[Gpdd] CARE Red Clover

[Penny Charlesworth]

Hi Suzy,

Thanks for the accolade! I think that everyone on the digest is an expert in something and together we make up quite a formidable team.

I sometimes give the Piggyfriends white clover mixed in with their daily forage. At this time of year, in England, it is frosted, muddy and damaged by the recent snow so I will avoid it now until the spring. I grow the white form  ( trifolium repens ) just because there was a lot of it growing here when we moved in and it is kept under control in the piggies' special veg patch.

They only get the red form ( trifolium pratense ) when I am looking after an ancient tortoise, who comes to stay with us when her owners are on holiday. She is a fussy eater and often has to be coaxed into eating with her favourite red clover flowers. A patch grows in her owners' garden so I have to go and pick some there for the tortoise and I and share it with the piggies.

Piggies enjoy both forms of clover but it is high in calcium, with a high Ca:P ratio so feed with care. The young leaves are the tastiest and contain more beneficial minerals.

Here are some words of wisdom from Galen's Garden, an English firm that supplies all kinds of piggy remedies and feeds ( saves me a lot of typing ). There is a picture too. http://www.galensgarden.co.uk/herbs/redclover.php I am always aware that plants may have different names in other countries.

I can also recommend red clover capsules for menopausal slaves!!

My knowledge of cows is limited but maybe we have a farmer amongst us? I vaguely recall reading something about red clover increasing milk yield.

Penny and the Piggyfriends.