A Welsh upland dairy farm aims to accelerate the transition away from dependence on nitrogen fertilizers for grass growth by growing herb leymix.
Powis taking over the long-term lease on the 48-hectare Mace Duras Farm has inspired Sophia Morgan-Swinhoe and Sam Wren-Lewis to rethink the way they produce feed for their Jersey and goat flocks. .
Grass rays on the farm have historically been established with perennial ryegrass varieties, but with an ambition to reduce dependence on nitrogen fertilizers, reduce product costs and benefit the soil, the couple has developed a diverse formulation. I'm trying.
The trial is being funded by Farming Connect's Tryout Fund, an initiative that gives farmers money to experiment with ideas.
Although the benefits of herb rays in fixing nitrogen and improving soil health are well documented, herb ray colonization of perennial ryegrass leys present in uplands through direct drilling is less understood.
The varieties best suited to the method to maintain ley productivity are also not well known.
The fund gave the couple the opportunity to consider this for their own benefit and for the benefit of other farmers considering this approach.
This spring, three one-hectare plots with different seed mixes have been established at Maes Dulas Farm, with the perennial ryegrass plot serving as a control.
One mix is a multi-species lawn focused on promoting nitrogen fixation to maintain yield productivity without the use of synthetic nitrogen fertilizers.
The other focuses on varieties that root deeply to increase soil health and carbon sequestration, in addition to other benefits such as soil water retention and drought tolerance. The third is a combination of both.
“I'm looking forward to seeing how different and diverse species can help regenerate previously nitrogen-dependent pastures,” Sam said.
All plot performance will be measured at the end of the 2024 grazing season.
