[arobwk]

I've allowed neighbours to take a hay/haylage crop off of my Field 2 for a few years now with diminishing returns for them (as I won't allow them to fertilize).  Now the field is predominately plantain-rich rather than rye-rich:  I wasn't expecting plantain to become a dominant "weed", but I'm happy that the rye is on the way out to make my future tree plantings easier to maintain.  My closest neighbour has asked whether he can cut Field 2 - I replied ... "of course, but there's very little grass content to be had".


Is plantain-rich sward good fodder or is he just doing me a good favour (he does actually owe me one, but nice to know)?



   

[SallyintNorth]

Plantain is one of the good plants to have in meadow hay.  Helps livestock manage their worm burdens. 

[arobwk]

Plantain is one of the good plants to have in meadow hay.  Helps livestock manage their worm burdens. 

Interesting _ tell me more re plantain please !

[Bywaters]

My hay yield dropped over time due to far too much plantain and yellow rattle. Yellow rattle is a parasite which feeds / destroys grass root systems (from what I have read)
My yield went from 120 bales down to 75. I had no option (not enough land ) but to do a little judicious spraying and then oversow.
I still have <15 different plants in the field but, 3 years later, yield up to over 100 bales again

A little is ok but it takes over , in time

[Penninehillbilly]

Are we talking broad leaf plantain, or narrow leaf plantain, or are they classed the same? I've seen broad leaf good for various things, but never see narrow leafed mentioned?

[arobwk]

Are we talking broad leaf plantain, or narrow leaf plantain, or are they classed the same? I've seen broad leaf good for various things, but never see narrow leafed mentioned?

No idea Penninehilbilly (broad leaf versus ...).