Selecting species and mixtures for multi-species swards

Choosing the right species and mixture is one of the most important decisions when establishing a multi-species sward. The right mix can improve forage quality, support livestock performance, reduce fertiliser inputs, build soil resilience and help future-proof the system against weather extremes.

Choosing the right species and mixture for a multi-species sward starts with understanding your objectives, site conditions and the role of each species.

The first step is understanding what you want the sward to deliver. 

Do you want: 

• Grazing only or cutting as well? 

• Silage or hay focused? 

• Short-term break crop or long-term ley? 

• Soil improvement or productivity? 

• Agri-environmental scheme compliance or biodiversity goals? 

Your answers will influence which species you should prioritise.

Successful species selection works with your land, not against it.  

Take time to assess: 

• Soil type – light/sandy, loam, or heavy/clay 

• Drainage – free draining or prone to waterlogging 

• Drought risk 

• Rainfall and temperature patterns 

Consider which species have historically performed well (or poorly) on your farm. 

Seek advice from: 

• Your seed supplier 

• Local agronomists 

• Species guidance and tables 

• The Recommended Grass and Clover Lists (RGCL)  

Multi-species swards are usually built around functional groups, with balance being key.

Grasses: 40–60% 

Provide bulk yield, early growth and regrowth after grazing or cutting. 

Avoid exceeding this range as aggressive grasses can dominate slower-establishing species. 

Legumes: 20–40% 

Fix nitrogen, boost protein and improve soil structure. 

Red clover is often included at lower proportions due to its vigour, while white clover can be higher in grazing systems. 

Herbs: 2–15% 

Improve mineral content, rooting depth, drought tolerance and biodiversity. 

Low seed rates go a long way. 

Buffer/short-term species (optional): 0–10% 

Annual rye-grass, vetch or similar species can help early ground cover and first‑year yield. 

When designing a grazing mix, prioritise persistence, palatability and regrowth. Look for: 

• High digestibility 

• High leaf‑to‑stem ratio 

• Tolerance to trampling and frequent defoliation 

• Strong regrowth after grazing 

• Seasonal spread of growth (spring through autumn)

For cutting systems, the emphasis is on yield, quality and uniformity. Look for: 

• High dry matter (DM), digestibility (D value), metabolisable energy (ME) and crude protein (CP) content 

• Reliable regrowth between cuts 

• Species with similar seasonal growth curves to simplify cutting timing 

Avoid high proportions of bulky or woody species that can affect fermentation or bale integrity.

For a haymaking mix, look for: 

• Fine-leaved and slow to bolt 

• Dry quickly and retain leaf content after cutting 

• Less likely to become coarse or stemmy at maturity 

• Low moisture content and open sward structure for air flow 

• Wide cutting window to avoid weather-related losses 

Suitable species 

• Grasses: Timothy, meadow fescue, early cut perennial rye-grass 

• Legumes: Bird’s-foot trefoil, small leaf white clover, red clover (managed carefully) 

• Herbs: Yarrow, burnet, sheep’s parsley (low rates) 

Avoid chicory and lucerne where drying conditions are unreliable. 

For soil improvement and environmental outcomes, aim for functional diversity: 

• Deep taproots (chicory, sainfoin, lucerne) to improve infiltration and carbon storage 

• Fibrous-rooted grasses (rye-grass, timothy) to build topsoil organic matter 

• Creeping species (white clover, creeping red fescue) to stabilise soil and reduce erosion 

• Year-round living roots to support soil biology 

This approach improves structure, resilience and nutrient cycling across soil layers.