Virtual Field Day: Cover crops, living mulch and leys @ Cereals LIVE 2020

Author(s): 
Agricology
Date: 
June 2020
Copyright: 
All rights reserved.
Evidence: 
Applied research
Related theme: 
Rotations
Organic matter
Animal health & welfare
Cereals, oil seeds & pulses
Grasslands & forage crops
Crop nutrition & fertility building
People & skills
Key Farming Practices: 
Mulching
Diverse leys
Cover crops
Green manures
Leys

Watch the webinar
Resource explained: 

This is a recording of an event held as part of Cereals LIVE 2020 (held as a virtual event). It was a collaboration between Agricology, CFE and the NIAB team that came in part live from the NIAB Innovation Farm - digging mini soil pits to look at the impact of different leys and covers. It explored what has been learnt about integrating cover crops and next steps to integrating a longer term cover using living mulches and integrating leys. It explored the benefits of more diverse herbal leys in arable rotations and opportunities for both integrating livestock / collaborating with livestock farmers as well as the potential in stockless systems, sharing some of the insights from the SARIC project. It features Nathan Morris (NIAB) -  Cover crops and living mulches; George Crane (NIAB) - Mycorhizzal associations; Dr Lydia Smith and Patrick McKenna (NIAB) - Herbal leys; and Emily Cooledge (Bangor University) - Benefits of livestock integration / collaboration. It also featured James Alexander of Litchfield Farm, who shared his experiences in both organic and conventional systems.

Findings & recommendations: 

Cover crops, living mulch and Leys @ CerealsLIVE2020

Summary provided by: 
Janie Caldbeck

More about the organisation

Championing Farmed Environment CFE

partner Championing the Farmed Environment is a partnership which supports farmers to deliver environmental benefits within a productive farm business. We provide guidance and support to allow more farmers to manage their land in a way which works for their business and the environment. We promote and celebrate the work that many farmers already do to sustain and improve the natural environmental on their farm. Through CFE, farmers can step up to the challenge of protecting the environment on which their farming businesses depend. ​

NIAB

partner The National Institute of Agricultural Botany provides independent science-based research and information to support, develop and promote agriculture and horticulture. NIAB’s work helps the industry to fulfil its potential in supplying food and renewable resources, whilst respecting the natural environment.

You may also be interested in

The End is Nigh, The End of Nitrogen

resource Footage of a discussion held at Groundswell 2022, organised by Agricology, about the impacts of reduced nitrogen use and ways in which farmers are moving...
Type, texture & structure, Compaction & cultivation, Rotations, Organic matter, Soil biology, Weeds, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Grasslands & forage crops, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Business management, People & skills

Herbal Leys Virtual Field Day: Parts 1 & 2

resource This is part 1 and 2 of a collaborative 2-part series of virtual events exploring establishment, management, soil health, grazing and ensiling in relation to herbal leys.
Type, texture & structure, Compaction & cultivation, Drainage, Rotations, Organic matter, Soil biology, Weeds, Animal health & welfare, Grasslands & forage crops, Crop nutrition & fertility building, People & skills, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity

Herbal Leys Webinar Series

resource AHDB Beef & Lamb & British Grassland Society Footage of four webinars exploring issues surrounding herbal leys; a collaboration between the AHDB and British Grassland Society.
Compaction & cultivation, Organic matter, Weeds, Animal health & welfare, Grasslands & forage crops, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Business management, People & skills, Climate

Including diverse leys in arable rotations

resource Organic Reseach Centre Practice abstract created as part of the DiverIMPACTS project outlining some of the many advantages to more complex mixtures of leguminous leys and some of...
Compaction & cultivation, Rotations, Organic matter, Weeds, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Crop nutrition & fertility building, People & skills, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity
Phacelia and honey bee

Agroecology in Action

resource Landworkers' Alliance This publication from the Landworkers' Alliance highlights what pioneers of agroecology in the UK are doing to create a productive and sustainable agriculture. The case...
Integrated farming, Conservation agriculture, Organic farming, Biodynamic farming, Agroforestry, Permaculture, Rotations, Organic matter, Soil biology, Animal health & welfare, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Grasslands & forage crops, Roots & horticulture, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Business management, Markets & food systems, Natural resources & waste, People & skills, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity, Climate, Communities & education

Livestock on diverse leys: a return to the past for a promising future

resource Organic Research Centre ORC Bulletin article reporting on farmers that have been combining diverse leys with livestock and some of the pros and cons of this practice revealed...
Drainage, Rotations, Organic matter, Weeds, Animal health & welfare, Grasslands & forage crops, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Natural resources & waste, People & skills, Pollinators & ecological services

Reducing Greenhouse Gas Emissions at Farm Level The Go-To Guide

resource Produced by Innovation for Agriculture in association with Eunomia Research and Consulting on behalf of the WWF/Tesco partnership Practical, easy-to-use guidance to help farmers reduce their greenhouse gas footprint. Offering actions for all UK agricultural sectors, it aims to be both environmentally and...
Compaction & cultivation, Organic matter, Animal health & welfare, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Grasslands & forage crops, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Business management, Buildings & machinery, Natural resources & waste, People & skills, Biodiversity, Climate

Integrating leys in arable rotations

resource ORC / GWCT / LEAF / OF&G / Soil Association / SRUC / Agricology - as part of Defra Project OF03111 Organic Management Techniques Integrating leys in arable rotations can provide multiple benefits including weed management, soil health and pollinator habitat provision.
Integrated farming, Rotations, Soil biology, Weeds, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Grasslands & forage crops, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Pollinators & ecological services, Biodiversity

No-till with living mulches - the holy grail for arable?

resource Northern Real Farming Conference / Soil Association This webinar (part of the 2021 Northern Real Farming Conference and hosted by the Soil Association) explores growing a low growing permanent cover crop such...
Rotations, Organic matter, Soil biology, Weeds, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Buildings & machinery, People & skills, Biodiversity

Ley of the Land: Integrating Leys in the Cropping System - Lydia Smith, NIAB

resource Agricology / Oxford Real Farming Conference Video footage filmed at the ORFC 2019 of Lydia Smith from NIAB explaining a project helping to explore soil quality through re-integration of leys and...
Type, texture & structure, Compaction & cultivation, Organic matter, Soil biology, Beef cattle & sheep, Cereals, oil seeds & pulses, Grasslands & forage crops, Crop nutrition & fertility building, Markets & food systems, People & skills