The role of forage systems in farm management

Incorporating diverse forage systems into your farm is more than simply good grazing – it is a powerful way to build a more resilient, profitable and sustainable business.  

Whether you are looking to build resilience, cut inputs, or boost biodiversity, the role of forage systems are a cornerstone of all round business farm management. 

Healthy, fertile soil is a dynamic living system with physical, chemical and biological properties that promote plant and animal health and maintain environmental quality. Forage crops are some of the best tools to build healthy soils. 

Perennial grasses and legumes like white clover feed the soil with root exudates and plant residues. 

This improves structure, helps the soil hold water and supports better nutrient cycling. Mixtures with ryegrass and clover boost soil aggregation and organic matter. 

Deep-rooted forages and year-round cover help prevent soil in sloping fields from washing away in heavy rain or blowing away in dry spells. Multispecies swards reduce erosion even on hilly ground. 

Legumes pull nitrogen from the air and add it to the soil helping to cut back on bagged fertiliser. Other forage species help soak up and recycle nutrients, reducing leaching. 

Diverse swards do not just feed livestock they support the entire farm ecosystem. Multispecies mixes provide nectar, shelter and food for pollinators, insects, and farmland birds. 

This means better natural pest control and more pollination across the board. 

Monocultures are vulnerable to pests and diseases. Diversity in your sward builds resilience. 

A mix of species creates a more stable system, acting as a biological buffer reducing chemical use without compromising productivity. 

Feeding your animals a more natural, nutrient-rich diet pays off. Swards that include clover, plantain, chicory and ryegrass offer high energy and protein levels – boosting milk yield, growth rates and fertility. 

Clover-rich leys raise protein intake in ruminants, leading to better performance. 

When animals can choose from a variety of plants, they tend to be healthier and less stressed. They show better gut function, welfare and extended grazing periods in livestock on diverse forage. 

Forage systems can help balance the books and open new market opportunities. Legumes can reduce nitrogen fertiliser bills and home-grown forage reduces the need for bought-in feed.  

Whether you are cutting for hay, baling silage or grazing multiple stock types, mixed swards give you options. 

If you are exploring organic, regenerative, or premium markets – diverse forage systems show they can improve income stability and market adaptability. 

Forage systems play a vital role in building climate-smart farms. 

Deep-rooted and perennial species, like chicory, store more carbon in the soil which helps your farm contribute to net-zero goals.  

Good soil structure under diverse swards means better water infiltration and less runoff. This keeps nutrients where they belong and supports plant growth during dry spells.  

Diverse forage systems tick boxes across your whole farm system – from healthier soils and livestock to reduced costs and stronger environmental credentials.