The characterisation of legume species conducted in the LegLINK project has generated new knowledge on the specific responses of legumes to environmental and management conditions, and the relative merits of various species for use in a range of farming systems. Mixing different legume species in the ley such as Black medic, Birdsfoot trefoil, Crimson clover, Lucerne and Sainfoin has several advantages which include increased productivity of the pasture and forage availability and suppression of weeds. In addition, widening the range of legume species increases opportunities to build short term leys into rotations on organic and conventional farms. However, little is known about how management practices such as cutting, grazing and mulching affect the productivity of such pastures, soil health and weed control. In the Sustainable Organic and Low Input Dairying project SOLID ORC are investigating how mob stocking affects pasture productivity and soil organic matter on an organic commercial farm. Konstantinos will present the preliminary findings.
