Herbage production and population regeneration characteristics of nine subterranean clover (Trifolium subterraneumL.) cultivars were measured on a steep, dry, north-facing hillside at Ballantrae Hill Country Research Station, New Zealand. A close, linear relationship (r= 0.914) between subterranean clover herbage production and flowering date was observed. The latest flowering cultivar, #x2018;Tallarook#x2019;, gave the highest herbage yields (average = 770 kg dry matter (DM)/ha per year) and, in the latter stages of the evaluation, was superior in seedling regeneration. Exceptions to the general relationship between time of flowering and herbage accumulation were: #x2018;Howard#x2019; in 1983/84#x2014;higher production than predicted because of exceptionally good seedling regeneration; #x2018;Clare#x2019; in both years#x2014;lower production because of poor persistence (3 years); and #x2018;Mt Barker#x2019; in both years#x2014;lower production because of poor initial establishment. The mid-late or late-flowering cultivars #x2018;Larisa#x2019;, #x2018;Mt Barker#x2019;, and #x2018;Tallarook#x2019; all appeared tolerant of intensive sheep grazing and persistent in this environment as a result of their predominantly small-leaved, dense growth habit. A late-flowering cultivar of similar morphology to #x2018;Tallarook#x2019;, but containing little or no oestrogen, would be best suited to environments similar to Ballantrae.
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