MULTI-SPECIES SWARD APP

The Multi-species Sward App has three functions: to help with the identification of 17 common herb, grass and legume species, to provide comparisons of species functional traits (e.g. digestibility, persistence, drought tolerance etc.), and it has a function for monitoring the composition of a sward over time. There are also associated cards available to download for those without Android devices.

The Multi-Species Sward app has been developed to provide farmers with easy-to-access information about herbal leys and to help them to identify and monitor different species within their leys.

The app and card set with enable you to:

Determine the relative benefits of 17 common grasses, herbs and legumes
Compare different species
Guide you through the field survey process
Monitor species establishment
Identify what is growing within your ley using a simple identification key
Monitor species persistence throughout the life of the ley
Monitor Countryside Stewardship legume and herb-rich sward options (GS4).

APP FEATURES

Simple tap-through plant identification keys

Information about 17 grass, legume and forb (herb) species

Functional traits scoring system

Step-by-step surveying of fields

Field-recording of sowing dates, soil types and species sown to herbal leys

The survey function enables users to compare what was sown with what grows, and is intended to help farmers and advisers record what establishes and persists in their particular farm conditions. This information can provide an evidence base for decision-making, and can help with the design of future mixes, thus ensuring that only species that will thrive are sown, saving the farmer money in the long run and increasing the success of future swards.

HOW TO INSTALL THE MOBILE APP

The app is currently only available on Android but we aim to produce a version for Apple users in the future. Visit the Play Store and search for ‘sward app’ (blue chicory icon).

HOW TO OBTAIN THE CARD SET

For those without Android devices, the card-set is available as a printable and e-book version of the mobile app.

Download your copy below.

E-card set

Printables

Mobile app

VIEW THE CARDS

Please note: Question marks indicate that there was insufficient data available to score that particular trait for that species; more research is required. Download the references used to score the traits here