Breaking down multi-species swards for Irish farmers

There is growing interest in multi-species pasture. Here at Germinal, we have probably taken more queries on them this year to date than in the last two years combined.

But what is a multi-species sward? What are the benefits? And how can you grow a multi-species sward? Here is a quick Q&A on the most popular questions surrounding multi-species grass seed.

What is a multi-species sward?

The definition of multi-species is a mixture composed of two or more species. However, it is widely accepted that perennial ryegrass and white clover alone do not count.

For that reason, we mostly concentrate on multi-species in their most common form; consisting of herbs and legumes used in a multi-species grazing mix.

What are the benefits of including several species in my grassland?

Different grass species bring different benefits to the sward. Some will be nitrogen-fixing, while others will be deep rooting, and so, bring more minerals up from lower down in the soil.

Deeper rooting species have the potential to be more resilient in drought conditions. Some species such as chicory have anecdotal evidence of anthelmintic benefits and reduce worm counts in lambs.

From a biodiversity perspective, the more species present in a sward, the greater potential benefit to insect populations.

What are the negatives of multi-species grazing?

One of the main reasons we do not have greater uptake of multi-species grass seed at farm level, is the limitation of weed control options.

If you have herbs such as plantain, chicory or others, then you cannot spray for weeds or they will also be killed. Herbs tend to be less persistent than perennial ryegrass or white clover in a mixture; generally with a lifespan of three to five years.

What type of system does multi-species best fit?

There has been a lot of research into multi-species swards in recent years, and more work is ongoing. For now, it seems they tend to be more suitable to sheep systems or less intensive cattle systems.

How long will they last in my field?

This will be influenced by both management, soil fertility and soil type. Generally, chicory and plantain will survive for 3-5 years.

How should I establish multi-species rotational grazing?

The easiest way to establish a multi-species sward is as part of a full reseed. Just remember you cannot use any weed spray post sowing, so control your reseeds in advance. Ideally, sow in April to early August.

The table below indicates the main pros and cons of each of the individual species and the appropriate inclusion rate in a mixture.

Species	Variety	Inclusion rate in a multi-species sward per acre	Benefits	Cons	Suited to	Expected persistency^
White Clover	AberHeraldAberAce	1-1.5 kg	N fixing legumeImproves animal performanceHigh yielding in grass mixturesHigh digestibility	Low spring growthRisk of bloat when at high % in swardLimited weed control	Grazing	5+ years
Red Clover	AberClaret	4 kg	N fixing legumeHigh proteinHigh yielding	Will not tolerate tight grazingPersistencyLimited weed control	Silage	3-5 years
Plantain	Tonic	0.75 kg	High mineral contentPalatableDeep rooting	No weed control optionsAvoid grazing below 5 cmGrazing in wet weather can reduce persistency	Rotational grazing	5 Years
Chicory	Puna II	0.75 kg	High mineral contentGood drought toleranceAnthelmintic properties	No weed control optionsPrefers well-drained dry soilsAvoid hard grazing in wet conditions	Rotational grazing	3-5 years
Sainfoin		5 kg/acre	N fixing legumePalatableAnthelmintic propertiesDeep rooting	No weed control optionsSlow to establishAvoid hard grazing	Hay or silage	3-5 years

At Germinal, our grassland experts are here to answer any questions for Irish farmers. Please reach out if you have any questions regarding multi-species grass seed or any other pasture needs.