About this episode

The episode discusses the role of white clover in low nitrogen dairy farming and its impact on profitability and sustainability.

With increasing pressure on dairy farms to reduce nitrogen inputs whilst maintaining profitability, technologies such as white clover are attracting renewed interest. But how well does clover perform on heavier type soils that are common across the Border, Midlands and Western region, and how can farmers reduce fertiliser and feed nitrogen inputs without compromising grass growth or milk production? To help answer those questions, James Dunne is joined by Helena Walsh, PhD student with Teagasc, who has been leading a farm systems study at Ballyhaise Agricultural College examining the role of white clover in low nitrogen input grazing systems. Helena discusses the establishment and performance of clover swards, the impact on pasture and animal production, nitrogen use efficiency, and the practical lessons farmers can take from this work. For more episodes from the Dairy Edge podcast go to the show page at: https://www.teagasc.ie/animals/dairy/the-dairy-edge-podcast/ The Dairy Edge is a co-production with LastCastMedia.com

People in this episode

Host: James Dunne

Guest: Helena Walsh

Topics covered

• low nitrogen farming
• white clover
• dairy farming
• sustainable agriculture
• nitrogen use efficiency

Keywords

• white clover
• nitrogen inputs
• dairy farms
• grass growth
• milk production
• farm systems study
• pasture production

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Teagasc

Places: Ballyhaise Agricultural College, Border, Midlands and Western region

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