Last August the members of ARCZero paid a visit to the farm of Paul & Frank Turley near Downpatrick. Paul and Frank have been pioneers of legume rich swards including multi-species swards, white clover grazing swards and red clover silage swards.

They farm 550 acres with 196 Aberdeen Angus cross suckler cows. Cows are out wintered on Redstart (a kale/rape hybrid) and bales silage. No meal is fed. They have a target for 70-80% of the farm to receive to manufactured N fertiliser (currently 44%). They also have 25 acres of spring barley to provide straw.

On the farm tour the group visited a variety of sward types:
Multi-species Swards – 6 species mixes (PRG, Timothy, Red Clover, White clover, Chicory and Plantain, with some rape as a nurse crop). The Germinal seed mix was much more successful than the DLF, and looked superb.
PRG with Red and White clover swards (4:4:4:1 mix – 4kg Aberclyde PRG, 4kg Abermagic PRG, 2kg Aberclaret Red clover, 2kg Garant Red Clover, 1.5kg Aberherald White clover). The swards again looked fantastic, with particularly strong White clover after the first year. Red clover does well initially, but is less persistent and susceptible to trampling and compaction. This is the preferred mix currently.
Lucerne – established reasonably well, (crops on some other farms failed to establish successfully) and is cut for silage 3 times per year. The silage is not very palatable, while the lucerne is very susceptible to compaction/traffic. Initial regrowth is slow, but at about 25 cms accelerates fast.
Redstart – established with grass killed by Glyphosate, light power harrow, Einbock seeder, flat roll and 10 tons/acre FYM. Very successful and rapid growth. The hybrid can be sown later than kale but produces comparable yields. Grazed with a double electric fencing system ahead of the cattle and another line behind them. Bales of silage are placed at intervals across the field to provide additional fodder. Earthworm populations very high. Slug damage around field boundaries is quite severe.
Reseed – procedure following Redstart is usually Glyphosate spray, FYM, shallow subsoil, power harrow, ring roll, sow and flat roll. One field in 2024 was ploughed because of major infestation with dandelions.
Sward management – cattle are strip grazed, and the grazed swards are topped to ensure even regrowth. It was stressed that it is important to keep the swards well grazed (or topped) – one field had missed a grazing and the grass had responded by putting up seed heads with a greatly reduced yield of herbage. Herbage yield is measured and recorded constantly. To date the farm has averaged 7.5 tonnes/ha this year, with a target of 10-12 tonnes, which should be achieved in spite of the difficult year.
Soil pH – the target is 6.5-7.0 to favour the legumes. The whole farm is soil tested each year.
Docks – have proved difficult (though infestation levels seemed very low). Trialling a new spray, Proclova. This had recently been applied to one MSS field, with the docks apparently dying along with the chicory and plantain, and the clovers surviving, but having taken a setback.
Aberdeen Angus Suckler Cows and Calves grazing a multi-species sward at Turley's farm
Key Lessons:
Optimum pH of 6.5 to 7 is essential for successful growing of clovers
Seed selection makes a real difference – both varieties and source. The Germinal mixes have been consistently vigorous and reliable.
Sward management is key to getting maximum production and quality of forage.
FYM is a vital part of the system, helping to build soil structure and fertility.
Fodder crops have huge potential in the right conditions – lighter, free-draining soils and lower rainfall areas.
The need to match livestock type to the grazing system. Native and upland breeds such as AAx cattle with their high foraging ability are ideal for low N systems. The Wagyu cattle are poorer foragers and converters and require significant inputs of meal, making them less profitable.
Measurement and record keeping are essential tools for successful management, enabling sound decision making and planning.
Finding successful systems does not need to be a barrier to looking for improvements and new solutions.
Lucerne does not look like a promising alternative protein crop due to establishment, palatability and traffic sensitivity issues.

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