The role of plantain (Plantago lanceolata) on East Coast dryland: results from three farm case studies

Abstract

Three on-farm sites where plantain was sown with legumes and/or perennial ryegrass were monitored for 2 years post-sowing. On two cultivated sites in Hawke's Bay, newly sown plantain/clover pastures produced 20% and 22% more dry matter, respectively, than newly sown ryegrass/clover or established pastures. On an uncultivatable site in coastal Wairarapa, aerially oversowing of plantain and clover resulted in 282% more dry matter than resident pasture on north faces. Plantain pastures had higher clover contents and lambs had faster growth rates and higher dressing-out percentages than lambs finished on traditional ryegrass/clover pastures. Plantain and a mix of annual and perennial clovers offer a promising alternative to ryegrass-based systems in dryland. As with lucerne, plantain and erect annual clovers need to be rotationally grazed to prevent damage to the crown and growing points. The success of these alternative forages in dryland farming systems will depend on farmer willingness to embrace new grazing management techniques. Keywords: forages, plantain, arrowleaf clover, Persian clover, balansa clover, white clover, red clover oversowing, live weight gain.