Cover Cropping
We actively support sustainable farming techniques that improve soil health, protect biodiversity and reduce environmental impact.
An increasing number of our contracted growers are using cover crops and environmental seed mixes each season to retain nutrients, enhance soil structure and boost on-farm biodiversity – and we can supply these seeds through McCreath Simpson & Prentice (MSP).
In addition, all our Farm Traders are FACTS-qualified, enabling them to provide expert advice on fertiliser use and support growers in improving their nutrient use efficiency – helping them get more from their inputs while reducing losses.
It’s part of our long-term approach to building resilience and sustainability on farm.
Our technical team have been trialling cover crops for many season at our spring barley variety trials site at Beal Farm in Northumberland.
Unlike in the past, when the fields would lie in stubble over winter, they’re now sown with a mix of species such as radishes, vetches and rye.
This shift has allowed us to build a clearer understanding of the impact of cover cropping within malting barley rotations and, from our research, we’ve identified three key learnings to date:
1. Species selection matters
Different cover crops bring different benefits. For example, brassicas help break up compaction and offer grazing potential, phacelia supports soil structure without the clubroot risk of brassicas, while vetch adds nitrogen while improving topsoil structure.
2. Lower nitrogen use possible
Our trials show a 10kg N/ha reduction in fertiliser application is achievable while still meeting malting barley specifications. The cover crops help retain nutrients over winter and return them to the soil when incorporated.
3. Timing is key
The date of sowing strongly influences the success of cover crops. In milder, drier autumns, establishment is stronger and benefits are greater. Wet years, like autumn 2024, showed reduced cover crop performance.
These findings have helped us – and the growers we work with – make better-informed decisions.
Through MSP, we are offering bespoke cover crop mixtures featuring species that work best in particular crop rotations or farming practices.
These mixtures are produced in-house at our grass seed blending plant, which is located at our Tweed Valley Maltings headquarters.
