East Lothian Monitor Farm investigates cover crop establishment and performance

Establishing cover crops in Scotland can be difficult due to the short drilling window of optimal conditions. Now, a new trial at the East Lothian Monitor Farm is investigating the best method of establishing a cover crop, and looking at what mixes will work best. As part of the project, an open Monitor Farm meeting at Bielgrange Farm near Dunbar on Monday 13 January will discuss grazing cover crops.

The meeting, which starts at 9.30am, will hear from farmer Niall Jeffrey and a grazier about the costs, benefits and drawbacks of grazing cover crops for both parties. Tom Fairfax from Mindrum Estate in Northumberland will also discuss how cover crops affect the soil, and how to tell whether there is a soil benefit on your farm; he is encouraging attendees to bring a soil sample to examine under his microscope on the day.

Attendees will hear more about the cover crop establishment trial on the East Lothian Monitor Farm at Castleton, the latest project underway in the ‘Farmer-Led, Farmer-Driven’ Monitor Farm Scotland programme. It has come about after discussion across the network identified cover crop establishment as an issue.

Maura Wilson, regional adviser for the Monitor Farm programme said: “Many farmers want to establish cover crops but are finding it a real challenge as the window for drilling and successful establishment is so slim because of our later harvests.”

Last year, the East Lothian Monitor Farm direct drilled cover crops which grew, so were not a total crop failure, but there was not enough substance to merit a sheep grazier using the crop.

This year, the new project will evaluate the effectiveness of different cover crop establishment techniques and seed mixes on soil health and crop productivity. The trial will include nine plots using a variety of establishment methods, and the outcomes will inform best practices for both the Monitor Farm and the wider community.

Establishment techniques have included broadcast and roll; a Bednar disc drill (already used on the Monitor Farm); and a Claydon tine drill. The aim is to identify the most effective techniques for East Lothian conditions, considering factors such as soil type and climate.

The trial will include three simple and cost-effective seed mixes, which are widely used and easy to source:

• Buckwheat 96%, Phacelia 4%
• Buckwheat 60%, Crimson Clover 40%
• Buckwheat 75%, Fodder Radish 25%

“To thoroughly assess the impact of the different establishment techniques and seed mixes, soil tests will be carried out, as well as monitoring key indicators of soil health - rooting depth and soil structure,” added Maura.

“Next steps for the project include the open meeting on Monday 13 January at Bielgrange Farm , and bookings are now open for this. It will be a great opportunity to find out more about the financial and practical implications for both farmer and grazier, and hear from some great speakers on the topic.

“Ideally the next steps for Castleton will be to look at which establishment method and seed mixture works the best in the trial and hopefully over next winter to introduce a grazier to the farm.

“The ultimate goal is to provide practical, evidence-based recommendations for our East Lothian Monitor Farm, and for the wider farming community.”

• East Lothian Monitor Farm open meeting – Monday 13 January, starting at 9.30am with tea/coffee and bacon rolls at Bielgrange Farm, Dunbar, EH43 1SY. Booking: https://allthingscovercrops.eventbrite.co.uk