Multi-species lower nitrogen inputs for Richard McKeown

Monday 18.11.2024 , News

Sowing multi-species swards for finishing lambs has helped Northern Irish farmer Richard McKeown reduce supplementary feed and nitrogen fertiliser inputs.

Richard, who farms 50 acres alongside wife Fiona in Templepatrick, Co Antrim, has a pedigree flock of 160 Dorset ewes under the Ashvale prefix. He also farms 170 acres in Newtownards, Co Down, in partnership with Duncan McDowell.

Farm facts: Ashvale Pedigrees

  • Predominantly grassland alongside 15-20 acres of oats to feed youngstock.
  • 160 Pedigree Dorset ewes (Ashvale flock) plus followers, 60-70 pedigree Beef Shorthorn (Castlemount prefix), and Angus (Ashvale herd) cows.
  • Lambing and calving year-round.
  • Lambs sold for breeding and finished at Ballymena Livestock Market.

Getting the most out of multi-species

Last year, Richard reseeded some fields with a Germinal multi-species mixture containing 1kg of white clover, 0.5kg of chicory, 0.75kg of tonic plantain, 3kg of timothy, and 8.75kg of perennial ryegrass.

“We have previously used a multi-purpose Aber High Sugar Grass mixture for cutting and grazing and have been very happy, but I wanted to try multi-species for drought tolerance. On the Newtownards Peninsula, we can burn up during the summer,” he explains.

Richard opted for a mix without red clover because it contains high levels of phytoestrogens, which can affect sheep ovulation. Germinal recommends avoiding grazing breeding ewes and rams on red clover for six weeks on either side of tupping.

David Little, Agricultural Product Manager for Germinal Ireland, recommends farmers use a higher proportion of good-quality perennial ryegrass to compensate when herbs and clovers die out in swards.

“Persistency of herbs is one of the biggest challenges of using multi-species; although this should improve as we breed new varieties. I would recommend including 1.5-2kg of herbs in a 14kg grass mix. The rest should be made up of grass and clovers. This means when the herbs die out you still should have good ground coverage.”

Multi-species lower nitrogen inputs for Richard McKeown image two

Research at Germinal Horizon shows herbs last for three years on average, though David says good management can improve longevity.

He advises giving multi-species swards longer rest periods of 25-28 days to aid herb recovery and grazing to residuals of 6-7cm rather than 4cm.

At Ashvale Pedigrees, three fields totalling 15 acres were disced heavily, drilled, and rolled last spring. Grass is reseeded in a 5-6-year crop rotation, with oats used as a break crop. These are fed whole to lambs and rolled and fed to the cattle to help reduce bought-in protein.

Benefits of multi-species swards

A selection of about 40 ewe lambs and young hoggets grazed the multi-species from May before sale and dry cows and calves followed.

Richard found that sheep grazing the multi-species swards required less supplementary feed than those grazing perennial ryegrass. “The lambs were well grown for sales in July,” he adds.

Furthermore, the multi-species swards did not receive any nitrogen fertiliser after establishment, says Richard. Typically, 100kg/acre is applied in the spring, but in 2024 just 50kg was needed to kick-start growth.

David says nitrogen should be applied in early spring when clovers are not actively fixing nitrogen to help ‘wake up the sward’. He adds: “Come May, your clovers and herbs should be actively growing as soil temperatures improve.”

Multi-species lower nitrogen inputs for Richard McKeown image one

Advice for reseeding with multi-species mixes

  • Site selection is crucial: Select free-draining soils. Herbs and clovers do not like wet conditions.
  • Soil fertility is vital for good establishment. Ensure PH is 6.5 and P and K indices are 2-3.
  • Treat weeds before reseeding because chemical options will kill herbs and clovers.
  • Soil temperatures must be 10°C when establishing herbs and clovers so wait until April or May.
  • Avoid sowing too deep because the seed is small. Aim for 5-10mm and plant into a fine, firm seedbed for successful germination.
  • A full reseed is better because direct drilling can place seed too deep.

For more on multi-species, view our management guide here.