Mixed sward management is highest in the North East

Mixed swards are grassland consisting of two or more species. Benefits of multi-species swards can include increased resilience to extreme weather events like drought and biodiversity.  

Of holdings managing mixed sward areas, 37% of grassland area on average is managed as a mixed sward. Respondents from North East of Scotland have the highest proportion of their grassland in a mixed sward (51% of the grassland was managed in this way).

While the North East has the highest proportion of grassland in a mixed sward, the region also has the smallest average grassland area per holding (93 hectares per holding compared with 160 hectares for all respondents). The South West has the largest average mixed sward area per holding (71 hectares per holding compared with 59 hectares for all respondents). Differences between regions would also depend on farm type and land suitability.  

Figure 4: Percentage of grassland managed as a mixed sward by regions of Scotland.