Table 1.

The advantages and disadvantages of growing forage crops in mixed systems.

Mixed cropping
Advantages	Disadvantages
Soil nutrient availability-each species may have different strategies to mobilize nutrients	Grow rates and optimal harvest date can differ
Pathogen and pest susceptibility is different	Specialist equipment may be needed
Legume can supply N	Competition for resources
Stem support in canopy	One species may host pathogens
Root depth for water access and improved soil structure	Monitoring more than one species at a time to keep up with needs