Written by Charlotte Cunningham
Cover crop strategies – designed to protect margins, capitalise on farm payments and maximise environmental benefits – are essential, according to AHDB-funded research. Charlotte Cunningham reports. The ADAS-led research highlighted the short-term gross margin effects of including cover crops in the rotation. Cover crops were associated with an average gross margin loss of £150/ha across two consecutive arable cash crops. The work also identified ways to strengthen cover and cash crop performance in the first few years, which will help farmers develop successful long-term rotational strategies. The research follows an AHDB-funded review of cover crops that identified the requirement for long-term cover crop experiments, based on common treatments and assessments. The ‘Maxi cover crop’ project used three replicated, large-plot field experiments and four tramline trials on commercial farms across England (various soil types) to investigate seven cover crop species – as straights and mixtures – and an untreated control (weedy stubble). The work included assessments of soil properties, cover crop rooting and the performance of two subsequent cash crops (a spring crop, followed by a winter crop). Maximising benefits The researchers confirmed that early establishment (before September) is important to maximise the benefits of cover crops, particularly to ensure good…
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