Catch and cover crops seminar, Strategic Farm Week – Winter 2020

Over the last year, Brian Barker at the Strategic Farm East and Rob Fox at the Strategic Farm West have used catch or cover crops on-farm and the effects of these on soil structure, nutrient capture, water quality, nutrient release and ease of establishment for the next crop have been assessed.

Brian Barker, Strategic Farm East – Cover crops

This has looked at four treatments – plough, over-winter stubble, plough + cover crops and cover crops + one pass system into stubble. Assessments have included the costs of establishment, biomass through the season, soil structure effects, nitrate, P, suspended solids and pesticides from drainage water.

Rob Fox, Strategic Farm West – Catch crops

Following on from a very difficult autumn 2019, a catch crop (phacelia, oil radish, barley) was established at the farm in May 2020. This has been looked at compared to leaving the land fallow and asses for the soil and crop characteristics to-date and through to harvest 2022.

Join the Brian, Rob and Kate Smith, ADAS research lead, for a conversation to discuss the results from this work to-date. Ask your questions and share your experiences – a practical session looking at the pros and cons of using these features in the rotation, balancing the management, costs and wider environmental aspects to ensure success.

BASIS and NRoSO points available.

This seminar is free to attend and forms part of Strategic Farm Week – Winter 2020.