We are truly fortunate in Ireland to have a strong reliance on grass-based farming systems. However, it is crucial to find ways to continue to maximise this national asset while simultaneously reducing our environmental impact.

One highly effective approach that holds great promise is the use of multispecies swards.

Multispecies swards have the potential to offer a wide array of benefits when compared to perennial ryegrass (PRG) swards, including drought and flood resistance, greater consistency in production across the growing season, nitrogen fixation, soil conditioning capabilities and a more balanced mineral and protein content for livestock.

These combined benefits can also diminish reliance on costly feed, fertiliser and veterinary inputs, resulting in more sustainable food production systems as more resources are sourced within the farm gates.

Clear sight on Footprint Farms

Martin Crowe, Footprint Farmer and dairy farmer based in Carrigmore, Co Limerick, has been inspired to make significant strides in terms of increasing the sustainability of his dairy enterprise in recent years. This is in part because of questions posed to him by his teenage children.

In 2019, in the shadow of children’s protests at the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Ireland became the second country in the world to declare a “climate and biodiversity emergency”. At this time, the famed naturalist Sir David Attenborough also reminded us in an interview that “young people may lack experience but they also have clear sight. They can see perhaps more clearly than the rest of us who have been around for some time”.

Simple steps and a willingness to try new approaches can make a big difference to the environmental footprint of a farm, as well as help us to answer difficult questions and paint a more hopeful picture of the future for the next generation.

Martin has achieved remarkable results by taking his sward mixes to the next level

One action that Martin has reported particular success with in this regard is multispecies swards.

Range of benefits

While many farmers are aware of the benefits of red and white clover for reducing nitrogen requirements, Martin has achieved remarkable results by taking his sward mixes to the next level.

He has incorporated multiple species into his reseeds, including chicory, plantain, red clover, white clover, timothy and ryegrass.

It is widely recognised among livestock farmers in Ireland that animals have an innate ability to self-medicate by selectively grazing plants from diverse hedgerows and species-rich meadows.

Herbs, with their deep roots, extract essential minerals from the soil, mining micro-nutrients that are vital for optimal livestock health and growth, as well as for the production of nutrient-dense meat and dairy products.

By incorporating herbs into swards, it’s possible to reduce reliance on costly licks and feed additives by unlocking more nutrition from the soil beneath our feet.

Likewise, species such as chicory, sainfoin and birdsfoot trefoil contain natural anthelmintic qualities that can reduce parasite loads and the need for costly dosing products.

With early successes under his belt, Martin’s next step is to explore the merits of including an even greater range of species in future reseeds

Sowing multispecies swards can also have a positive impact on soil quality.

The deep-rooting swards enhance soil fertility and contribute to carbon sequestration.

Furthermore, improved infiltration reduces the risk of flooding, while areas left to flower during the summer can provide crucial resources for pollinators and seeds for birds.

Moreover, the palatability of herb-rich swards can increase voluntary intake.

The varying rooting depths of the species within a multispecies sward also increase its resilience to drought. Martin’s farm in Co Limerick serves as an exemplary case.

During the recent dry period in June, his multispecies swards continued to thrive while his PRG swards struggled. Surprisingly, even the PRG within Martin’s multispecies sward mix remained productive during the dry spell.

Martin explains that the ability of deep-rooting herbs such as chicory to draw moisture from deeper layers of the ground plays a significant role in facilitating moisture access for the shallower rooting system of the PRG.

With early successes under his belt, Martin’s next step is to explore the merits of including an even greater range of species in future reseeds.

Check back soon for our second part on multispecies swards, where we talk to Footprint Farmers about specific species and the management of multispecies swards for optimum production and persistence.

Emma Hart is a farmer, science communicator and conservation ecologist. She is the founder of Habitats (www.habitats.ie), a research, education and advisory service assisting farmers, businesses and landowners in enhancing space for nature and biodiversity.