Growth rates and persistence of annual and perennial clovers

This study quantified the temporal productivity of monocultures four annual and two perennial clover species in a summer dry environment at Lincoln University, Canterbury, New Zealand. Clovers were ungrazed first year to enable natural re-establishment annuals, but grazed second year.
 In 2019 cultivar affected (P<0.001) yield early spring (24th September) with ‘Viper’ balansa (Trifolium michelianum) producing 5.0 t DM/ha compared (P<0.05) 3.5 for ‘Arrotas’ arrowleaf (T. vesiculosum), 3.2 ‘Antas’ ‘Woogenellup’ sub clovers subterraneum), 1.6 ‘Kopu’ white repens) 1.2 ‘Relish’ red pratense). grew 111 kg DM/ha/d from 14th 28th August, 123 August 24th September then 183 DM/d 9th October.
 After autumn 2020, persisted, only ‘Napier’ successfully re-established. By 17th September, accumulated matter (t) differed (4.3) (3.7) more than (2.8) (2.2). 72 kg/ha/day 20th which was twice rate other (~30 kg/ha/day). These continued provide grazable herbage through 2020 arrowleaf, Persian resupinatum) poor, each yielded <0.5 t/ha by their plots dominated weeds. results confirm top flowering are productive poor may occur year. They therefore be best suited as one-year specialised crops grazing or conserved feed.
 The earlier growth profiles suggests there is potential increase use environments meet feed requirements ewes lambs.