Spelling pastures

Sheep farmers can boost subterranean clover populations in hill country pastures by spelling selected areas for four to five weeks over late spring and early summer, allowing the plant to set seed for germination with autumn rainfall. Sub clover provides high-quality feed in late winter and spring, ideal for lactating ewes and promoting higher lamb growth rates, while also fixing nitrogen to enhance pasture grasses’ quality. Active management, including maintaining 80% ground cover of sub clover and spelling up to 20% of paddocks annually for re-seeding, is crucial, along with grazing hard over summer and autumn for optimal germination and over-sowing with complementary cultivars for extended productivity.

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