UMS

AberClaret

AberClaret

Red Clover

AberClaret is a very productive, semi-upright Red Clover with excellent spring and summer growth and provides high yields of protein-rich forage.

Scientific Name

Trifolium pratense

Sowing Rate

8 – 12 kg/ha

Blend Rate

4 – 6 kg/ha

Leaf Size

Large Leaf

Seed Size

528,000 seeds per kg

Source: Pasture varieties used in NSW 2006-2007, Bev Zurbo, 2006

Activity

Spring & Summer

AberClaret grows best in spring and summer, with good levels of winter production.

Key Features

  • Excellent for hay or silage production

  • Yields well under grazing and conservation

  • High in protein, ideal for fattening lambs

  • Great as a break crop that improves soil structure and fertility 

Plant Characteristics

  • Lower oestrogen levels

  • Semi-upright growth habit

  • Large leaf

Where can I grow it?

  • Suited to high rainfall zones

  • Some summer rainfall will significantly improve persistence

  • Performs very well in heavy soils

Download Tech Sheet

Frequently Asked Questions

Soil Type

Best suited to well-drained, fertile, slightly acid to neutral soils.

Good base rates of phosphorus are necessary for maximum DM production especially during the establishment phase. Established AberClaret clover will benefit from annual phosphorus and potassium applications if hay/silage is being produced.

AberClaret should be sown no deeper than 10mm, at a rate of 4-6 kg/ha (in pasture mix) / 8-12 kg (pure sward). New plants growth can be sensitive to frost damage so avoid sowing in frost-prone paddocks or sow outside frost-prone periods. Inoculation with Group B strain of rhizobia is essential for nodulation and nitrogen fixation.

Monitor regularly for insect damage during emergence from pests such as red-legged earth mite (RLEM) and lucerne flea and spray if required.

Always use knockdown herbicide to ensure sowing into a clean seedbed. Monitor for post-emergent weeds and spray as required. Always read the label or consult your UMS agronomist prior to spraying as herbicide tolerances can differ between red clover varieties.

Do not overgraze in the first season but light grazing will help to enhance production levels. Avoid set stocking, rotational grazing is essential to ensure persistence, due to AberClaret’s upright growth habit.

Makes high quality hay that has good leaf-to-stem ratio. Can be included in permanent perennial mixtures, adding high quality in the first 1–2 years. Potential to increase feed quality when sown with summer crops or combines well with short-term ryegrasses.

Red clover can contain levels of oestrogen, which may adversely affect the performance of breeding stock. By choosing a low oestrogen variety such as AberClaret the risk is reduced. To optimise livestock weight gain and health, ensure livestock are vaccinated and drenched. To prevent nutritional problems, make gradual diet changes when introducing hungry stock to lush pastures. Contact an UMS agronomist for more information.