Simulating farm system implications of incorporating plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) into dairy pastures across four regions
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.33584/jnzg.2026.88.3877Abstract
Understanding the farm system impacts of narrowleafed plantain (Plantago lanceolata L.) is important for supporting farmer adoption to reduce nitrogen (N) leaching from pastoral farming. This modelling used observed herbage accumulation rates and nutritional composition data from pastures across New Zealand comprised of perennial ryegrass
(Lolium perenne L.) and white clover (Trifolium repens L.) without plantain or with plantain at 11% to 32% (averaging 25%) of sward DM. Regional dairy farm systems were simulated using the Whole Farm Model and Urine Patch Framework to investigate the implications of plantain mixed pastures for pasture yield, milk production, profitability, N leaching,
and greenhouse gas emissions. Inclusion of plantain did not impact milk production and maintained or slightly increased pasture yield. Operating profit averaged $11/ha (1%) lower with plantain due o changes in the seasonal pasture supply curve, requiring additional conservation of surplus pasture and additional supplementary feeding during feed deficits. Inclusion of plantain reduced N leaching by 11% to 19%. The reductions in N leaching without significant negative trade-offs make plantain an attractive option for wide-scale adoption. Farmers should consider the potential for changes in seasonal pasture supply and the need for regular re-sowing of plantain due to low persistence in most perennial ryegrass-white clover swards.
Downloads
Downloads
Published
How to Cite
License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.
Copyright
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-Non Commercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International License. Rights granted to the New Zealand Grassland Association through this agreement are non-exclusive. You are free to publish the work(s) elsewhere and no ownership is assumed by the NZGA when storing or curating an electronic version of the work(s). The author(s) will receive no monetary return from the Association for the use of material contained in the manuscript. If I am one of several co-authors, I hereby confirm that I am authorized by my co-authors to grant this Licence as their agent on their behalf. For the avoidance of doubt, this includes the rights to supply the article in electronic and online forms and systems.
