Multispecies Swards
Ryegrass-only swards are input-heavy and weather-sensitive.
Multispecies swards improve soil, cut inputs, and boost resilience to drought and climate change.
The Climate Issue


The Solution: Multispecies Swards
Key Benefits when using Protected Urea
Lower Emissions
With lower fertiliser needs and improved nitrogen cycling, MSS reduce direct and indirect emissions, especially N₂O and ammonia.
Resilience
MSS are more drought-tolerant than ryegrass. They keep growing in dry conditions, protecting milk yield when rainfall is scarce.
Animal Intake
High-quality forage with better palatability and minerals improves dry matter intake and can enhance milk solids.
Impact of implementing Multispecies Swards
- Cut nitrogen fertiliser by 70–100 kg/ha
- Lower GHG emissions by 5–10 %
- Improve drought tolerance and soil structure
- Maintain or improve milk solids per hectare

Scenario
|
Area under MSS
|
Fertiliser Savings / 50 ha
|
GHG Emissions
|
% GHG Reduction
|
---|---|---|---|---|
0% MSS |
- |
- |
0.960 kg CO₂-eq/kg milk |
0% kg CO₂-eq/kg milk |
50% MSS |
25 ha |
€2,200 |
0.916 kg CO₂-eq/kg milk |
4.6% kg CO₂-eq/kg milk |
100% MSS |
50 ha |
€4,400 |
0.876 kg CO₂-eq/kg milk |
8.8% kg CO₂-eq/kg milk |
Considerations
Establishment
MSS require careful sowing. Best results come from full reseeds with low weed pressure, pH 6.3+, and good P and K indexes.
Grazing Management
Frequent grazing helps maintain herb and clover content. Avoid overgrazing or long rest periods to support species balance.
Persistance
Some herbs may fade after 3–4 years. Reseeding or oversowing may be needed to maintain diversity and performance.

Implementation
- Choose the right mix. Use a balanced seed mix with ryegrass, red and white clover, plantain and chicory. Avoid aggressive ryegrass dominance.
- Reseed carefully. Sow into warm, moist soil in spring or early autumn. Maintain high soil fertility and avoid compaction.
- Manage grazing. Start grazing when covers reach 1 200–1 400 kg DM/ha. Rotate frequently and avoid letting covers exceed 2 000 kg to preserve herb content.
Behind the Research
ODOS Tech was founded by Cian White and Alejandro Vergara, two sustainability specialists with deep expertise in agricultural climate action.
Cian, a researcher at Trinity College Dublin with a background in environmental science, works on restoring nature to increase biodiversity on farms by using satellite images to track trees, hedgerows, and other habitats. Alejandro, a PhD researcher at University College Dublin, helps farmers measure their carbon emissions footprint and implement mitigation strategies to reduce their impact.
Together, they helped lead the carbon and nature-based work for the Farm Zero C project at Shinagh Farm, one of Europe’s first net-zero dairy pilots. At ODOS, they build smart, science-based tools to help agri-food businesses protect the environment and restore nature.

Research
Teagasc Grass Trials
Farm Zero C at Shinagh
Shinagh Farm introduced MSS to improve drought resilience and soil health. Fertiliser inputs dropped, and pasture quality remained high during dry periods.
EU and CAP Support
MSS are included in several CAP eco-schemes due to their co-benefits for biodiversity, emissions, and water quality. Many governments now offer incentives for adoption.
Ready to reduce emissions with Multispecies Swards?
Talk to our Carbon Footprint & Biodiversity experts on how we can help.