought in N has never been more important.”
He added: “New research and innovations will assist farmers establish, manage and maximise white clover’s potential within productive, sustainable grassland systems”.
'Clover: The Move is On' starts at 7:30pm on Wednesday, March 25 and will be hosted by Dr. Emer Kennedy, dairy enterprise leader, Teagasc.
Registration is available through the Teagasc website.
