Multispecies swards at ‘Farming for Soil Health’

Shona Baker and John Finn, at the Farming for Soil Health event on 16th March at Teagasc, Johnstown Castle, explore the importance of multispecies swards with an emphasis on soil health.

Multispecies swards (combinations of grass, legume, and herb species) are becoming increasingly popular among farmers. They offer a range of benefits, including improved soil health, enhanced biodiversity, and increased livestock productivity.

One of the primary benefits of multispecies swards is their ability to produce increased herbage dry-matter to grass and grass-clover swards, however they do carry a range of other benefits, including their ability to improve soil health. The combination of grass, legumes, and herbs in a single field can help to reduce soil erosion and improve soil structure. This is because the different plant species have different root structures, which penetrate the soil to different depths and create channels for air and water to circulate. As a result, the soil becomes more porous and better able to absorb moisture, which helps to prevent waterlogging and nutrient leaching in the form of run-off.

Legumes in a multispecies sward can reduce the need for synthetic fertilizers, which can have negative impacts on soil health and the environment. Additionally, legumes can increase soil organic matter, which can improve soil fertility, water-holding capacity, and nutrient availability. Herbs can play an important role in enhancing soil biodiversity. Many herb species have deep roots that can help to break up compacted soil and improve water infiltration. Flowering legumes and herbs can attract a wide range of beneficial insects and pollinators.

Multispecies swards can provide a range of benefits for livestock. For example, the presence of legumes in a sward can provide a valuable source of protein for grazing animals, which can help to reduce the need for expensive feed supplements. Additionally, the different plant species in a sward can provide a more diverse range of nutrients for livestock, which can improve overall health and productivity.

Multispecies swards can also be more resilient to environmental stresses such as drought. This is because the different plant species have different growth habits and root structures, which can help to ensure that the field remains productive even if some of the plants are affected by stress.

In conclusion, multispecies swards offer a range of benefits for farmers and agricultural practitioners, including improved soil health, enhanced biodiversity, and increased livestock production at lower nitrogen levels. They can help to reduce soil erosion, improve soil structure, and increase soil organic matter. Additionally, the different plant species can provide a more diverse range of nutrients for grazing animals. The recently funded DAFM/DAERA Multi4More project is investigating in the agronomic, soil and environmental effects of multispecies swards.