EVALUATION OF NEW ZEALAND BRED WHITE CLOVER CULTIVARS UNDER ROTATIONAL GRAZING AND SET STOCKING WITH SHEEP

Abstract

The four New Zealand bred white clover cultivars. Tahora, Hula, Pltau and Kopu were evaluated for two years under a high stocking rate in self contained sheep grazed farmlets comparing year round rotational grazing with set stocking. Tahora was clearly superior under set stocking, yielding 50% more than Huia and 140% more than Pitau and Kopu. Under rotational grazing all performed well with only Kopu showing a 20% advantage. An unseasonal early summer drought in the second year showed all cultivars to be highly susceptible to moisture stress at this time under rotational grazing. Large scale death of clover occurred reducing clover content to 2-3% in autumn with no recovery by mid winter. Under set stocking, although severely wilted, all clovers quickly recovered to their former level following rain The management implications are discussed. Keywords: Tahora. Huia, Pitau, Kopu, grazing management, drought, cultivar choice