Ecotain®

Ecotain^® in grass mixes for dairy production

Adding Ecotain® to dairy pastures can significantly increase milk production. Figure 1 demonstrates a 2L/cow/day increase in milk production when cows grazing low quality ryegrass were supplemented Ecotain^®.

Ecotain^® improves palatability in late spring and summer when grass goes reproductive, improving pasture utilisation.

The rapid rumen degradation time of Ecotain^® allows cows to spend less time ruminating and more time eating, increasing feed intake and  milk production.

Ecotain® has been shown to reduce nitrate leaching by up to 89% in lysimeter studies.^* Benefiting your
farm and the environment.

*Reducing nitrogen leaching losses in grazed dairy systems using an Italian ryegrass-plantain-white clover forage mix. Woods RR, Cameron KC, Edwards GR, Di HJ, Clough Tim J (2018) Grass Forage Science 73:878–887

Ecotain^® forage systems can increase sheep liveweight production. The winter activity of Ecotain^® allows farmers to lamb ewes or maiden hoggets on high quality forage, resulting in heavier lambs and ewes at weaning. Four separate trials have shown Ecotain^® increased lamb weaning weights by 10 to 34%.

Livestock tend to be healthier on Ecotain®, due to elevated levels of important minerals (Zn, Cu, Se, MG, Ca, K). Ecotain^® stands have also shown anecdotal evidence of less dags on sheep and a reduced risk of facial eczema spore.

The winter activity of Ecotain^® is exceptional. Our Ballarat research farm showed that Ecotain^® can produce up to 3000kgDM/ha more than other plantain varieties from May - September.

This feed is some of the most valuable produced during the year and is crucial for the success of Ecotain^® based farm systems.

Ecotain^® has the ability to recover quickly from long dry periods once it receives moisture, getting to a grazable mass very quickly. This autumn recovery can provide quick feed while grass paddocks regrow.

The ability of Ecotain^® to survive dry periods makes it a great 2-3 year option in 600mm+ rainfall environments where a high quality forage is required from autumn to late spring/summer.

Ecotain^® suits grazing management similar to perennial ryegrass. To maximise production and quality, rotationally graze on a 20-25 day rotation in spring.

Rotations of this length will minimise seed head build up. Sheep rotations of 35 days or more can reduce palatability. Pre grazing residuals should be 12 -15cm and should be grazed down to 3-5cm before stock are removed. Cattle rotations can be longer as the fibre content is beneficial and they are less selective.

Ecotain^® can be set stocked at lambing time, but ewes and lambs should be put onto a rotational grazinFresh Ecotain® growth is highly palatable and is preferentially grazed. It suits grazing management similar to ryegrass, with potential yields like that of perennial ryegrass. Ideally  a 20-25 day rotation will maintain seed head palatability through late spring and summer. A grazing rotation of  greater than 40 days can lead to a reduction in palatability, particularly of older leaves.

Older leaves do not brown or  break down as fast as grass species and can stay in the sward for months, becoming more fibrous. Post grazing residuals of 2-4 cm are quite sustainable as long as the pastures are not set stocked at these levels for extended periods.g system after marking.

The following shows recommended rates of Ecotain^® with various grasses such as Savvy cocksfoot, Hummer tall fescue, One50 perennial ryegrass and Knight Italian ryegrass.

Ecotain® 5kg/ha: Knight Italian ryegrass 15kg/ha

Ecotain® 5kg/ha: Savvy cocksfoot 8kg/ha

Ecotain® 5kg/ha: Hummer tall fescue 15kg/ha

Ecotain® 5kg/ha: One50 AR37 perennial ryegrass 15kg/ha

Ecotain® 4kg/ha: Titan 5 Lucerne 8kg/ha

Ecotain® 8kg/ha: Mainstar forage rape 2kg/ha

Ecotain® is a fast-establishing, productive and persistent winter active forage, suited over a wide range of soil types and climatic conditions. This includes less fertile soils and dryland regions (minimum average rainfall of 600 mm).

Ecotain® can be prone to damage by red legged earthmites and slugs, especially at establishment. To help minimise damage, Kickstart® seed treatment is recommended  and slug bait if required. 

Ecotain® can be established either by:

• Sowing into cultivated ground
• Broadcasting - from ground or air
• Mulch sowing - into summer grass
• Oversowing - drilling into existing pasture/lucerne