Why multi-species swards matter in 2026

As farmers look for practical ways to improve resilience, interest in multi-species swards and herbal leys continues to grow.

For many livestock farmers, 2026 has been a challenging year. A dry spring and prolonged hot weather have put grass growth under pressure across much of the UK.

Large areas of England are now officially in drought, with concerns growing around forage supplies, crop growth and livestock water availability.

While no grassland system is drought-proof, years of research and on-farm experience suggest that diverse swards can help businesses cope better with increasingly variable weather conditions.

Unlike traditional rye-grass-only leys, multi-species swards combine grasses, legumes and herbs such as chicory and plantain.

Deep-rooting plants can access moisture from further down the soil profile, while legumes can reduce reliance on manufactured nitrogen fertiliser.

Together, these species can help create a more resilient and productive grassland system.

One of the key advantages of multi-species swards is their ability to support healthier soils.

A diverse root structure can help improve soil condition, increase water infiltration and encourage biological activity. In a year like 2026, where every drop of rainfall matters, improving the soil's ability to absorb and retain water can make a real difference.

The benefits extend beyond soil health. Multi-species swards can also produce high-quality forage that supports livestock performance.

Our grazing assessments showed:

• 39% higher forage production from the Germinal GS4 mix compared with the Home Mix (5.3 vs 3.8 t FW/ha)
• Up to 18% higher lamb growth rates on the best-performing multi-species swards
• More than double the liveweight gain per hectare from the highest-performing mixes compared with the Home Mix
• The best-performing mixtures produced higher crude protein levels, helping support livestock performance
• Multi-species swards containing legumes and herbs showed improved resilience during a dry year of 2022, with trial rainfall of just 577 mm compared with a long-term average of 629 mm
• Seed mix choice and establishment were identified as critical factors influencing performance and profitability

Enterprise comparisons have also demonstrated the livestock performance potential of multi-species swards:

• Grass-only beef systems: 0.8–1.0 kg/day liveweight gain
• Multi-species sward beef systems: 0.9–1.2 kg/day liveweight gain (compared with 0.9–1.0 kg/day on rye-grass-only swards)
• Grass-only sheep systems: 0.20–0.30 kg/day liveweight gain
• Multi-species sward sheep systems: 0.25–0.35 kg/day liveweight gain

Many farmers are interested in herbal leys but are unsure where to start. Questions around species selection, establishment, grazing management and long-term performance are common.

To help you get the best from these systems, we're helping cover the cost of the BASIS herbal leys and multi-species swards course (50% discount), making it more affordable for levy payers.

The online course is designed to fit around day-to-day farm life, allowing you to study at a time that suits your schedule while gaining practical, evidence-based knowledge you can apply on farm.

• Why herbal leys deliver for soil, livestock and your business
• How to choose the right species and seed mixes
• Best practice for establishment and management
• Grazing and cutting strategies that deliver results

The course provides practical advice on how to establish, manage and get the most from multi-species swards and herbal leys while helping you understand how these systems can improve forage production, grazing performance and farm resilience.

Discover how multi-species swards could help improve forage production, support livestock performance and build greater resilience into your grazing system, helping your farm make every drop count.