White clover yields dual-purpose benefits
Case study: Rob and Eliza Tole
Location: Cressy, northern Midlands, Tasmania
Property size: 545ha
Average annual rainfall: 680mm plus irrigation
Soils: Heavy black cracking clay with banks running up to a light loam
Enterprises: Sheepmeat (lamb production and trading), summer and winter irrigated cropping
Key messages
- White clover plays a dual-purpose role in a Tasmanian mixed farming system — high-value seed and a productive spring–summer pasture.
- A mix of lucerne, perennial ryegrass, winter cereals and annual ryegrass and forage brassicas provide additional backgrounding and finishing options.
- Pastures are selected to match individual paddock characteristics and their ability to provide high-quality feed for a year-round lamb finishing operation and fit with the cropping program.
- Ad-lib barley, mixed with a feed-restricting supplement, increases lamb growth rates through additional energy supply
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