Quantifying the value proposition for white clover persistence on a New Zealand summer-dry hill-country farm

Abstract

The improvement in forage quality and quantity of summer-dry hill country pasture resulting from the introduction of clover is well recognised. However, ensuring the persistence of the commonly availablecultivars is challenging, in the face of seasonal moisture stress, intensive grazing, competition from established well-adapted pasture species, low soil fertility and low soil pH – conditions typical of the East Coast of the North Island. Here we quantify the value proposition associated with the introduction of white clover into a case study on a Gisborne sheep and beef farm, using a six-step process. A topographically explicit approach is taken, using an understanding of the underlying spatial variability, based on a combination of soil and pasture measurements, APSIM simulation modelling of pasture growth and farm system modelling of enterprise performance. We show that from a baseline of a typical low-fertility, diverse species hill country pasture, white clover introduction can increase spring and summer forage consumption by 17%, enabling inclusion of an additional 6-month bull finishing enterprise generating a 32% greater carcass weight production and leading to a 49% improvement in farm system EBIT. This represents a positive net present value of over $360,000 for the original investment in white clover establishment into existing pastures.

Integrating Digital Technologies to Aid Grassland Productivity and Sustainability

“…For example, when adding legumes into a hill farm, Dodd et al (2020) determined that significant increases in both pasture and animal production were achievable, while reducing nitrogen fertilizer inputs. Legume introduction was targeted at specific micro-geoclimatic zones on the farm, using GIS mapping.…”

White Clover (Trifolium repens L.) Benefits in Grazed Pastures and Potential Improvements

“…The contribution of white cover to New Zealand's direct and dependent industry Gross Domestic Product has been estimated to be NZ$2.35 billion in 2015/16 [127] when milk solid payout was about NZ$4.40 per kg milk solids whereas now that is closer to NZ$9 per kg milk solids [128]. The inclusion of white clover in low-fertility hill country pasture in New Zealand has been modelled to result in a 17% increase in spring and summer forage consumption generating a 32% greater cattle carcass weight production per ha and leading to a 49% improvement in farm system profit [129]. This represents a positive net present value of over NZ$360,000 for the original investment in white clover establishment into existing pastures.…”