Pulse Brain · Growing Health Evidence Index
Peer-reviewed

Multispecies swards enhance animal performance in a co-grazing cattle and sheep production system

G. Beaucarne, J. R. Shackleton, Chan Suk Ha Grace, Jean Kennedy, H. Sheridan, T.M. Boland

animal · 2025

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Summary

Grazing multispecies swards can have multiple benefits for the productivity and environmental sustainability of ruminant production systems. However, few studies have determined the effect of different sward-type systems on co-grazed cattle and sheep performance. The objective of this study was to determine the effect of different sward type systems: (1) a sown Lolium perenne (PRG) sward (receiving 170 kg of N/ha per year); (2) a pre-existing permanent pasture (PP) (receiving 135 kg N/ha per year); (3) a sown 6 species sward (6SP) with Lolium perenne, Phleum pratense, Trifolium pratense, Trifolium repens, Cichorium intybus and Plantago lanceolata (receiving 70 kg N/ha per year); and 4) a sown 12 species sward (12SP) with Dactylis glomerata, Lotus corniculatus, Onobrychis viciifolia, Achill

Source type
Peer-reviewed study
DOI
10.1016/j.animal.2025.101451
Catalogue ID
SNmohi6n1e-zcuhhb
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