MoThe increasing cost and environmental impact of synthetic fertilisers and imported feed—particularly soya-based feeds—pose significant challenges for livestock farming. Finding sustainable alternatives that maintain productivity while reducing inputs is critical for the future of grazing systems.
One promising solution is the adoption of multi-species swards (MSS), which combine legumes, grasses, and herbs to improve soil fertility, forage quality, and animal nutrition. These diverse pastures naturally fix nitrogen, reducing reliance on synthetic fertilisers while enhancing biodiversity and resilience to climate variability.
This pilot study aims to co-design field experiments with farmers to explore how MSS and optimized forage crop inputs can significantly reduce synthetic fertiliser and purchased feed, potentially eliminating soya use in commercial sheep grazing systems.
Key Objectives:
- Investigate the role of multi-species swards (MSS) in reducing synthetic fertiliser use while maintaining productive grazing systems.
- Assess the potential to eliminate soya-based feed by improving forage crop nutritional value.
- Collaborate with commercial farms to develop practical, scalable solutions for reducing external inputs.
- Improve the understanding and evaluation of legume-based ecosystem services in livestock farming.
By optimizing on-farm resources, this research supports the transition towards low-input, high-performance grazing systems, reducing costs and environmental impacts while ensuring sustainable sheep production.