Looking at Red Clover, Insects and Soil Fertility

[@JohnPawseySPF]

One of the greatest pleasures of my KZbin Channel is the conversation I am able to have with anyone who makes constructive comments. You are one of those people and I thank you for that. John

[@andrewmabbett2955]

John Pawsey hi john I came across your channel and find it all really interesting as being a farmers son having commercial land aswell as some organic ground, the 2 variations in farming really interest me and love learning new things all the time, having worked in east Anglia when I was 17 for summer and autumn at harvest it was such an eye opener seeing how the other side of the country farms as I'm from Wales I know will never forget that experience and would definitely loves to get back at some point even if it was for a few weeks during harvest, I will continue to watch your channel as they videos are very good. Thanks Andrew

[@davidtrees1714]

Thanks for the reply. I know you know far far more than I do bud. I in now way ask with any attitude or knowing much at all. Just sharing thoughts. You explanations as always are gracious and appreciated...LoL. Yes I will enjoy seeing more of anything that you can show me to learn. Consider me a sponge as regards learning. Thanks again.

[@davidtrees1714]

Wow. Thank you again for your kind words. I figured at 50 I had better ask as many proper farmers how they do it before I start as I am starting a fresh. A new career of sorts. I said to my wife Colleen, I feel a bit silly asking sometimes. I would however, hate to feel regret more in later life, so I am going for it now. I have two younger sons who are keenly interested too. So I know when I hit 60, they will be just 19 + 20 and have the energy I need... Here's hoping your day is a great one.

[@davidtrees1714]

Fantastic video John. Will watch it again. For those of us who live in a city and cannot get to visit, which I would do in a heart beat if you were a tiny bit closer. Love to drive one of those there tractors (said in my best cornish accent). I was wishing that you could have shown a bit more of the soil and break it open and actually point out different things that an upcoming farmer might need to learn about and understand. Seriously a big thanks for me here in Sunny Manchester. Cheers David

[@JohnPawseySPF]

Thank you. I am still learning and will make many more mistakes yet. Good Luck and do let us know how you get on!

[@IRDeezlSmoke]

John, red clover seed harvest usually starts close to september 1 and can go into october some years. Pink or red colored nodule insides are what you wish to see. The roots should be covered with clusters of what look like a wart. Cut them open and they should be pink or red inside to be a viable nodule. N nodules can fix many pounds of near perfect N for the following crops.

[@JohnPawseySPF]

A very good point! The only problem with red clover in that situation is that it can grow very tall and can smother the crop that you are growing. It possibly would work with lower growing clovers which is something that I should look at. Thank you for your suggestion. JP

[@IRDeezlSmoke]

The clover looks great John. Very similar type to the red clover we grow. I am surprised you did not show the nitrogen nodules on the roots. A healthy legume should have many pink or red nodules on the roots that contain a near perfect form of nitrogen that virtually does not leach. As we grow the clover for seed, we have to spray for aphids and nitidulids or they will devastate the seed crop. We have to be very careful with the spray to reduce or eliminate harm to the pollinating bees. Thanks.

[@davidtrees1714]

Totally enjoyed that I could see the results of the clover being cut and laid down for a period. The roots were much different to what I expected, especially the tops. They looked like mini Daikon Radishes LoL. Does it affect the pending crops viability, to leave a 10 metre strip of it around the edge of the field for those beneficial bugs and critters? Just mowing it to stop it going to seed if that isn't what you would want? I saw that done somewhere to create habitat.

[@JohnPawseySPF]

Yes, I must look and see those nodules before we finish ploughing. What time of the year do you harvest your clover?

[@JohnPawseySPF]

Hi David. If I have time I will give it another look and also to look at IRDeelSmoke's suggestion (see other comments).

[@JohnPawseySPF]

Thank you Nathan, I will take a look.

[@jacobfurnish7450]

Respond to me if you want to know anything about nitrogen fixation and soil health. I have been studying for 2 years using a lot of time doing so!

[@JohnPawseySPF]

No income, but hopefully income in yield in the next crop! We have harvested it for seed before, but this year there were too many docks in it. It was actually under sown in a crop of winter wheat in spring 2012.

[@JohnPawseySPF]

We try and cut the clover over a period of time to that there are always nearby flowers for pollinators to go to, but usually when we cut 80% of the plants are going to seed so no longer good for bees etc. and we also have to try and get it cut before the seed becomes viable which we are not always successful at!

[@natd6084]

John could you not direct drill winter wheat straight into that red clover and allow the red clover to continue living?

[@natd6084]

John, have you ever been on "The Farming Forum"? The have a subject area specifically about cover crops which may be of interest to you.

[@JohnPawseySPF]

Thank you. I am going to investigate!

[@MsTokies]

have you ever though of collecting clover seeds so they become naturalized to your area? over time. ive been wondering here in the usa if there is something better then clover. everyone always uses it hell i use it. but i feel stupid for depending on "seed" mix for cover crop. id love to get a really solid naturalized cover crop mix for my area. clover isn't as cheap a seed mix as it once was

[@JohnPawseySPF]

Because we often cut the clover too late we do get self sown seed but you have to be careful as red clover can become prone to various diseases if grown on a tight rotation. I completely understand what you are saying, but there are pitfall to that approach. Good luck!

[@austenrighton]

did this field create much income. i assume the clover was planted last autumn.

[@Dollapfin]

I saw that 100 pounds of a clovers nitrogen yielded the same as 250 pounds of added nitrogen. Maybe the plant found it easier or used less energy in getting it.

[@jacobfurnish7450]

clover fixes atmospheric nitrogen from the soil

[@liammulligan1279]

I have natural red clover in Paddocks .how do I maintain it ?

[@JohnPawseySPF]

Do you have any animals to graze it with? We used to cut and mulch ours and then plough it in but now we graze it with sheep. You do have to be very careful with red clover and breeding ewes though so you would need to find out when they would need to the off the clover either side of tupping. It's very good for fattening lambs once they have got a taste for it

[@liammulligan1279]

@@JohnPawseySPF cows and calves on it.ive never seen as much of it before . I just don't want to loose it

[@jacobfurnish7450]

try use nitrogen fixing C4 plants (If red clover isnt one of those) also make sure you inoculate the red clover with the correct rhizobia bacteria.

[@JohnPawseySPF]

Hi Jacob and thanks for that useful comment. Not sure if we can grow nitrogen fixing C4 plants in the UK? Also a very good point about the inoculation. Many thanks.

[@dougfranco9995]

fruit trees

[@JohnPawseySPF]

Doug Franco it has been considered!