Sward quality and yields of grassland in a dairy farm with reduced fertilizer N rates

The objective of this study was to explore under farming conditions the effect of reduced fertilizer N application rates on the dynamics of botanical composition and yields of grass-clover-swards. In both temporary and permanent grassland the percentage of highly productive grasses (good grasses) declined at a constant rate of 3.0 to 6.3% points y‑1 during the aging of the sward. Good grasses were replaced by less-productive grasses and herbs. The percentage of clover did not show a significant trend. Reduced N fertilization did not significantly change these dynamics. The percentage of white clover and, in some cases, high-yielding grasses in the sward, enhanced the yields of nitrogen and herbage dry matter, while the percentage of herbs reduced yields