Pasture species mixtures to reduce nitrogen leaching

The Forages for Reduced Nitrate Leaching (FRNL) Programme is a six-year study investigating how any of a wide variety of forages can be used within modern grazing systems to both improve animal production and reduce nitrate leaching. Key findings: -- Mixed-species pastures (herb species added to grasses and white clover), can increase herbage production and reduce the risk of nitrogen leaching. -- Milk production from mixed-species has sometimes been shown to be greater, but is no less than from cows grazing ryegrass/white clover. -- Plantain is a key species for increasing dry matter production and reducing urine nitrogen concentration. A critical threshold of plantain in the animal diet should be clearly established.