Incorporating plantain into a perennial ryegrass-white clover mixed sward for an environmentally sustainable dairy system: A three-year farm system study

Abstract

Over three production years (2021–2024), this study investigated the effects of incorporating plantain into a perennial ryegrass–whiteclover (RGWC) mixed sward on dairy farm productivity and environmental footprint. Seventy-two Friesian × Jersey cows wereallocated to six farmlets across two replicated herbage treatments (n = 3): RGWC with no plantain (PL0) or RGWC plus 3 kg/haof plantain seed (PL3). Farmlet production data were used to estimate profitability using the FARMAX model and the environmentalfootprint using the OverseerEd model. Plantain content in PL3 averaged 23.5% (±2.31%; SD) in Year 1, 16.8% (±2.46%) in Year 2 and12.3% (±1.12%) in Year 3. Annual herbage production was similar across treatments when estimated by FARMAX (15.7 kg DM/ha)but showed a year × treatment interaction (p < 0.001) when estimated by calibrated rising plate meter. Annual imported silage(1.24 t DM/ha) and milksolids production (1458 kg/ha) were similar across treatments. Farm profitability did not differ between treat-ments (NZD $5800/ha), indicating no economic disadvantage from plantain inclusion. Modelled annual nitrogen leaching was 17.5%lower in PL3 than PL0 (p = 0.032), with no difference in methane emissions. These results suggest that incorporating plantain intoRGWC-based dairy systems can improve environmental sustainability without compromising milk production or profitability