Effect of post-grazing height on the productivity, population and morphology of a herb and legume mix

Abstract

Herb and legume mixes have been shown to increase animal performance compared with perennial ryegrass/white clover. The objective of this experiment was to determine the response of a herb and legume mix containing chicory (Cichorium intybus), plantain (Plantago lanceolata), red clover (Trifolium pratense) and white clover (T. repens) to either Hard (post-grazing residual of 4 cm) or Lax (post-grazing residual of 8 cm) grazing treatments using a 3-5 week grazing cycle with sheep over 2 years. The sward produced a greater dry matter yield under Hard than Lax grazing (11.6 vs 8.9 t DM/ha/year). However, Lax grazing maintained all four species in the sward, with a greater red clover contribution to the sward. Chicory had a greater taproot diameter and root water-soluble carbohydrate concentration under Lax than Hard grazing. Overall, this study illustrates that the herb and legume mix is likely to be more persistent under Lax than Hard grazing.