Herbal leys are diverse mixtures of grasses, legumes and herbs that support soil health, improve the resilience of grazing platforms and livestock growth rates when rotationally grazed.
This webinar draws on two Innovative Farmers trials which completed in 2025. The first was part of the Farm Net Zero project in Cornwall, and monitored differences in milk yield and quality between cows grazing a conventional ryegrass sward and those grazing a herbal ley. Find out more about the Field Lab.
The second investigated the impact of a longer rest period/taller sward height on soil health characteristics, particularly soil fungi, bacteria as well as other physical and chemical characteristics: Find out more here
This session aims to explore the findings and results of the trial and discuss herbal leys in a wider context, including species and seed selection, establishment, soil health, grazing and management approaches, animal health impacts and practical outcomes for dairy farms. Hear from farmers, researchers and advisors trialling herbal leys, and watch a short film from one of the host farms.
Agenda
12.00: Introduction
12.05: Herbal leys and their impact on dairy: background to the milk quality field lab, and the dairy industry context.
- Andrew Brewer, dairy farmer
12.15: Results of the milk quality field lab on linking herbal leys with milk quality
- Dr Daniel Enriquez-Hidalgo, University of Bristol
12.30: Short Q&A on the trial and results
12.40: Learnings from the tall grass grazing field lab
- Tom Gregory, dairy farmer
12.55: Herbal leys and their link with animal health and welfare
- Kate Still, Soil Association
13.05: Herbal leys in a dairy context - what to consider
- Hannah Jones, Farm Carbon Toolkit
13.15: Q&A and discussion
13.30: Webinar ends
We encourage attendees to bring their questions to the panel through the Q&A, where there will be plenty of time for discussion.
Book your place here: Herbal Leys and Dairy Webinar Tickets, Fri, Jan 23, 2026 at 12:00 PM | Eventbrite
