Cultivation

Silage and Haylage — Red Clover

Trifolium pratense L.

Red clover is a difficult crop to ensile due to a deficiency in sugars necessary for lactic acid fermentation. To obtain high-quality feed, wilting, the use of additives, or mixing with grasses is required.

In the reference 64 varieties crop Red clover, where this is mentioned in the description.

Red clover is characterized by a low sugar content, which hinders the natural accumulation of lactic acid during ensiling. Harvesting the crop during the budding stage presents a particular challenge, as natural fermentation requires additional measures to intensify the process.

Haylage production is a preferred method of conservation for this crop. Wilting the plant mass to a moisture content of 50–55% suppresses the growth of undesirable microflora, helps preserve nutrient-rich leaves, and creates optimal conditions for the activity of lactic acid bacteria.

General information about the subject — on the page Silage and haylage.

Sources8

Varieties of Red clover mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.