The multispecies sward is in place for two years now on Tullamore Farm. The paddock was sown into the main grazing block on the outfarm in Cloona back in May 2022.
The multispecies sward is grazed by both the cattle and the sheep. Shaun Diver, farm manager, allows sheep to graze the paddock first and the cattle come into finish out grazing. The first grazing this year took place around the first week of March with ewes and some light cattle.
When the Irish Farmers Journal visited the farm on 28 May, the cattle were cleaning off the third rotation after the sheep had moved onto the next paddock.
The grazing of the multispecies sward fits well into the rotation on Tullamore Farm. It’s grazed every three weeks at a heavy cover of 1,700kg of DM/ha.
Farm manager Shaun Diver outlined that he is starting grazing at a bit of a heavier sward cover and coming out sooner to try to protect the chicory, plantain and red clover in the sward.
The clover cover will start to increase by the next grazing as soils warm up and nitrogen becomes more available from the clover. He noted that the plantain is in lower numbers throughout the sward this year, but is not fully gone.
Mix sown in May 2022
Perennial ryegrass (Astonenergy) -3.3kg.Perennial ryegrass (Oakpark) – 3.3kg.Timothy – 0.7kg.Red clover – 1.5kg.White clover – 1.5kg.Plantain – 1kg.Chicory – 0.7kg.Shaun is pleased with how well the multispecies is working, as it has received no fertiliser in the last two years since sowing. However, it does get slurry in the springtime and the back end of the year. If the rest of the species start to die out, Shaun will consider reseeding the paddock.
However, if there is a good grass and clover sward in place then reseeding should not be necessary.
The field was chosen because there were very few weeds present in the pasture and there has been no weed control carried out since sowing.
Drought
Deep-rooting herbs like plantain and chicory are extremely drought-tolerant. With prolonged dry spells and unpredictable rainfall becoming more common, many Irish farmers are concerned about the resilience of their crops. Incorporating multispecies swards can support sustainable farming practices and improve soil conditions on the farm.
Last year it grew up on 9t of DM per ha and similar yields are expected this year.
Multispecies sward measure
When the multispecies sward was sown on Tullamore Farm in 2022, Shaun availed of the grant available.
There is a good cover of chicory and plantain, the clover will be expected to be higher in the next grazing when the soil warms up.
This measure incentivises farmers to establish multispecies swards, reducing reliance on nitrogen fertilisers and promoting sustainable farming.
In 2024, farmers can receive €300 per hectare for up to 20 hectares of swards sown between 16 July 2023 and 15 July 2024, subject to budget limits.
Applications had to be submitted through the BISS online system by 15 May 2024, with at least one hectare declared as ‘permanent pasture (MSS measure)’ for reseeding or ‘grass year one (MSS measure)’ following an arable crop.
Don’t miss the 2024 Suckler and Sheep Open Day on the Tullamore Farm on Tuesday 23 July from 10.30am to 5pm. Featuring technical stands, workshops, demos and a host of trade stands, it is a day not to be missed for the suckler or sheep farmer. See updates in the Irish Farmers Journal every Thursday or go to ifj.ie/tullamorefarm. Supported by Zurich Farm Insurance.
The multispecies sward was sown in May 2022 and has only received slurry in spring and late in the year.No artificial fertiliser has been spread on the sward since sowing.Grazing started this year in early March and follows a three-week rotation with a heavy cover of 1,700kg of DM/ha with the aim to protect chicory, plantain, and red clover. Shaun used the Multispecies Sward Measure to establish the sward and in 2024, farmers can get €300 per hectare for up to 20 hectares of multispecies swards sown.
The multispecies sward is in place for two years now on Tullamore Farm. The paddock was sown into the main grazing block on the outfarm in Cloona back in May 2022.
The multispecies sward is grazed by both the cattle and the sheep. Shaun Diver, farm manager, allows sheep to graze the paddock first and the cattle come into finish out grazing. The first grazing this year took place around the first week of March with ewes and some light cattle.
When the Irish Farmers Journal visited the farm on 28 May, the cattle were cleaning off the third rotation after the sheep had moved onto the next paddock.
The grazing of the multispecies sward fits well into the rotation on Tullamore Farm. It’s grazed every three weeks at a heavy cover of 1,700kg of DM/ha.
Farm manager Shaun Diver outlined that he is starting grazing at a bit of a heavier sward cover and coming out sooner to try to protect the chicory, plantain and red clover in the sward.
The clover cover will start to increase by the next grazing as soils warm up and nitrogen becomes more available from the clover. He noted that the plantain is in lower numbers throughout the sward this year, but is not fully gone.
Mix sown in May 2022
Perennial ryegrass (Astonenergy) -3.3kg.Perennial ryegrass (Oakpark) – 3.3kg.Timothy – 0.7kg.Red clover – 1.5kg.White clover – 1.5kg.Plantain – 1kg.Chicory – 0.7kg.Shaun is pleased with how well the multispecies is working, as it has received no fertiliser in the last two years since sowing. However, it does get slurry in the springtime and the back end of the year. If the rest of the species start to die out, Shaun will consider reseeding the paddock.
However, if there is a good grass and clover sward in place then reseeding should not be necessary.
The field was chosen because there were very few weeds present in the pasture and there has been no weed control carried out since sowing.
Drought
Deep-rooting herbs like plantain and chicory are extremely drought-tolerant. With prolonged dry spells and unpredictable rainfall becoming more common, many Irish farmers are concerned about the resilience of their crops. Incorporating multispecies swards can support sustainable farming practices and improve soil conditions on the farm.
Last year it grew up on 9t of DM per ha and similar yields are expected this year.
Multispecies sward measure
When the multispecies sward was sown on Tullamore Farm in 2022, Shaun availed of the grant available.
There is a good cover of chicory and plantain, the clover will be expected to be higher in the next grazing when the soil warms up.
This measure incentivises farmers to establish multispecies swards, reducing reliance on nitrogen fertilisers and promoting sustainable farming.
In 2024, farmers can receive €300 per hectare for up to 20 hectares of swards sown between 16 July 2023 and 15 July 2024, subject to budget limits.
Applications had to be submitted through the BISS online system by 15 May 2024, with at least one hectare declared as ‘permanent pasture (MSS measure)’ for reseeding or ‘grass year one (MSS measure)’ following an arable crop.
Don’t miss the 2024 Suckler and Sheep Open Day on the Tullamore Farm on Tuesday 23 July from 10.30am to 5pm. Featuring technical stands, workshops, demos and a host of trade stands, it is a day not to be missed for the suckler or sheep farmer. See updates in the Irish Farmers Journal every Thursday or go to ifj.ie/tullamorefarm. Supported by Zurich Farm Insurance.
The multispecies sward was sown in May 2022 and has only received slurry in spring and late in the year.No artificial fertiliser has been spread on the sward since sowing.Grazing started this year in early March and follows a three-week rotation with a heavy cover of 1,700kg of DM/ha with the aim to protect chicory, plantain, and red clover. Shaun used the Multispecies Sward Measure to establish the sward and in 2024, farmers can get €300 per hectare for up to 20 hectares of multispecies swards sown. 
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