Pros & cons of multi-species swards for dairy farms

Teagasc Dairy Advisor, Fergal Maguire outlines the pros and cons of using multi-species swards on Irish dairy farms, while also giving an overview of the different varieties in the seed mix and what advantages they bring to the sward.

Fergal gives an overview of the different varieties in the seed mix and outlines what advantages they bring to the sward. He explains how they are best managed to control weeds. He also explains how the timing of N & rotation length needs to be adjusted to increase persistency. He also looks at benefits they bring to the dairy farmer i.e. reducing N cost, reducing the carbon foot print & increasing biodiversity.

Read also this article from Guylain Grange from Johnstown Castle Research Centre who focuses on Grassland re-seeding: how to establish multi-species swards