An economic assessment of the potential benefits of replacing grass by grass‐clover mixtures for 18‐month beef systems

AbstractA mathematical model which simulates the potential production and utilization of herbage on perennial ryegrass and grass‐white clover swards in the context of an 18‐month beef enterprise is described. Using the model the potential costs and benefits of replacing grass by grass‐clover mixtures have been determined. Potentially grass‐clover swards receiving no fertilizer N are shown to have annual DM yields equivalent to ryegrass swards receiving at least 300 kg N ha −1. Apart from the benefits of reduced fertilizer N usage there appear to be indirect benefits related to a lower concentrate requirement per head. In consequence, from an economic viewpoint grass‐clover swards potentially compare very favourably with heavily fertilized grass swards, even if account is taken of the opportunity costs of lower stocking rates associated with grass‐clover systems. However, this conclusion awaits experimental confirmation.