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Practice abstract

Preliminary data from research studies have shown plantain, a forage herb, has been shown to complement PRG-WC swards by further increasing milk production efficiency while reducing the risk of nitrogen leaching and nitrous oxide emissions. In a series of experiments in New Zealand, the inclusion of plantain was demonstrated to increase the overall nitrogen use efficiency of lactating dairy cows by partitioning a greater proportion of the excreted nitrogen into faeces rather than urine and alter the animal’s urinary physiology, resulting in waste with a lower nitrogen concentration. 

Michael Doran has tested different perennial ryegrass and white clover varieties on his swards in Co. Wexford. He recently wanted to test how plantain would work on his farm and has included it in half of his new reseeds on the farm. Michael farms around 2km the sea and there is a long growing season. The farm is 170 ha (25ha in cereal rest in grassland). There are 245 cows on the milking platform. To incorporate plantain 1kg/ acre is included in reseeds with white clover and ryegrass in the last 3 years. From a management point of view Michael no longer sprays herbicide post establishment of seed after reseeding as there is no plantain, clover and ryegrass safe herbicide. Michael also sees the cows do not find the sward as palatable in spring but once they have that grazing completed there is no difference for the remainder of the grazing season.  

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