Page 16 - MWC 2-24-2022s

The Midwest Cattleman · February 24, 2022 · P16

More Reasons to Love Red Clover

Dr. Jimmy Henning, Extension Professor, Forage Specialist, University of Kentucky
Clover has long been teracts the vasoconstric- cue. Even more significant, the red clover mineral shed
known to benefit ruminant tion caused by the toxic en- other studies have shown their winter hair coat better
producers because of its high dophyte of tall fescue. The toxic fescue symptoms are and experienced less heat
yields, biological nitrogen constriction of the exterior alleviated by feeding mineral stress in hot, humid weath-
fixation, summertime pro- blood vessels makes rumi- that contains 20% red clover. er than those fed the non-red
duction and dilution of the nants much less able to regu- Could red clover be the ‘silver clover mineral.
negative effects of tall fescue. late their body temperature, bullet’ for toxic fescue that Red clover improves
New research from the US- causing heat stress in sum- we have been looking for? It rumen fermentation. Rumen
DA-ARS Food Animal Pro- mer and cold stress in winter. sure seems like it to me. microorganisms do some
duction Research Unit em- Red clover has been found to Addition of clover to toxic magical things, like convert-
bedded in the UK College of contain a natural compound tall fescue pastures has long ing forage fiber into steak.
Agriculture Food and Envi- that actually causes these been known to improve con- One of the things you would
ronment is adding even more constricted blood vessels to ception rates of cattle. It is change about the rumen if
reasons to love red clover. dilate, restoring blood flow also known that isoflavones you could is the way that the
Red clover directly coun- and relieving temperature are estrogen-like compounds microorganisms digest for-
stress. These compounds, (phytoestrogens) which can age protein. Some rumen mi-
called isoflavones, are also suppress reproduction when croorganisms will excessive-
present in white clover and fed at high levels, especially ly break down forage protein
alfalfa, but at lower levels in sheep. USDA-ARS scien- and release ammonia. Red
than red clover. tist Dr. Brittany Harlowe has clover suppresses some of
Surprisingly small amounts begun to study the effects of the rumen bacteria that are
of red clover in the diet have high levels of red clover on especially active in degrad-
large effects. Research by the reproductive efficiency ing forage protein. This lets
USDA-ARS group found that in cattle. Her preliminary re- more forage protein flow in-
pastures overseeded with red sults found reproductive ef- tact from the rumen, improv-
clover as well as hay with 15 ficiency was not suppressed ing animal performance.
and 30% red clover improved in heifers fed a mineral that Better than alfalfa? Alfal-
growth of steers and relaxed contained 20% red clover fa has long been known as
the exterior blood vessels of compared to a non-red clover the queen of forage crops for
Small amounts of red clover in the diet
have large effects when grazing fescue. steers grazing toxic tall fes- control. The heifers receiving continued on page 27