1. To determine whether species-rich (high biodiversity) mixtures have better production than species-poor (low biodiversity) mixtures in the first 2 years from establishment, and
2. To apply this information to recommendations to the seed industry for commercial seed mixtures, and to farmers for recommendations for new pasture sowing

• located at the Donn Scott Research Farm, Columbus OH
• planted spring 2001, replanted fall 2001
• Crosby silt loam
• Grazed by cattle (occasionally sheep)
• measurements of composition and yield will be made during 2002-2004

• AMPAC Seed Company $6,000
• OARDC Industry Small Matching Competition $6,000

1. We found a positive relationship between species number and forage production, however, the highest yielding treatment in most seasons and sites had only 1-2 species. The identity of the highest yielding treatment(s) varied between sites and seasons.

2. We concluded that although maximum forage yield might occur for 1-2 species mixtures of the best adapted species, the difficulty in predicting which species to use, and variation in the best species between spring and summer, suggests forage production might be most consistently maximized from planting more complex mixtures of up to 12 species.

3. Species-rich mixtures can result in high forage production, BUT…….. the choice of species, climate and management can result in simple mixes of 1-2 species with even better production.

4. New pasture species chicory and festulolium have high production under grazing in Ohio.

• M. A. Sanderson, D. J. Barker, G.R. Edwards, B. Tracy, R. H. Skinner, D. Wedin (2003) Plant species diversity and function of temperate forage and grazing land ecosystems. Crop Sci. (submitted)
• Barker, D.J.; R.M. Sulc, A. Deak, M.H. Hall, M.A. Sanderson, and T.L. Bultemeier. 2003. Performance of pastures with high and low species richness in northeast USA. American Forage and Grasslands Congress Proceedings 12:172-176.