Plantain is delivering large cuts in nitrate leaching at modest, achievable levels, settling one of the core debates over the herb, DairyNZ senior project manager Kate Fransen says.

The four-year Lincoln University trial measured a 33% reduction from pastures averaging about 12% plantain, with no loss of milk production or profitability.

“It is a bit of a superpower plant,” she says.

Establishing and maintaining plantain costs about $46 a hectare, cheaper than mitigations like cutting stocking rates or changing wintering systems.

“Around a 1% impact on profitability is what we’re finding.”

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