Selecting the right game cover seed is one of the most important decisions when preparing your shoot for the season ahead.
The crops you establish now will influence how well birds hold, the quality of habitat provided and the overall success of the shoot.
With the running costs of shoots continuing to rise, choosing the right game cover crops and establishing them correctly has never been more important. Careful planning and crop selection can help maximise performance while avoiding unnecessary costs.
Start by Defining Your Goals
Before selecting a game cover seed mixture, it is important to consider what you want your cover crop to achieve.
When choosing game cover crops, several key factors should be considered:
- The size and layout of the land
- The number of birds you plan to hold
- Whether you are holding pheasant or partridge
- The location of drives and release pens
Assess Your Soil and Site Conditions
Before planting any game cover crop, it’s important to understand your soil and site conditions. These factors play a major role in determining which crops will establish successfully.
Before planting, take the time to assess:
- Soil type and structure
- Drainage levels
- Previous cropping history
- Existing vegetation
Looking at crops that already grow well on the land can often provide a good indication of which game cover crops will perform successfully.
Taking the time to prepare your soil properly and choosing the right crop can make a huge difference to how well your cover establishes.
Speak with an adviser today to request your soil sample kit and get expert guidance on improving your soil health.
Popular Game Cover Seed Mixtures
Certain mixtures remain consistently popular due to their reliability and performance.
Among the most popular game cover seed mixtures with Bright Seeds customers are:
Pheasant & Finch
These mixtures are designed to provide strong cover, good holding ability and effective weed management.
For game maize, our flagship variety Flightpath continues to be a trusted option. This strong-standing maize variety has been relied upon by shoots for over 25 years due to its consistent performance and dependable results.
Use a Mix of Annual, Biennial and Perennial Crops
A strategy we regularly recommend is dividing your shoot area between annual, biennial and perennial game cover crops.
This approach offers several advantages:
- Spreads risk if one crop underperforms
- Reduces the need to re-drill every year
- Helps manage seed and contractor costs
- Creates a more diverse habitat for wildlife
For example, if a biennial crop is already established in part of the shoot, it reduces the need for drilling the following year, helping to lower establishment costs.
It can also be beneficial to align your crop choices with SFI (Sustainable Farming Incentive) or Countryside Stewardship Schemes, although not all perennial mixtures are compatible with stewardship options.
Timing Is Critical for Successful Establishment
Weather conditions can have a major impact on crop establishment. In recent seasons, persistent weather changes have made drilling conditions particularly challenging.
However, one factor remains consistent: the most successful crops are planted at the right time.
The best results are typically achieved when:
- Soil temperatures have warmed sufficiently
- There is adequate moisture in the seedbed
- Soil conditions allow for good seed-to-soil contact
Because many farmers and contractors are managing heavy workloads, drilling windows can often be tight. Taking advantage of suitable weather windows and planning ahead with contractors can make a significant difference.
Common Mistakes When Establishing Game Cover Crops
One of the most common mistakes growers make is failing to identify the weed burden before planting.
Understanding the types of weeds present helps determine which game cover seed mixtures will allow effective weed control.
For example:
- If the area contains a high level of grass weeds, it is important to choose crops that allow for grass weed herbicides.
- If broadleaf weeds such as Fat Hen are present, selecting mixtures that allow broadleaf weed control is essential.
This is one reason why mixtures such as Grass Buster and Broad Buster are popular choices.
Another issue that can limit crop performance is soil compaction, particularly when growing crops such as game maize or sorghum. These crops struggle in compacted soils and may establish poorly if the soil structure is not suitable.
Finally, impatience can lead to poor results. Planting too early before soil conditions are right often results in weaker crops and lower performance later in the season.
Reliable Game Cover Seed Mixtures from Bright Seeds
At Bright Seeds, we are continually developing and trialling new mixtures to ensure growers have access to the most effective crops available.
All of our varieties are thoroughly trialled at our Wiltshire demonstration site before they are released, ensuring they perform reliably in real field conditions.
Our mixtures are designed to provide:
- Strong and consistent crop establishment
- Effective weed management options
- Reliable cover for holding game birds
- Long-term habitat benefits for wildlife
Choosing the right game cover seed and establishing it correctly can make a significant difference to the success of your shoot.
If you’re unsure which game cover seed mixtures are best suited to your land, our team is always available to help.
Speak with one of our advisers today to request a soil sample kit and get expert guidance on your game cover this season.
People Also Ask
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What is the best game cover crop for poor soil?
On lighter or poorer soils, hardy crops such as sorghum, millet, mustard and fodder radish tend to establish more successfully. Selecting a game cover seed mixture designed for challenging conditions can help improve establishment and provide consistent cover.
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How tall should game cover crops grow?
Most game cover crops should grow between 1.5–3 metres depending on the crop. Maize and sorghum can grow particularly tall and provide excellent structure for holding birds and creating strong drives.
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Do game cover crops help wildlife?
Yes. While primarily planted for shooting, game cover crops also provide valuable habitat for wildlife. They offer food and shelter for insects, pollinators, farmland birds and small mammals, helping improve biodiversity across the farm.
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What is the best time to plant game cover crops in the UK?
Most game cover crops in the UK are planted between April and June, depending on soil temperature and weather conditions. Crops perform best when planted into warm seedbeds with adequate moisture.