Plantain

Plantain is a grazing herb that grows well across New Zealand and can fit into most pasture-based farm systems

Plantain is a versatile and robust forage option that strengthens pasture performance year-round. With excellent drought tolerance and rapid regrowth, it stays productive when conditions turn dry or unpredictable. Its high mineral content and strong digestibility support better animal health, liveweight gains, and milk production, making it valuable across dairy, sheep, and beef operations.

Plantain could help improve nitrogen efficiency, reducing losses and supporting more sustainable pasture management. Whether sown as a standalone crop or blended into mixed pastures, plantain lifts feed quality, enhances grazing flexibility, and provides consistent, reliable performance—exactly what Kiwi farmers need for resilient, efficient paddocks.

Close-up of green grass and plant leaves in sunlight.

Close-up of green grass and broad-leafed plants with textured leaves, different shades of green.

Plantain palatability can become an issue due to some situations:

Plantain can become less palatable when in advanced seedhead stage
Plantain can become less palatable with low plant nitrogen status
When grazing rounds become too long and plantain leaves are not grazed.. These leaves may not go brown for many months. This leads to "old" leaves with low nutritional value, which become "green skeletons". These leaves attract disease and shorten the life of the plant

Plantain can be managed on a similar rotation length as perennial ryegrass, making it a good fit for the majority of farm mixes

Its ability to improve nitrogen utilisation also makes it a smart addition for farmers aiming to boost efficiency and environmental stewardship. Whether in mixed swards or as a dedicated crop, plantain brings resilience, quality, and flexibility to any grazing system.