Benefits of Multi-species Swards

In recent years, multi-species swards have become increasingly popular amongst farmers due to their ability to produce high yields of quality forage, with greatly reduced rates of nitrogen fertiliser compared to ryegrass-only swards. Multi-species swards are composed of three or more species. Swards commonly include grasses such as Perennial ryegrass and Timothy, herbs such as plantain and chicory, and legumes such as red and white clover.

Buy Multi-Species Sward online here

Main Benefits

• Diversification of species in the sward improves intake and animal performance.
• Much more tolerant of drought than a grass sward due to deep rooting structure
• Soil quality is often improved. Soil structure improvements are also a benefit due to the root systems creating more channels for water and air to pass through the soil.
• Good clover content in the sward will allow nitrogen fertiliser applications to be reduced by more than half in summer.       
• Produce similar DM yields to perennial ryegrass swards at significantly lower rates of inorganic N fertiliser. This could be worth up to 7 bags 18.6.12 / ac.
• Plantain and chicory help to avoid losses of nitrogen on the farm: reduced leaching, better N use by livestock, and fewer emissions from urine patches.
• Higher rates of carbon sequestration due to deeper root depths.
• They are also very beneficial for biodiversity and in particular pollinators who feed on the flowering plants in multi-species swards.

Establishing Multi-species

• Spray off old sward.
• Apply lime as indicated by soil test results (Good soil pH is vital)
• Cultivate and roll to create a fine and firm seedbed.
• Sow and roll well after sowing. Good soil-to-seed contact is essential for quick and successful establishment.
• Apply three bags of 10:10:20
• Monitor new sward for pests (e.g., Slugs)
• Graze when plants withstand the pull test and when plantain has six true leaves and chicory seven true leaves per plant (approximately eight weeks after sowing)

Multi-species grazing management.

• Rotationally graze for best results (e.g., graze 1-3 days, rest 25-30 days)
• Target post-grazing residual of 6cm
• Avoid hard grazing or grazing under poor ground conditions to protect the herbs and red clover from damage and potential loss of productivity and persistency.
• Maintain adequate P & K indices. An application of nitrogen in spring may help kickstart growth before clover becomes active in May. Additional nitrogen shouldn’t be necessary during the main growing season if the sward contains a good proportion of legumes/clovers.
• Weed control options are very limited and the only option currently available is mechanical. i.e., cutting.

DAFM Multi-Species Swards Measure 2024

DAFM aims to incentivise farmers in 2024 to establish Multi Species Swards, which will reduce the reliance on nitrogen fertilisers and promote a more sustainable method of farming. A financial contribution will be provided to participating applicants to offset part of the cost that farmers will incur in the establishment of these swards. The 2024 payment is €300 per hectare, to a maximum area of 20 hectares for the establishment of Multi-specie Swards sown between the 16th of July 2023 and 15th July 2024. Closing date for applications of 15th May 2024.

Shane Fitzgerald, Living Proof Future farmer.

Shane is farming in Portlaw in Co. Waterford. There is 20% of his milking platform with multi-species incorporated. This receives no chemical nitrogen and still grows the same tonnage of dry matter as his grass clover swards do. Pictured are Shane’s cows grazing a multi-species sward.

Sustainability Action Payment

Tirlán has committed to assisting our dairy suppliers in reducing the carbon footprint, enhancing water quality and improving air quality, soil health and biodiversity of farms in line with our sustainability strategy, Living Proof and  our Sustainability Action Payment.

First Published 29 April 2024