The objective of CSAM2 | SAM2 | SW6 is to protect the soil surface, provide root growth that benefits soil structure, reduce nutrient leaching and to support soil biology.

To comply with this action, you must establish a multi-species cover crop which will not be harvested as a ‘cash crop.’ A ‘cash crop’ means a crop grown to be harvested for commercial use.

The seed mix must contain at least two species from 2 or more of the following plant families:
• Brassicas
• Legumes
• Cereals or Grasses
• Herbs

This should be planted straight after harvest to ensure it is well-established ahead of the winter months.

This is a superb stewardship option and is currently funded at £129 per hectare. With increased emphasis on soil quality, it is a good option for many farmers. We have all the seed here as straights so we can mix bespoke mixtures to suit your specific requirements. The mixture choice will be led by the overall crop rotation, with factors such as brassica break crops coming to the fore. Generally, we will consider the following factors before designing a cover crop mix.

• What’s your budget?
• Are there brassicas in the rotation?
• Are there legumes in the rotation?
• What’s your soil type?
• How will the crop be established?
• How are you wanting to establish the following cash crop?
• Are you grazing the crop over-winter?
• What’s the drilling date?

Once these questions have been discussed we can put together a suitable mixture. A common mix is phacelia, buckwheat and fodder radish. This offers strong rooting at all levels of the soil; fast establishment and it generally fits in nicely within an arable rotation.