This is the proceedings of the third formal meeting on the project 'Development of White Clover' held by the FAO European Lowland Pastures Sub-network in Estonia in late August, 1995. The plenary papers, designed to set the scene, and the poster presentations, covering a wide range of white clover technology, are brought together in this publication. It will form a valuable reference base, not only for all members of the Sub-network, but for other researchers in Europe and elsewhere who are interested in the advancement of white clover technology (and indeed forage legume technology in general).
This publication follows - 'White Clover in Europe: The State of the Art', the proceedings of a meeting held in 1993 at Arhus, Denmark (published as FAO REUR Technical Series No. 29) and 'White Clover Development in Europe', the proceedings of a meeting held in 1990 at Polcenigo, Italy (published as FAO REUR Technical Series No.19 in 1991).
Development of white clover has been the sole project of the Subnetwork since 1987 and researchers in nearly 30 countries now participate. This response underlines the increased recognition of the role and potential of white clover in European grassland as a component of grazed and/or cut swards. White clover is a key plant in sustainable, environmentally friendly systems of animal production. Biological nitrogen from white clover (and other forage legumes) will be increasingly exploited as an alternative to fertilizer nitrogen with its reliance on non-renewable fossil fuel energy for its manufacture. The proven high nutritional value of white clover and other forage legumes will also be increasingly exploited in low cost, low input systems of animal production (though it must be borne in mind that low input does not equate to low technology input). Nevertheless, it has to be acknowledged that the uptake of forage legume technology by grassland farmers has not been as rapid as envisaged except in countries when fertilizer nitrogen has been priced out of the market. In other countries, for example in the European Union, nitrogen-fertilized swards are still the favoured option with the exception of enthusiastic individuals or groups backed up by researchers and/or advisers.
As a result of the research and development carried out by Subnetwork members, effective management guidelines have been devised with the aim of optimizing the performance and persistence of white clover, though one or two aspects require further elucidation. Thus the project will continue but in addition the Sub-network will undertake a parallel project based on the production and utilization of multi-species long term and permanent swards under extensive management.
John Frame, Laision Officer
