Cover Crop Mixtures

Structure Improver

Sowing rate: 20kg/acre

This mixture is designed to break up tight, compacted soils using species with large root systems. The aim of Structure Improver is to leave the soil with a friable structure in the spring for the following crop.

• Oats

• Mustard

• Tilage Radish

Sowing dates: July-mid September

Nitrogen Fixer

Sowing rate: 20kg/acre

This mixture is designed to fix nitrogen with the inclusion of vetch and fit into the rotation on farms which include oilseed rape or oats in their rotation.

• Rye • Vetch

Sowing dates: July-mid September

Summer Booster

Sowing rate: 5kg/acre

This mixture is more of a catch crop designed to improve fertility in a short period of time. The crop can be incorporated or grazed in as little as 8 weeks allowing a winter cereal to be established after another winter cereal.

• Red Clover

• Crimson Clover

• Egyptian Clover

• Buckwheat

• Forage Rape

Sowing dates: June-mid August

Straights

Mustard

Sowing rate: 8kg/acre

Mustard is one of the quickest growing, green manuring species and is very good at suppressing weeds. Mustard can also be used as a biofumigant to control pests in the soil. It is not frost tolerant and will break down through the winter leaving it easy to incorporate.

Forage Rape

Sowing rate: 4kg/acre

Fast growing leafy brassica, will hold soil through winter and catch nitrogen left over from previous crop preventing it from being leached through the winter. The root system will also help to open the soil and create better structure. It has the added benefit of having a high grazing value.

Phacelia

Sowing rate: 4kg/acre

Fast growing high biomass plant which will prevent nitrogen leaching, suppress weeds and provide feed for pollinators. The dense root system will hold soil and improve structure into layer of the soil.

Vetch

Sowing rate: 15kg/acre

Vetch is a legume which will fix nitrogen for the following crop. Its smothering growth habit will suppress weeds, improve soil structure and provide valuable forage for livestock.