How to pick the right cover crop mix this autumn

Interest in cover crops in the UK has been on a steep upward trajectory for several years, driven by their ability to right some of the environmental wrongs in cropping systems.

As research money is ploughed into the practice of cover cropping, evidence of these environmental benefits is being reinforced and other bonuses are beginning to emerge, too.

These include yield benefits for following cash crops, with recent findings suggesting a 0.5-0.75t/ha yield boost can be expected in spring and winter cereal crops following the use of cover crops.