Summer 2018 served to really focus producers’ minds on forage, with many looking at alternative sources of feed to help alleviate the pressure on

drought-hit grass leys, allowing them longer to recover.Multispecies mixtures, which typically include three or more grass species and a mix of legumes and herbs, could be just the solution. And not only because they are more drought tolerant than grass and grass/clover swards, but also because they can offer more feed value at times during the season when more traditional leys may be experiencing a decline.“They can certainly add some ‘resilience’ to forage production systems, offering a top-quality grazing sward for young stock or dry cows,” says independent grassland adviser Liz Genever. “There’s untapped potential here, although the persistency of these multispecies swards is still an unknown. Dairy trials are ongoing to determine this. Much of the work carried out to date is on sheep and beef units.”That said, they are comparable with well-managed grass

and grass/clover leys, in terms of their productivity, according to Dr Genever. “And the real benefi t, aside from offering quality and drought resistant growth during drier periods, is the reduced requirement for nitrogen fertiliser.”

Multiple benefi tsThe nutritional, health, economic and environmentally friendly characteristics of these types of mixtures begs the question: why are they not more widely used?“Even on the most intensive dairy units these leys have a place, be it for young stock or bringing dry cows back into condition,” says Limagrain’s Ian Misselbrook.“Perhaps one thing curtailing their use is that they are virtually impossible to treat with herbicides. But the experience of growing these swards, at low- or no-nitrogen levels, demonstrates that the diverse genetics and competitive nature of the sward is highly effective at out-competing emergent weeds,” he says.“The deep-rooting herbs not only draw up minerals and trace elements essential for animal health, but they also resist drought and condition the soil. These mixtures offer so many benefi ts that they’re hard to ignore.”To date, these mixtures have worked well in sheep leys and in many cases have been utilised successfully to fi nish lambs. “Trial results at UCD, run as part of the Smartgrass project – showed that the dry matter yield of some multispecies mixtures receiving 90kg N/ha can be similar to, and in some cases better than, perennial ryegrass swards receiving 250kg N/ha,” says Dr Genever.The trial compared yields from ryegrass swards with

With summer 2018’s dry conditions in mind, there could be an important role for multispecies leys on many UK units, particularly

for those producers looking to eke out forage supplies or extend the grazing season in drier areas.

Mixtures add width to grazing shoulders

TEXT RACHAEL PORTER

FEEDING GRAZING CROPS

Ian Misselbrook: “These mixtures o� er so many benefi ts that they’re hard to ignore”

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mixtures containing various levels of diversity. The multispecies mixtures included perennial ryegrasses, cocksfoot and Timothy, and forage herbs such as chicory, ribwort plantain and yarrow, as well as the legume species red and white clover and common birdsfoot trefoil.

‘Right’ mixBut multispecies mixtures need to have both the ‘right’ species and the correct proportions of each. “Key is having some early and some later maturing species, to ensure a longer growing season. This gives some ‘shoulders’ to the sward, which is particularly good for grazing young stock,” adds Mr Misselbrook.“The grasses in these mixtures have been formulated to offer the longest possible grazing season from early in the spring to late autumn.”Limagrain has introduced a multispecies grass mixture this spring, designed for grazing swards for cattle and sheep. Part of its Sinclair McGill range, Castleherb combines 40% grass species with 30% each of legumes and herbs. “The grasses are made up of intermediate and late perennial ryegrasses. These include a matrix-enhanced ryegrass that is mix of perennial ryegrass and meadow fescue, with an extended grazing season and very rapid regrowth, and the early growing species Timothy, that starts growing in early spring, before the ryegrasses, then has another growth surge in mid-summer when ryegrasses slow down,” explains Mr Misselbrook.Red- and white-clover varieties are included in the mixture and contribute to the mixture’s protein, trace elements and minerals feed value as well as providing valuable nitrogen-fixing attributes typical of legumes. The legume content included in Castleherb reduces or eliminates the need for nitrogen applications. This mixture also includes the forage herbs plantain and chicory. These herbs are deep-rooted making them relatively drought-resistant and with the potential to draw up more minerals. They provide a mineral-rich feed for livestock.“It is a four-year ley with a long growing season and

low running costs. Like most multispecies mixtures, it needs limited or no fertiliser applications. And the combination of species provides a protein, trace element and mineral rich feed,” adds Mr Misselbrook.And the drought tolerance of these mixtures makes them ideal for lower rainfall areas – particularly during dry and hot summer. “I think that, particularly once more is known about the persistency of these leys – and producers learn more about how they can fit into their rotation, they will increase in popularity,” adds Dr Genever. l

Multispecies mixture facts• Sown in spring or autumn • Typically more expensive than a ryegrass/clover

mixture, but the cost is easily offset by lower growing costs (less fertiliser)

• Provide ‘shoulders’ on the grazing season – ideal for grazing young stock and dry cows

• Drought-resistant• Good soil-improvers, with deep-rooted species and

nitrogen fixing legumes. And when ploughed in, add significantly more organic matter to the soils than grass leys

Liz Genever: “The real benefit is

the reduced requirement

for nitrogen fertiliser”

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