DLF Ecotain™

    Ecotain™ is a natural, environmentally friendly forage solution to mitigate N leaching from the urine patch – up to 89% depending on the sward blend*

    Introducing the new technology in N control

    Ecotain™ combines four modes of action that work together to significantly reduce N leaching from the urine patch up to 89% depending on sward blend*.

    DLF is the world's leading breeder of grass and, through their research, has found a forage solution to mitigate N leaching from the urine patch.

    Agriculture, and dairying in particular, has been identified as one of the key contributors to increased N in rural waterways. When you get down to it, there is primarily one aspect that has a major impact – and that is N from urine patches.

    Accurate application of nitrogen fertiliser and responsible spreading of effluent assist in reducing the amount of N entering groundwater, but by far the majority of N leaching comes from the urine patch.


    UP TO 90% OF THE N LEACHED TO GROUNDWATER ORIGINATES FROM THE URINE PATCH

    To date, controlling the N in the urine patch has been difficult and reducing the N fertiliser application rate has been seen as the most practical solution. Managing N better in Ireland is a major issue going forward, and Ecotain™ provides a solid solution for farmers. Ecotain™ is an excellent example of a high quality, productive forage plantain.

    NITROGEN MANAGEMENT WITH THE POWER OF 4

    HOW IT WORKS
    Ecotain™ combines not one, but four modes of action that work together to significantly reduce N leaching from the urine patch.

    1. DILUTE

    Ecotain™ environmental plantain has diuretic properties which increases urine volume and therefore decreases urinary N concentration. Animals urinate more frequently which spreads the urine patch across a greater area. In addition Ecotain™ generally has a higher water content than ryegrass – which also increases the volume of urine the animals produce and further dilutes the N content.

    2. REDUCE

    Typically, the more N contained in the feed, the more N is present in the urine and is recycled back into the soil via urine. However, Ecotain is diferent in that it reduces the total amount of dietary N being excreted in the urine, compared to ryegrass diets. Studies show that at equal N intake, Ecotain™ diets will result in less total N released in urine compared to ryegrass diets.

    3. DELAY

    Urine patches from animals represent up to 90% of the N lost through leaching in the grazing system. The amount of N in a typical urine patch far exceeds what plants are able to uptake. Using Ecotain™, the N excreted in urine becomes slow release – its conversion from ammonium to nitrate is delayed, allowing plants a longer period to uptake N which therefore reduces the risk of N leaching.

    4. RESTRICT

    The amount of N in a typical urine patch far exceeds what plants are able to uptake. Using Ecotain™, the N excreted in urine becomes slow release – its conversion from ammonium to nitrate is delayed, allowing plants a longer period to uptake N which therefore reduces the risk of N leaching.

    AGRONOMICS

    • Positive impact on milk production when grass quality drops in summer
    • Also ideal for undersowing or broadcasting on to damaged pasture
    • Can be grazed to deliver 100% of the diet

    DRY MATTER PERFORMANCE

    • Very similar DM quantity and quality to ryegrass pasture
    • Can add value in terms of both drymatter and quality to any farming system
    • Contributes invaluable DM production, typically at times of the year when ryegrass and other species, e.g. white clover, are not performing.

    Ecotain™ is in all DLF Multi-Species Mixtures and can be included in DLF 4N Grazer and DLF Grazer Grass Seed Mixtures

    The Al & Juddy Show

    Ecotain™ - the only Environmental Plantain

    “It’s pretty exciting science when you can find four separate functions, all working towards a common goal.”
    There’s been a lot of chatter about Ecotain™ and its benefits to the environment, so Al and Juddy have jumped on to cover how it works to help solve some of the environmental problems that farmers are facing. They will also talk about how you can get it to work on your farm and how you can use it to achieve the functionality that may be required going forward."

    Listen here

    For more information on DLF Ecotain™, please contact Dr Thomas Moloney, DLF Technical Manager tmoloney@dlfseeds.ie , telephone 087 396 1265. For media enquiries or interviews, please contact moloughlin@arvumgroup.ie.