Beyond Ryegrass: How Plantain and Chicory Can Boost Your Sheep's Milk Production
"Discover the nutritional power of plantain and chicory mixes for ewes, enhancing milk quality and sustainability in sheep farming."
For sheep farmers in regions with changing climates, maintaining consistent milk production can be a challenge. Traditional grass-based pastures often suffer from seasonal growth limitations, leaving ewes with less-than-ideal nutrition during critical lactation periods. This can negatively impact milk yield, quality, and ultimately, the profitability of a sheep farm.
But what if there was a way to supplement these traditional pastures with something that not only survives but thrives in less-than-ideal conditions? Research suggests plantain and chicory, two resilient and nutritionally-rich forages, might be the answer. These plants offer unique benefits that can complement grass-based systems and improve overall sheep performance.
This article will dive into a study that investigated the effects of grazing ewes on plantain-chicory mixtures compared to traditional grass-based swards. We'll explore how these alternative forages impact milk production, milk quality, and the overall efficiency of nitrogen utilization in sheep, providing practical insights for farmers looking to enhance their flock's productivity and sustainability.
Current Dairy Context
The USDA Economic Research Service provides monthly, quarterly, and annual statistics and estimates on the U.S. dairy industry, helping users analyze supply and demand factors. Research published in 2019 found that a plantain-and-chicory mixture was an acceptable forage alternative for ewes in mid-lactation during early to mid-spring. The mixture supported milk production without affecting milk quality and improved nitrogen-use efficiency. AHDB Beef & Lamb resources also summarize research and practical lessons on using chicory and plantain in sheep and cattle systems.
From Ryegrass to Mixed Forage
Plantain-and-chicory mixes are presented as an alternative to traditional grass-based pastures, with potential benefits for milk production, milk quality, and nitrogen utilization. Compared with perennial ryegrass, chicory and plantain have a shorter growing period. They are not legumes, so they require a source of nitrogen. The available guidance also reports that chicory's plant population may decline by approximately 30% per year, while both crops remain relatively new as modern livestock forages and few fields had been grown in England at the time of the cited resource.
Plantain and Chicory: A Nutritional Goldmine for Ewes?
A recent study published in "Small Ruminant Research" sheds light on the potential of plantain and chicory as valuable components of ewe diets. Researchers compared milk production and quality in ewes grazing a plantain-chicory mixture (PCH) versus those grazing a traditional grass-based sward (GBS). The results offer compelling insights into the benefits of these alternative forages.
- Maintain consistent sheep milk production.
- Reduce fat content and increase protein levels in ewe's milk.
- Improve the efficiency of protein utilization.
Recent Evidence on Milk Responses
A multilevel meta-analysis found that including forage chicory increased milk yield compared with grass-based diets by a weighted mean difference of 1.07 kg per cow per day, with a 95% confidence interval of 0.54 to 1.60 and p < 0.001. Against other forages such as legumes and herbs, however, the analysis found a similar milk yield, with a weighted mean difference of -0.30 kg per cow per day and p = 0.312. Separate research involved 45 pregnant Polypay ewes assigned to grass or chicory silage, with or without 3.6 mg of selenium per day as selenium yeast or a single prepartum sodium-selenite injection. A cited 2011 study reported that a herb-and-legume mix increased ewe milk production and ewe and lamb live-weight gain to weaning compared with a ryegrass-dominant sward.
Comparisons Across Dairy Studies
The cited comparative literature includes a 12-week lactation comparison of Dorset, Corriedale, and Romney ewes rearing twins. Another study examined 36 dairy cows that were uniform in previous-lactation milk yield and at mid-lactation, grouping them according to the period when they joined the experiment. A third study evaluated seasonal variation in detailed milk composition in 29 New Zealand Friesian and 19 US Holstein heifers grazing pasture or receiving a total mixed ration throughout an entire lactation. These study designs show that breed, lactation stage, management, and feeding system are relevant variables when comparing milk-production results.
The Future of Sheep Farming: Embracing Diversity in Forage
The results of this study highlight the potential of plantain and chicory as valuable alternatives to traditional grass-based pastures for ewes. By incorporating these forages into their grazing systems, farmers can potentially improve milk production, enhance milk quality, and promote more sustainable nitrogen utilization.
Milk Quality Beyond Yield
A study of 28 Polypay ewes tested chicory-plantain silage combined with selenium yeast in lactating ewes subjected to intramammary infection. Its objective was to assess effects on milk yield and quality under that infection challenge. Separate work comparing a plantain-chicory mixture with a grass-based permanent sward emphasized that protein and fat content, as well as fatty-acid profile, are relevant dimensions of milk and meat quality. The study reported a healthy fatty-acid outcome from the plantain-chicory sward comparison.
A Growing Chicory Market
A September 2026 market outlook describes the chicory market sector through indicators including market dynamics, demand drivers, production factors, and industry trends. Mordor Intelligence estimates the global chicory market at USD 0.96 billion in 2026. Its report projects growth at a compound annual growth rate of 6.45% to reach USD 1.31 billion by 2031. These projections concern the wider chicory market, not specifically forage use or sheep milk production.
Resilient Pastures for Sheep Systems
Plantain and chicory have been identified as water-deficit-tolerant species of interest for sheep production systems. Research compared plantain-and-chicory herbage with a grass-based permanent sward for lamb weight gain and meat quality. Other research reports that diverse pastures combining plantain and chicory with red and white clover provide superior annual feeding value for finishing lambs in temperate regions compared with traditionally used perennial pastures. Together, these findings connect pasture diversity and environmental resilience with practical lamb-finishing outcomes.
While this research offers promising insights, further studies are needed to fully understand the long-term effects of plantain-chicory mixtures on ewe health, lamb growth, and overall farm profitability. However, the initial findings suggest that embracing diversity in forage selection could be a key strategy for sheep farmers adapting to changing environmental conditions and seeking to optimize their production practices.
For farmers looking to take the next step, consider consulting with a local agricultural extension agent or forage specialist to determine the best way to integrate plantain and chicory into your existing grazing system. With careful planning and implementation, these resilient and nutritious forages could play a vital role in shaping a more sustainable and productive future for sheep farming.