Update: Optimising Lamb Value on Plantain

Menna Williams, Red Meat Technical Officer

The seed mixture sown in 2014 was -

Project Results:

The table below compare’s the plantain’s first grazing performance and it’s third grazing performance.

Overall, the plantain has maintained its performance after three grazing’s. There is obviously a reduction in production from the plantain and this can be seen in the total grazing days of the crop. This is a result in natural reduction of plantain plants within the sward due to the increasing competition from weeds, diseases, pests and grazing livestock.   As plantain is a poor competitor, grazing management needs to ensure other species in the sward do not smother plantain.

Richard felt that the Plantain required much more care and attention in comparison to grass and clover swards, and the main downfall with plantain is that it cannot be ensiled or grazed over the winter months. As a result, Richard doesn’t see him sowing plantain in the near future and feels that well managed grass and clover swards can provide him with similar performance with much more flexibility in regards to silage making and winter grazing.