Animal health and performance benefits of multispecies swards

Multispecies swards can boost immunity, enhance milk production and increase growth rates, improving overall health and animal performance. 

Multispecies swards can support rumen function by providing a more balanced supply of fibre and protein compared to monocultures. This can contribute to a reduced risk of acidosis, particularly where forage makes up a large proportion of the diet. 

Specific herbs, such as chicory and sainfoin, have additional benefits, acting as natural rumen buffers and enhancing digestion. These species can also reduce reliance on supplementary feed, improving feed efficiency and potentially lowering costs. 

Multispecies swards, especially those containing herbs, offer more than just nutritional value – they may support a stronger immune function, particularly through the inclusion of antioxidant-rich herbs.  

Incorporating herbs into swards introduces bioactive compounds with natural anthelmintic properties, helping to control internal parasites and reduce the need for chemical treatments.  

This natural parasite control contributes to stronger immune responses and overall livestock resilience. 

Multispecies swards have been linked to superior growth rates in beef cattle, lambs and other meat-producing livestock. 

Lambs grazing on diverse swards reach slaughter weight more quickly and require fewer days on pasture, enhancing production efficiency. 

Similarly, beef cattle show higher average daily gains when grazing on multispecies swards compared to monoculture pastures. 

Dairy cows grazing on well-managed multispecies swards may support increased milk quality and yield consistency, depending on species mix and grazing management.  

Body condition, immune function and mineral status are all critical for fertility, and the diverse nutritional profile of multispecies swards may improve reproductive performance in livestock. 

High-quality, legume-rich swards can also improve energy balance and reduce the postpartum anoestrus period in dairy cows, which supports earlier return to oestrus and conception.