MEADOW, PASTURE AND FODDER CROPS
CLOVER (MEDICAGO SATIVA)RED CLOVER (TRIFOLIUM PRATENSE)EGYPTIAN CLOVER (TRIFOLIUM ALEXANDRINUM)LOLIUM MULTIFLORUM (ITALIAN RYEGRASS- ANNUAL RYEGRASS)
CLOVER (MEDICAGO SATIVA)
- It is a upright growing perennial plant species with habitus. It is resistant to drought thanks to its taproots reaching 8 to 10 meters deep. But it should not be left dehydrated as it is mowed
frequently. It should be watered every 10 to 15 days.
- Rhizobium bacteria colonizes the roots creating nodules. These nodules fix free nitrogen in the atmosphere into the soil, thus producing nitrogen.
- Its flowers form in clusters. It reaches 1.20 meters in diameter. It is originated in Anatolia. It was later brought to Greece and the Roman Empire, which led to it becoming widespread. It is also commonly known as Alfalfa or Lucerne.
- It has a lifespan of 3 to 10 years, depending on where you live. It can be harvested 6 to 10 times per
- It yields up to 2000-2500 kg dry grass per decare. It is superior to other fodder crops in terms of
nutrients, vitamins and minerals.
- * As the plant grows older, its thin and soft stem becomes woody. Since its roots do not yet reach sufficient depth in its first year, it is not tolerant to drought. It develops drought resistance in its 2nd and 3rd years.
- It likes soils that are high in PH. In soils with PHs greater than 6.5, the plant attains optimum growth and provides ample yield. Soils with PHs lower than 6.5 definitely require agricultural liming.
- It should be sowed during autumn season in climates suitable for citrus and olive growing.
- The crop depth should not exceed 1.5 cm. So, soil cultivation should be really high quality.
- 3 to 4 kg of seed is used in broadcast sowing (3.5 to 4.5 kg for burred seed).
- As autumn turns to winter, it builds up nutrient reserves in its roots, which are used later in Spring for sprouts. So, supplementary fertilizer should be applied as winter closes in.
- Harvesting is done at the beginning of its blooming period. Harvesting height should not be lower than 5 cm. Rooting up the offshoots at the root-crown in a deeper manner leads to poor yield for the
- Excessive drying (after harvest) results in the loss of all nutritional value in the grass; whereas if the grass stored insufficiently dried, it results in heating and spoilage. Wilting the grass for 1 or 2 days in
the field after harvest should be sufficient.
- The highest yield is achieved in 2nd, 3rd and 4th years. Therefore, it should not be moved from the field before 3 years.
- The highest annual grass yield is achieved in the 4th harvest. Rule of Thumb: Under normal conditions, Alfalfa yields 1 ton of green grass per harvest and 1/4 of this is estimated as dry grass. A milch cow can be fed a maximum of 8 kg dry matter of green alfalfa per day. Nutrition solely consisting of green alfalfa, however, is not recommended. It is mixed with poaceae and corn silage,
as the saponins that wet alfalfa grass contains in the amount of 1.5 to 8 % negatively impacts the blood circulation of the animal.
- Each cow may be feed up to 4kg of dry grass per day.
- Since alfalfa is high in protein and low in carbohydrate, alfalfa silage is mixed with carbohydrate-rich poaceae (corn, sorghum-sudangrass).
RED CLOVER (TRIFOLIUM PRATENSE)
- It is cultivated in high precipitation areas or irrigable areas.
- Red clover is used for dry grass production and grazing purposes.
- It has a thin stem and is multifoil.
- Red clover is a fodder crop especially suitable for cattle breeding.
- It can be sown as pure stand or in mixture with poaceae.
- It produces the highest yield in summer months, in cool areas with regular rainfall.
- It is quite tolerant to cold.
- It is capable of soil structuring.
EGYPTIAN CLOVER (TRIFOLIUM ALEXANDRINUM)
- It is a multifoil plant with a soft stem, and produces grass that is highly nutritious for cattle.
- It grows upright. It can reach up to 100 cm tall.
- It is quite vulnerable to cold. It usually likes warm climates.
- It does well in neutral or slightly alkaline lime-rich soils that are not very heavy.
- It is best if sown in the autumn, in the months of October-November, in regions with temperate winters.
- When harvested in blooming session, Egyptian clover yields an average of 2000 to 4000 kg/da wet grass or 400 to 800 kg/da dry grass.
LOLIUM MULTIFLORUM (ITALIAN RYEGRASS- ANNUAL RYEGRASS)
- Annual Ryegrass is an annual crop that is planted in early spring and harvested by the beginning July. Harvested 4 or 5 times per year, annual ryegrass is grown in wet bottom lands. It is quite rich in digestible crude protein content. Dairy farming establishments are recommended to use it in their feed rations.
- Annual ryegrass can be fed as green grass and through grazing, as well as utilized as dry grass or silage.