Resilient cropping systems
Cover crops / Forage crops
Growing consecutive (or even continuous) barley crops presents multiple soil and crop health related problems. Growing cover crops (e.g. rye/oats/vetches/forage rape/mustards/turnips) during the otherwise unproductive winter fallow period (between spring barley crops) is a regenerative approach, which offers multiple benefits provided by keeping soil covered and maintaining living roots year-round i.e. remediating or preventing erosion, compaction and nutrient leaching.
Cover crops can also be treated and used as forage/fodder crops for livestock thereby reducing the need for imported feed and fertiliser, whilst improving the nutritional status and health of the livestock. Cover crops also play a role in enhancing biodiversity both above and below ground.
In collaboration with Scotland’s Rural College (SRUC), this project aims to identify cover crops/forage crops and establishment methods that are suited to the Highlands and Islands facilitating an increase in cover crop cultivation.
Capital funding for this project is provided by the Islands Centre for Net Zero.
Demonstration trials and engagement events supported by Mains of Loirston Charitable Trust.
