Following on from the interest in the MSS presentation from Dr. Helen Sheridan and @PallasTb at the @teagasc #ThesignpostSeries @TeagascEnviron here is a thread outlining the work to date from @ucdagfood with collaboration from numerous others including @teagasc @DevenishNutri

When we discuss Multispecies swards we are referring to newly sown swards, normally compared to newly sown perennial ryegrass swards, and occasionally compared to old permanent pasture. These newly sown swards contain between 5 and 12 species spread across grass, legumes and herb

Work by Dr. Helen Sheridan, @lyBRIDGET and @ConnieGrace16 demonstrates the potential for multispecies swards to enhance DM yield under reduced nitrogen application rates. The proportions in the image below are G:L:H with many mixtures out-yielding PRG which received 250kgN

When additional nitrogen was added to the MSS the DM yield did not increase but the sward composition changed from legume dominated to more grass based

Persistence of chicory and plantain is an issue in both cut and grazed swards, however plantain persists better under-grazing than chicory does

Work by @OlafUCD and Helen Sheridan shows increased earthworm populations and diversity with MSS which is driven by legume inclusion in the sward mix

Other indicators of biodiversity are also enhanced as demonstrated by Dr. Helen Sheridan with parasitoid wasp and beetle populations increased with MSS

not only are the earthworm populations increased, so too is their activity with resultant benefits for water infiltration

When fed to sheep as part of @ConnieGrace16 research a 6 species mix containing PRG, Timothy, WC, RC, chicory and plantain was our best performing mix, increasing growth rate and reducing days to slaughter in a system where it received 45% less nitrogen than a PRG monoculture

The animals grazing the MSS swards also had lower requirements for anthelmintic to control intestinal parasites require 50% less over their lifetime. This is one of the most important findings given the increasing anthelmintic issues

Following the initial positive results in sheep it was essential to test in beef cattle and dairy cows. @acoevans as HOS @ucdagfood was instrumental in securing the development of the long-term grazing platform @ucdlyonsfarm which is a member of the @GlobalFarmPlatf

Here @fionnualagodwin and @shobaker are testing MSS for dairy calf to beef systems with support from @DevenishNutri @SlaneyFoods @I_Herefordprime Early results show positive impacts when grazing MSS or PRG/WC. This work is funded by @agriculture_ie as was @SmartGrass_IE

Preliminary results from @kate_mc_c dairy work with Prof. Finbar Mulligan @ucdvetmed @lyBRIDGET & @PierceKarina under zero grazing conditions show intake, milk yield and milk solids yield benefits for cows offered MSS in mid-lactation

Further work as part of @HeartLand_S2S based in Dowth @DevenishNutri shows clear potential of MSS in a beef and sheep co-grazing system where @shacklej Gaspard Beaucarne and others completing their PhD's with @ConnieGrace16 @__JAKennedy @WUR @ucdagfood

Many others are working in this area also with @Johnfinn310 having pioneered this work in Ireland along with @CarolineBrophy5 where they demonstrated important benefits of MSS including enhanced drought tolerance @GillwallyO

Detailed work on the ensilability of MSS was the focus of @tom_moloney58 PhD and Thomas is now leading up research into MSS with @DLF_IRL

Further work on how best to incorporate MSS into production systems is being conducted by @Jonny_H2018 as part of his @IrishResearch scholarship with @wearegerminal @dcampion244

@TeagascSheep work led by @LisaMcGrane4 and @PhilCreighton1 is examining how best to establish and manage swards for sheep which contain these alternative forages while @bhoran78 is leading up a large program of work in @teagasc Moorepark looking @ MSS for dairy plus much more

What we know to date is that animal performance is enhanced with MSS but challenges remain around establishment, and persistence.
We also need to determine environmental impacts of inclusion @patrickbarr8 in addition to the biodiversity benefits already witnessed.