Cattle readily consume clover, a common legume forage, which is an important component of many pasture systems worldwide. It is intentionally included in grass mixtures to enhance the overall feeding quality available to livestock. Clover benefits the animals’ diet and contributes positively to soil health by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Understanding the advantages and potential challenges associated with feeding clover is important for effective herd management.
Nutritional Value of Clover
Clover significantly elevates the nutritional profile of a cow’s diet compared to grass-only pastures. The crude protein content often ranges from 15% to 25%, which is substantially higher than most common grasses. This high protein level is essential for supporting growth, milk production, and overall muscle maintenance in cattle.
The plant’s lower structural fiber and higher digestibility mean that cows process and utilize nutrients more efficiently. This improved digestibility allows cattle to increase their total feed intake, leading to better animal performance. Clover also provides beneficial minerals, including higher levels of calcium and phosphorus, which are necessary for skeletal health and metabolic functions.
Common Varieties in Cattle Feed
Several clover varieties are cultivated and mixed with grasses for cattle grazing, each offering unique growth characteristics:
- White Clover (Trifolium repens) is a perennial widely utilized in temperate regions, known for its creeping growth habit, excellent ground cover, and persistence under continuous grazing pressure.
- Red Clover (Trifolium pratense) is a short-lived perennial or biennial with an upright growth habit and high forage yield. It is often preferred for hay and silage production and has a higher protein concentration than white clover.
- Alsike Clover (Trifolium hybridum) is a semi-erect perennial often included in pasture mixes for its tolerance to poorly drained or slightly acidic soils.
- Sweet Clover (Melilotus spp.) is also grown, but its use requires careful management due to specific toxicity risks that arise when it is improperly cured as hay.
Managing Health Risks from Clover Consumption
The primary health concern when grazing clover-rich pastures is frothy bloat, a condition that can be rapidly fatal. Bloat occurs when soluble proteins in the rapidly digested clover trap fermentation gases in a stable foam within the rumen. This foam prevents the cow from belching, causing the rumen to distend and put pressure on the lungs and heart.
To mitigate the risk of frothy bloat, cattle should be introduced to clover pastures gradually, and producers should avoid turning hungry animals onto lush, wet swards. Feeding a high-fiber source, such as dry hay or straw, immediately before turnout helps dilute the clover content in the rumen. Anti-foaming agents, like poloxalene, administered in feed or via a bloat block, can also help break down the gas-trapping foam.
Another risk involves phytoestrogens, plant compounds that mimic estrogen, found particularly in Red Clover. High concentrations of the isoflavones formononetin and biochanin A can potentially impact the reproductive health of breeding stock. While cattle are generally less susceptible than sheep, high intake may be associated with sub-optimal reproductive performance, especially when the plant is stressed by drought.
A separate issue is sweet clover poisoning, which occurs when moldy sweet clover hay or silage is consumed. Mold converts the naturally occurring coumarin into dicoumarol, a powerful anticoagulant that interferes with Vitamin K metabolism. This can lead to internal hemorrhaging, a potentially fatal condition, requiring producers to avoid moldy sweet clover hay and test feed for dicoumarol concentration.