Whether it's summer or winter, he's never out of clover

While clover has a bad reputation for causing bloat, one Eastern Cape farmer achieved good results with this silage, as the following article revealed.

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Grass, clover and mixed pastures are gaining in popularity in the north-eastern Cape. Grass pastures in particular are in favour, but a number of farmers are cautious of clover because of the threat of bloat.

Aubrey Sephton of Woodcliffe, Maclear, however, believes in planting only clover and has some substantial results to support his faith in them.

Sephton started artificial mixed pastures in 1947. These all failed, mainly because the grass pushed out the clover. He then decided to try clover alone, which proved very successful, and he now has around 120ha planted to this feed.

From mid-July until the end of September, the clover pastures are grazed by sheep. The average stocking rate on 1ha is 35 ewes (Merino) with lambs for two months. Apart from a salt/mineral lick, the sheep receive no additional supplements while on these pastures.