This discussion was recorded with the NIAB and AgriEcology teams in early June 2020, from the NIAB Cereals soil pit stand and the NIAB Innovation Farm demonstration area at NIAB in Cambridge, exploring alternative breaks in arable rotations from cover crops, to longer terms covers of living mulch and leys. Exploring 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.
Featuring NIAB's Nathan Morris on cover crops and living mulches, George Crane on mycorhizzal associations; Dr Lydia Smith and Patrick McKenna on herbal leys and Bangor University's Emily Cooledge on the benefits for animal health and collaboration between arable and livestock farmers. James Alexander (Litchfield Farm, Oxfordshire / PrimeWest) also shares his experiences of putting this into practice in both organic and conventional systems. James has been innovating with cover crops, living mulch and leys and is working in collaboration with a sheep farmer.
This virtual event was a collaboration between Agricology, NIAB and CFE. Learn more about cover crops, living mulch and leys at www.agricology.co.uk