Performance of mixtures of ryegrass cultivars and prairie grass with red clover cultivars under two grazing frequencies

Seasonal production of six grass‐legume mixtures comparing the ‘Grasslands’ red clover cultivars Hamua, Turoa, and Pawera, and the grasses Matua prairie grass and Tama, Manawa, and Nui ryegrasses, was measured under two frequencies of grazing by sheep. Infrequent grazing increased annual dry matter production by 35% relative to frequent grazing. All mixtures showed a marked shift of dominance from grass in spring to red clover in summer, which gave high herbage growth rates for a large part of the year. The Nui‐Pawera mixture yielded most and its grass‐legume composition was the most stable at both grazing frequencies. Frequent grazing markedly reduced production and survival of Matua prairie grass. Pawera red clover yielded more than Turoa and Hamua at both grazing frequencies. Hamua yielded markedly less under frequent grazing and Turoa yielded less with infrequent grazing. Where yield of sown cultivars was low, total yield was compensated by increased yield of unsown species.