Understanding the growth/regrowth habits of an individual grass easily translates into management decisions. However, when different grasses or grass/legume combinations are growing together, which may result from planning or from weed infestation, the management decisions require more strategy.

Advantages of Mixtures

The advantages of mixing a grass and a legume center around utilizing the best qualities of each. A mix may:

  • extend the growing season of a pasture,
  • improve the quality of forage,
  • reduce nitrogen fertilizer requirements because of the legume's nitrogen fixation capacities,
  • prove more adaptable for a wider range of conditions,
  • improve flexibility to survive environmental conditions,
  • reduce susceptibility to insect and disease attacks.
  • improve the palatability
  • utilize grass to quicken the curing of hay
  • increase the organic matter content of the soil over time because of grass root systems
  • reduce weed encroachment
  • reduce erosion
  • produce higher yields

 

The probable pasture production for perennial ryegrass in the northern hemisphere leaves some time when the grass is dormant. There are times when other feed will be needed. Utilizing another grass or legume that flourishes during the less productive periods for perennial ryegrass extends the season of production and maintains the quality of feed.

If hay or silage making is the goal, the thoughts of using mixtures should consider those species that can harvested at the same time.

Mixtures can improve the feed quality. Legumes have a higher protein content than grasses. Growing animals have a high protein requirement that can be met to a large degree by adequate legumes in the forage mix. Furthermore, the palatability and digestibility may also be improved.

Although planting a legume with a grass does not mean all nitrogen fertilizer needs will be met, grasses can eventually benefit from being planted in soil where legumes fixed atmospheric nitrogen.

A mixture of species in a pasture can adapt to a wider range of conditions. Some species tolerate wet conditions, some dry, some acid, and some alkaline or sodic soils. Mixtures provide some insurance to unexpected conditions or a variety of conditions which may occur in a single pasture.

A rule for mixtures is "remember simplicity". A large number of species in a mixture, sometimes called a "shotgun" mixture should be avoided. Often a single grass and a single legume will best provide the benefits intended.