Legumes
Clovers are an integral component of pastures in New Zealand, providing not only a source of nitrogen to the pasture, but also a significant improvement in quality of the pasture for grazing animals. The dynamics of the grass/clover balance means that clover is usually the minor component of a pasture, at least after the first year, and its contribution is seldom over 30% and often much less. However the animal performance from pastures improves with increasing clover contents, up to around 70% clover. From this perspective it is highly desirable to maximise the clover present in pastures.
Red clover Red clover
Red clover is a tap rooted legume. Agricom markets Relish and Sensation Red clover.
Sub clover Sub clover
Sub clovers are annual clovers suitable for dryland pastures. Agricom markets Coolamon, a mid season flowering, moderately hard seeded subterranean clover.
Balansa clover Balansa clover
Balansa clover is a hollow stemmed, multi branched annual clover. Agricom markets Viper, a late flowering long season balansa clover that can grow to 1 metre tall but remains prostrate when grazed.
Clover mixes Clover mixes
Agricom markets Relish Advantage, a mix of Relish red clover and Tribute white clover.
Lucerne Lucerne
Lucerne (also know as alfafa) is a pereninial legume and is a major forage crop in New Zealand. Agricom markets Torlesse, a winter dormant lucerne cultivar with high production.
Strawberry clover Strawberry clover
Strawberry clover is a perennial clover with a greater tolerance of difficult soils and climates than white clover.